Creating a Welcoming Space

A group of dedicated volunteers, including corporate partners, individual supporters and board members, recently transformed 99 newly renovated apartments in Dorchester into welcoming homes for individuals moving out of homelessness.

Volunteers set up kitchens, bathrooms and living spaces with everything from pots and pans to shower curtains and fresh bed linens.

This hotel-to-housing conversion, with preference given to tenants aged 62 and older, is Pine Street's 40th residence. With this addition, Pine Street now owns and/or operates 1,200 apartments with support services in Boston and Brookline.

See Pine Street's newest residence.

Holiday Gifts Bring Joy to Shelter Guests

Earlier this month, volunteers came together to make the holidays brighter for Pine Street’s shelter guests. One hundred volunteers and supporters joined staff to wrap more than 2,800 gifts of hats, gloves and sweatshirts to keep guests warm throughout the winter.

The FBN Construction volunteer team distributed these gifts during the annual gift-giving event at the Men's Inn. Guests enjoyed holiday music, cookies and refreshments as they received their presents. Thank you to all who participated in bringing comfort and cheer to our guests during the holidays.

See more highlights on Pine Street's Instagram.

"Court of Second Chances" on GBH

Pine Street President Lyndia Downie and Judge Kathleen Coffey, retired head of Pine Street’s Homeless Court, recently spoke with Boston Public Radio’s Jim Braude and Margery Eagan. They discussed the impact of Homeless Court, a specialty court aimed at resolving misdemeanors and low-level felonies that can impact people’s ability to obtain employment and housing.

"It’s the court of second chances," says Lyndia. "We bring a case in front of the judge, who can expunge people’s records if they show a commitment to working on their issues, and it opens the doors to jobs and housing. It’s a way to incentivize people to move ahead."

"Pine Street recognizes a person’s need is not just shelter; it's addressing justice issues that interfere with people moving forward with their lives," says Judge Coffey.

Watch the full interview on YouTube.