Have you ever asked a child what they wanted to be when they grew up? How many of those children ever answered, "homeless?" The unhoused people we see on the streets of Cambridge were all children once, whose hopes and dreams never included living on the street.
Homelessness can happen to any of us: It impacts veterans, LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC youth, adults, and families, people with physical and mental health complications, etc. Luck is the only difference between our unhoused neighbors and any one of us. And with the cost of housing rapidly increasing and wages never rising fast enough to keep up, more people are experiencing homelessness every day.
People experiencing homelessness often appear unwashed or as if they’re struggling with mental health and/or substance dependence issues because it’s impossible to maintain physical and emotional health without the safety, stability, and resources of a permanent home. People experiencing homelessness are also impacted by yet-to-be-healed trauma, including the extreme trauma of homelessness.
The purpose of the Unhoused Neighbors Project is to introduce you to our amazing, kind, insightful, capable, resilient, unhoused neighbors throughout Cambridge who, hopefully with your help, will be able to finally stabilize, heal, and thrive in the safety and comfort of a permanent home.
We want to thank all of the unhoused members of our community who trusted all of us with their stories. Cambridge, it is our pleasure to introduce you to your unhoused neighbors.
Marc McGovern, City Councillor and Social Worker
Eva Tine, Social Worker, Photographer, Advocate
LYLE
Lyle was born and raised in Cambridge. He grew up in the Riverside neighborhood with his parents and his five siblings (4 brothers and one sister). Lyle attended the Cambridge Public Schools but dropped out in the 10th grade. He said that school was challenging for him, and he felt that it would be better if he worked. As a child, Lyle wanted to grow up to be a professional athlete, either a baseball player or basketball player. He said that his favorite childhood memories were playing Little League and basketball with his friends. Lyle said that he had many heroes as a child, “mostly anyone who were nice and treatment me well. I really like kind people.”
Lyle said that he often panhandles to make money and that it’s nice when people say “hello” to him, but “I don’t get to upset if they ignore me. Maybe it’s a bad time for them, or they have something on their mind. It’s nice to be noticed, but I know people are busy.”
Quick Facts About Lyle:
- Lyle said his favorite quote is: “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.”
- Lyle’s favorite food is Chinese.
- Lyle’s favorite music is Salsa.
- Lyle describes himself as: “Friendly, humble and polite.”
PAULINE
Pauline grew up on Pleasant Street in Cambridge with her mother and 5 sisters. She attended Cambridge Public Schools and graduated from CRLS. As a child, Pauline wanted to be a flight attendant, “Because I love flying, I love people and I always wanted to travel the world.” Pauline has been homeless for ten years due to some “hard times and bad luck” but hopes to find housing soon. Pauline described herself as “resilient and a fighter” and “spontaneous, friendly and loving.” Pauline wants folks to know that it means a lot to her when people say, “hello” and don’t ignore her.
Quick Facts About Pauline:
- Favorite Food: Seafood and Italian
- Favorite Movie: Cinderella
- What she likes to do for fun: Bowling, pool, sitting on the beach and hiking
- Favorite Childhood Memory: “When my uncle would dress up like Santa Clause and visit us on Christmas Eve.”
- What She Wants People to Know: “Don’t assume that everyone on the street is dirty, uneducated or using drugs. I don’t. Many of us don’t. We all have stories and aren’t much different then people who have homes.”
RENE
Rene was born in Port-a-Prince, Haiti and immigrated to the United States when he was ten years old. He grew up in Brookline with his parents and four siblings. Rene graduated from Brookline High School and went on to attend Bunker Hill Community College and Emerson. Rene has had many jobs, including being an after school teacher at the Margaret Fuller House, right here in Cambridge, being a DJ at the Phoenix Landing and being a music producer. After some financial difficulties and losing his home, Rene ended up homeless and is trying to find new housing.
Quick Facts About Rene
- Favorite Food: Caribbean and Chinese
- Favorite Music: “All types. I’m a music man.”
- Favorite Movie: Trading Places
- Three words that describe him: “Patient, hospitable and a hard worker.”
RONALD
Ronald grew up in Boston with his mother, stepfather and 6 siblings (5 brothers and 1 sister). Ronald attended public school through the METCO program until the 8th grade, when he left school in order to work to help support his family. Ronald hoped to be a professional football player, as he was a star running back in Pop Warner as a child and went on to play semi-pro football. Ronald’s best friend growing up was his German Shepard, “TJ”, who followed him everywhere. “I loved that dog. He was always with me.”
Quick Facts About Ronald
- What makes him smile: “Friendly people, good weather and people saying “Hi”.
- Favorite music: Motown (“Music just isn’t the same anymore.”)
- Favorite book/movie: “The Bible and the Godfather.”
- Three words that describe you: “Friendly, spiritual, and polite.”
- Favorite food: “Chicken wings from 7-11.”
- What do you want people to know about you: “I’m friendly. I’m not scary and I’m not looking for pity, just a little help now and then.”
SAM
Sam grew up in Beverly, Massachusetts with his parents, twin sister, and younger brother. His family lived on a houseboat until he was 16 years old. Sam attended Patton Vocational High School where he learned sheet metal, HVAC, landing him a job as a foreman right out of high school. Sam said that he has always tried to work, including jobs as a chef, baker, foreman, carpenter, and laborer. Sam loves to fish.
Sam said that a good day for him includes “Waking up and knowing that I’m alive. When that happens, everyday is a good day. From then on, it’s what you make of it.”
Sam said that he wants people to know that not all unhoused people are struggling with drugs or mental illness. That people are unhoused for many different reasons, and people shouldn’t make assumptions.
Quick Facts About "Sam"
- He describes himself as “Caring, kind and full of love.”
- His heroes as a child were the characters from the “Outsiders” (because they all took care of each other.)
- What makes Sam smile: “to see people happy, especially the elderly.”
- Favorite music: “Rock and Roll, soul, some country. I love Sinatra, Loretta Lynn and Patsy Cline.”
- Favorite books/movies: The Outsiders and mysteries
- Sam’s favorite food: “Prime rib, pot roast dinner”
SUSAN
Susan grew up in Westminster, Vermont with her parents and siblings. She graduated from high school an always wanted to be a veterinarian as an adult. A perfect day for Susan would “be no wind or cold. A sunny day with an abundance of food.” Susan said that her goals include finding housing for herself and her husband and finding a job to support her family. She wishes that more people would interact with her and offer help. Susan describes herself as "Kind, friendly and respectful.”
Quick Facts About Susan
- Childhood Hero: Robinhood
- What Makes Her Smile: Friendly faces, kindness and animals
- Favorite Music: Most music except opera and classical
- Favorite book/movie: Marley and Me and Ted
- Favorite Foods: Shepard’s Pie and ice cream
- What does she want people to know: “I need support with housing and money for food. I don’t like having to ask for money.”
ALICIA
Alicia grew up in Brockton and Randolph and lived with her mother, but eventually entered foster care. She has four brothers and one sister. Alicia attended high school, but dropped out due to issues at home. She went on to earn her GED. When she was a child, Alicia wanted to grow up to be a veterinarian because she loved animals and still has a little dog today. Alicia goals include “Being the best person I can be everyday” and finding housing. Her perfect day would include sitting by the pool on a hot day with a frozen drink. Alicia describes herself as “Quiet, friendly and sympathetic” and says that she wants people to know that she isn’t scary and to “interact with me like a regular person.”
Quick Facts About Alicia
- Favorite food: Tacos, macaroni and cheese, cheeseburgers and pizza
- What makes Alicia smile: her child, her dog, and her cat
- Favorite music: A mix of all genres
- Favorite book/movie: Save the Last Dance, Burlesque, A Child Called It, The Town
- Favorite childhood memory: “Going to all kinds of restaurants with my dad.”
Charles and Charlene
Charles and Charlene are a couple. Charles was born in Cambridge and graduated from CRLS. Charlene grew up in Wisconsin. Charles wasn’t sure what he wanted to be when he was a child, but Charlene always wanted to be a lawyer. Both Charles and Charlene have siblings. Charles describes himself as “Funny, smart and cool” and Charlene describes herself as, “Loyal, honest and caring.” Both would like people to educate themselves more about the unhoused and support the homeless community.
Quick Facts About Charles and Charlene
- Favorite music: Charles: Reggae/ Charlene: “Music that makes me relax.”
- Favorite Book/Movie: Charles: “Think and Grow Rich”/ Charlene: “Heat”
- Favorite Food: Charles: Chinese/ Charlene: Mexican
- Childhood Heros: Charles: Superman/ Charlene: Her mom and dad.
JOE
Joe grew up in Belmont with his parents and two siblings. He attended the Belmont Public Schools and graduated from Belmont High School. Joe said that as a child he didn’t know what he wanted to be when he grew up because he was interested in many different things. His heroes included, “Luke Skywalker, and Dr. Who.” He said that he just tried to be “well read” and learn everything he could
Joe said that he had trouble keeping a job and was eventually evicted, which put him on the street. He said that a perfect day for him includes good weather, making enough money to eat, and people being kind. He said that he hopes to see more affordable housing being built and that government “shouldn’t be afraid to tax the rich more.” If he could wave a magic wand he would want “A society with a better commitment to community. More getting along with each other.”
Quick Facts About Joe
- Joe’s favorite foods: Ice cream and lasagna
- Joe’s favorite music: “I like electronic music, hardcore, the Grateful Dead, Tool and 90’s music.”
- What makes Joe smile: “Reading something interesting. Finding money.”
- Favorite books/movies: “I really liked The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov for a book, and for movies I liked all the Star Wars movies, but JaJa Binks sucked.”
- Joe’s personal goals: “Find housing, finishing up some projects I started and learning more.”
- Joe wants people to know that when they see him around, “go ahead and say, “hello”. Maybe toss a buck in my cup.”
- Joe wants others in the community to have “More understanding and to be kind.”
- Joe said three words that describe him are: “Well read, witty and understanding.”
JOVI
Jovi grew up in Amesbury with her parents and sister. She had a “normal upbringing” and played field hockey, softball, and basketball as a child. Jovi graduated from Amesbury High School and then enrolled at North Shore Community College where she studied Medical Administration. Jovi has been on the streets of Cambridge for approximately ten years. She said that her college and career got derailed when she started using drugs and that “drugs just get a hold of you. You think you can handle it, but then you can’t, and you lose everything.” Jovi stated that her greatest love is her 14-year-old daughter, who resides with her grandmother in South Carolina. “She is everything to me. It kills me that I can’t be with her, but she is doing really well and will go to college and be successful.”
When asked what she wanted people to know about her, Jovi said: “I’m somebody’s daughter. Somebody’s mother. Addiction is so hard. I would give anything not to be in this situation and be with my daughter. Its hard to be homeless and not use, because it’s all around you. It’s really hard for women because there is so much abuse out here.”
Quick Facts About Jovi
- Jovi’s favorite food is broccoli
- Jovi always wanted to travel to different countries and see the world
- Jovi loves country music
- Jovi’s favorite move is Steel Magnolias
- Jovi likes it when people say “hello” to her and not just ignore her.