Fall 2020
Innsider News from Pine Street Inn
A ‘Bridge’ to Housing
Pine Street Inn has moved 180 residents out of a temporary shelter at a Suffolk University dormitory and into a building at 891 Massachusetts in Boston, to align with the CDC’s social distancing recommendations, helping ensure the continued safety and well-being of our guests. In the spring, Pine Street worked with the Boston Public Health Commission and City of Boston to move men and women from our main shelter into temporary housing at a Suffolk University dorm to reduce congestion and increase social distancing. These efforts have made an overwhelming difference, resulting in a current under 1 percent positive COVID-19 rate among our guests, in contrast to 36 percent earlier in the pandemic.
Bedroom at 891 Massachusetts Avenue
The dorm was a short-term solution, and following an intensive search to secure longer-term accommodations, Pine Street leased space at 891 Massachusetts Avenue as a “bridge” to permanent housing. Each of the building’s 90 rooms will house two guests, primarily frail and vulnerable men and women with underlying medical conditions. (Continued on page 2)
Mother and Daughter
Share Their Gratitude Ancilla, 67, and her mother, Mary, 86, are two of the guests who have moved into the 891 Massachusetts Avenue building. They are relieved and grateful for the space, quiet and social distancing that is possible in the suite they share. Each room has a bed, a desk and a bureau. “My mother is right next door to me,” says Ancilla, “and we’re able to have a mini-fridge for her medications. It’s very comfortable here.” They once owned a home in Revere, but after Ancilla had multiple
surgeries on her legs and knees, she could no longer work in security at the airport and their house was eventually foreclosed. Mary is blind in one eye and losing her sight in the other, and has additional medical issues. They have been homeless for two years. On an afternoon shortly after moving in, Mary was working on a puzzle after Ancilla returned from a doctor’s visit. “I like to keep busy,” says Ancilla, explaining that she reads, does craft projects and sings with her mother most mornings.
Ancilla and her mother, Mary, in their room
“I pray for housing every day.” The space at 891 Massachusetts Avenue has made an impact across all of Pine Street Inn’s shelters. Thanks to this new location, our four shelters are less crowded and able to comply with (Continued on page 2)
From the
President
As we have grappled with the COVID-19 pandemic, we at Pine Street Inn have also joined the painful national reckoning with systemic racism. We are acutely aware of this issue as Black people are disproportionately represented among those experiencing homelessness, here in Boston and nationwide. Those of us who are not Black or Brown cannot know what it is like to face systemic racism and its impacts on a daily basis.
We know we have work to do, both inside our agency and as advocates for social justice, and have committed ourselves to working with our guests, tenants, staff, volunteers and board members who live with the indignities and violence of racism. We know that some of these conversations may be painful, but necessary to address systemic racism, advance racial justice and to do the work to become an anti-racist organization.
How do we go forward? We make a commitment to listen to each other, even though it may be difficult to have these conversations. We make a commitment to equity by working to change the systems that send so many into homelessness. And most of all, we keep doing our core work helping people move off the streets, out of shelter and into the stability and hope of housing. This is one way to translate our commitment to racial and social justice into action. Recently, we engaged a consultant with expertise in this area to guide us with this work. Our exploration of this complex issue will begin by creating a safe and open space to talk about these issues and the many ways they shape our lives. We envision this as the first step in an ongoing process that will build on our existing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion practices, as well as our broader work at the individual, organizational and policy levels. We know that we must move forward around these issues – we cannot go back. I am especially grateful to you for your ongoing support and commitment to Pine Street Inn. Thank you for standing with us, for being part of our community, and for helping make Boston a better place for all of us.
(‘Bridge’ to Housing, continued from page 1)
“Pine Street’s goal has been to move men and women off the streets, out of shelter and into permanent housing, and the COVID-19 pandemic has made this even more urgent. We cannot go back to our pre-COVID-19 conditions, with overcrowded shelters,” said Lyndia Downie, President and Executive Director of Pine Street Inn. “Depopulating shelters along with other measures, including masks and handwashing, have made an overwhelming difference as we have
tested guests over the past few months.” As part of the move, Pine Street will provide specially trained housing placement teams, also located at the space, to work with each individual to develop a housing plan and work toward a permanent housing placement, aiming to house all residents within 12 months. In addition, Pine Street will provide around-the-clock staffing and security at the new location.
(Mother and Daughter Share Their Gratitude, continued from page 1)
social distancing recommendations. “Having this space for our guests has made all the difference,” says Lyndia Downie, President and Executive Director. “We are more determined than ever to reimagine shelter and ramp up housing options.”
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Digital Literacy Training
Goes Virtual
With the upheaval of COVID-19, Pine Street’s Workforce Development team pivoted its digital literacy training programs from the classroom to a “virtual” online format. Now, staff and trainees in our Food Services and Housekeeping job training programs meet via Zoom to learn vital skills like how to send emails and search for jobs online.
Flora, iCater Trainee “It was a really useful class! I learned about setting up a separate email [address] for work-related things, as opposed to personal, and about writing and editing my resume using a template. It helped a lot with my confidence toward applying for jobs.”
Tai Irwin, Job Placement Specialist Pine Street Inn “Digital literacy can be the key that unlocks access to work in our world. It can seem like an impenetrable barrier, and we work as a team with our trainees to knock down or minimize as many of those barriers as possible.”
Don, iCater Trainee “I don’t know anything about computers, all of this is totally new to me. You don’t fill out job applications on paper anymore, so if you don’t know how to do it online you’re out of luck!”
Directors of the Becker Foundation for Education and Development, Donors “The COVID-19 pandemic is fundamentally reshaping America’s employment landscape, amplifying the roles of digital literacy. We are grateful for the opportunity to work with Pine Street Inn to ensure that their Workforce Development Program trainees have the skills and technology necessary to compete in this rapidly evolving marketplace for jobs.”
Howard Perlstein, Volunteer, Founder and Instructor, Make Your Change Count™ “The digital divide is real. Bridging it is challenging for anyone, and even more so for Pine Street trainees. As they work to build new and better lives, we teach digital literacy because we do not want unfamiliarity with technology stopping them. We teach digital literacy today so trainees can become whoever they want to be tomorrow.”
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Meet Janet,
A Longtime Supporter Janet has been part of the Pine Street community for many years. A loyal donor since 1989, a monthly Innkeeper donor since 1995, and a Paul Sullivan Society member (donors who remember our guests and tenants in their estate plans), she has also Janet has included Pine Street volunteered in the kitchen helping to prepare meals for Pine Street’s guests, and in her estate plan wrapping gifts around the holidays. Now retired, she had worked for Eversource for many years and feels extremely grateful for her home, her family and her good fortune. “I believe strongly in Pine Street Inn’s mission and their commitment to ending homelessness in Boston,” she says. “The scope of the work is really eye-opening, and I am moved every time I come here,” she continues. Through her IRA, Janet has found a way to share her good fortune with others. She is particularly aware that by making a gift through her IRA to Pine Street, “the funds go to those who will benefit most.” Several years ago, Janet revised her estate plan to include charities that are most important to her, and Pine Street Inn was among those included. Janet understands the importance of helping Pine Street build a foundation for the future, as she shares her compassion for others by ensuring the organization continues to advocate for solutions to homelessness. We are extremely grateful to Janet for her thoughtful generosity.
“Pine Street Gave Me Hope”
A Conversation with a Former Guest and Current Donor “Years ago, I had an argument with my father and he threw me out of the house. I was 16 years old at the time. For the first few days I just walked around, and someone on Boston Common said, ‘You can stay at Pine Street Inn.’ It was really cold, and Pine Street let me in to sleep. The next day, one of the guys said, ‘There’s a day labor place where if they pick you, you work for the day.’ I went there and got chosen – it was really hard work, but I made $20 that day. I bought food and a night at a seedy hotel and had about $10 for the next day. And that’s how it started. There were many nights I had to go to Pine Street. If I didn’t get chosen for work, I would go to the Boston Public Library. I learned everything there, philosophy, physics ... when I got a little bit ahead I got my GED. That was the beginning, I was proud of myself. Eventually, I
saved enough for a vehicle and some tools and started a business doing small repairs. Little by little, I saved enough to afford an apartment, but I always felt there was a ‘wolf at the door.’ I got my licenses and became a pretty successful contractor. I had a reputation for honesty, but then I could almost tell there was a downturn coming. Before it could happen, I moved to New Orleans where I met my wife. We worked together and bought a home that I fixed up. Then she passed. With my wife gone and everyone self-isolating [because of COVID-19], my mind started wandering back. I was trying to think of what I should be grateful for in my life. That led me to thinking of Pine Street Inn. Without Pine Street Inn, I don’t know if I would have had enough hope. It made a difference. And I thought that if I could, I should [give to Pine Street].” -Anonymous
We are grateful for the donors in our Pine Street community. If you wish to share why you support Pine Street, please contact Lisa Feeley at lisa.feeley@pinestreetinn.org
Wish List for Tenants
Thanks to donations from our Amazon Tenant Wish List, Pine Street’s housing staff are creating packages filled with food and games for tenants in our permanent supportive housing. Our tenants are grateful that the community is thinking of them. To donate to the Tenant Wish List, please visit pinestreetinn.org/covid-19-update.
Donations from Amazon Wish List
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Thank You!
We are extremely grateful to our extraordinary community of supporters, who have stood with our guests and tenants during the public health emergency of COVID-19. Thank you to the 5,944 individuals, corporations, foundations and partners who have supported the COVID-19 Emergency Services Fund, and to everyone who increased their annual donations or made other special gifts to help us respond to the pandemic. Thank you to all who donated masks, gloves and hand sanitizer, wrote cards and sent flowers, and donated meals for guests, tenants and our heroic frontline staff!
COVID-19 by the Numbers (March-July)
1,619
Individuals supported agencywide
Guests universally tested in Pine Street shelters
Guests who tested positive for COVID-19
Gift cards distributed to tenants for food
Items purchased from our wish list for our housing tenants
Meals prepared daily
Volunteer hours lost
Mask donations
Phone calls in which staff helped people secure alternatives to shelter
Glove donations
Shelter guests moved to 891 Massachusetts Avenue
Essential frontline staff working each day
Many partners donated in-kind supplies, meals and services. While we do not have the space to highlight all these generous partnerships, below are a few! Boston Medical Center: over 2,500 face masks; Life Science Cares: over 600 “boredom buster” games, puzzles and art supplies; Pine Street Board of Directors: over 200 gift cards for frontline staff; LAZ Parking: parking lot at Suffolk University for our staff; Sandymount Technologies:over 20 cases of hand sanitizer; Fairmarkit: 8,000 masks; Flour Bakery+Café: baked goods for guests; Off Their Plate/South End Feeds: over 3,000+ meals for our frontline staff; Row 34: over 1,000 meals for our tenants; Old Town Trolley Tours of Boston: transportation for our guests to the Suffolk dorm; GateGourmet and Project Isaiah: over 5,000 meals and additional snacks for our tenants; Hope & Comfort: over 7,800 toiletry items; Ninety Nine Restaurant & Pub: provided over 400 meals for shelter guests each month; Boston BullPen Project: donated activity books and supplies to shelter guests.
Comella’s Restaurant delivering food for our guests and tenants
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Community Friends Generous Partner Pine Street Inn is honored to have partnered with Blue Cross Blue Shield’s Women-In-Network (WIN) group who sent a wonderful lunch to our Women’s Inn. Over 40 guests and staff enjoyed a delicious meal consisting of salad, pizza and beverages, all provided by the team. Thanks again, Blue Cross Blue Shield!
Outreach Needs Due to COVID-19 we have seen an increased need for street outreach bags. We greatly appreciate donations of the following: • • • • • • • • • •
Razors Deodorant Mini alcohol-free hand sanitizer/wipes Lip balm Socks Granola bars Water bottles $5-10 gift card to Stop & Shop, McDonald’s, Dunkin’ Hand warmers Masks
Pine Street staff enjoy BCBS food donation
Holiday Update While this year’s holiday service at Pine Street will be different, we are looking forward to still sharing the holidays with volunteers, staff, tenants and guests. Please stay tuned for volunteer opportunities, both virtual and on-site. To find out more about upcoming opportunities, contact volunteer@pinestreetinn.org or 617.892.9184.
Virtual Marathon Although the Boston Marathon® was canceled, that did not stop some of our dedicated runners from participating in the virtual run. Over the course of a week, three of our runners completed their own 26.2-mile virtual marathon, choosing their own course and tracking their time! We are honored to be a charity partner agency with John Hancock and appreciate the time and effort our team put into fundraising during a very challenging year.
Outreach staff prepare to distribute Outreach needs
Join the Winter Walk Save the Date Sunday, February 7, 2021, at 8:30 A.M. In addition to the two-mile Boston walk, a virtual walk is being planned. The Walk enables participants to see the world through the eyes of homeless men and women during the cold of winter. If you have any questions or want to register, please contact Lisa Feeley, lisa.feeley@pinestreetinn.org.
Innsider Published three times a year by the Development and External Affairs Department Pine Street’s 2020 virtual marathon runners (photo taken pre-COVID-19)
Pine Street Inn 444 Harrison Avenue Boston, MA 02118 General Information: 617.892.9100 Donations: 617.892.9170 Volunteers: 617.892.9184 www.pinestreetinn.org
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