Meet Our Graduates

Each year, Friends of Boston’s Homeless helps more than 150 formerly homeless men and women move beyond homelessness to lead independent lives in our community.  Every June, we celebrate the individuals who have graduated our transitional programs and our on their way to independence. Let us introduce you to just a few who have graduated this summer:

• Doris fled an abusive marriage.  In her 60’s, with nowhere to go and only a sixth grade education, she sought shelter, safety and support at our Nine Valentine Street Women’s Housing Program.   She participated in our Project Lighthouse Adult Education Program and received her High School Diploma.  She is now living at our 12-14 Wise Street Permanent Affordable Housing Program, volunteering at a local community center for families in crisis, and will begin her studies in information technology this fall at Roxbury Community College.  She also rebuilt her relationship with her children and enjoys spending time with her daughters, grandchildren and her new great grandchild!

• Henry was a professional; a nurse, firefighter, and EMT.  He was also an alcoholic.  He eventually lost all his professions, and finally, his home and family.  He came to our One Wise Street Transitional House where he received the support he needed to overcome his addiction.  After two years, he moved into 12-14 Wise Street, got a new job, and began studying for his Masters in Biotechnology at UMASS.  He also reunited with his son and the two of them are living in their own apartment in South Boston.

• Jack is from a hard-working family.  He started experimenting with drugs in high school and getting in trouble with the law.  Estranged from his family, he ended up on the streets and eventually came to Long Island Shelter where he met one of our case managers.  She got him into counseling, therapy and a supportive living environment at Project SOAR and then at One Wise Street.  He worked hard on the issues that led to his homelessness, and on rebuilding his relationship with his father.  He’s now in his own apartment.  This summer, he will take over his father’s window cleaning business where he employs others in our transitional programs who are also working on achieving their independence.

• Donna is not your typical graduate. Her husband not only beat her up, but also gambled away everything they owned. She entered our Project SOAR Transitional House where she received the support and safety she needed to put the pieces of her life back together. She also entered our Project Lighthouse Adult Education & Literacy Program, got her GED, learned how to write a resume and interview for a job. She moved to our Valentine Street Affordable Housing Program, graduated from the Red Cross Home Health Aide Program and had her first job interview in her lifetime with Brigham and Women’s. Donna is 47.

• Andrew spent 18 years on the streets and in and out of prison. He entered our Serving Ourselves Job Training Program and got his first job in our shelter’s kitchen.  He also began taking classes at UMASS Boston and earned his Bachelor’s degree.  Last fall Andrew became one of the first residents of our Affordable Housing Program, 12-14 Wise Street and received a full scholarship to Boston College where he is now studying for his Master’s in Social Work.