October XX, 2008 Mr. & Mrs. John Sample 123 Main Street Boston, MA 02118
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Sample, “I still go home, open the door and just stand there,” says Renee, with a smile. A former guest at Pine Street’s Women’s Inn, Renee moved in to her own apartment in July. Her journey into and out of homelessness began seven years ago. “When I lost my job, I didn’t know what to do,” Renee recounts. Unemployment couldn’t have come at a worse time. Renee was already struggling — she’d escaped an abusive relationship and was coping with a chronic illness. Without income, however, things quickly spiraled out of control: she lost her car, her housing, and then found herself on the streets. “I was penniless, homeless, and hopeless,” she says. “I was sleeping on the streets. It was horrible.” Every day became a marathon in survival: finding a safe place to sleep, hiding her few possessions, figuring out where her next meal was coming from. “One day, I just had enough. And I thought, I can’t do this anymore,” she recalled. Someone told Renee about the Women’s Inn at Pine Street. “At first I was scared to go, because I didn’t know what to expect.” Finally summoning her courage, she came to the Women’s Inn, calling it “the best decision I ever made.” There, Renee had a roof over her head. She had food and access to medical care. She joined a recovery group and eventually secured a spot in Women In Transition (WIT), a program that empowers women to move from homelessness to housing. As part of WIT, Renee worked at the Women’s Inn, folding laundry and making beds. “Eventually I found a job outside of Pine Street at an insurance company,” she says. “Life really started coming together.” In July, when Renee moved in to her apartment, she felt stable enough to reconnect with her daughter. “Shortly after, I witnessed my grandchild being born. That was incredible!” she says. continued on reverse
444 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02118 | 617-892-9170 | www.pinestreetinn.org
YES, I want to help Pine Street provide hope for the most vulnerable of our neighbors.
I have enclosed: $ gift array amt $XXX $XXX $________ Pine Street accepts on-line donations through its secured Web site at www.pinestreetinn.org I would like to receive Inn updates via email:________________________________
Please make corrections to address as necessary. 99999999 06X3X3
I have enclosed a check or money order made payable to Pine Street Inn. Please charge my credit card: VISA AMEX MasterCard
Card # __________________________________________ Expiration Date ___________________________________ Signature ________________________________________ My employer will match my gift. I have enclosed the necessary form. Please consider joining Pine Street’s monthly giving program, The Innkeepers Club. See reverse.
Mr. John A. Sample Boston Condominiums 123 Main Street Boston, MA 01234-5678 Barcode
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This year, Renee is looking forward to the holidays and to hosting her daughter and grandchildren for Thanksgiving. “I’m going to have a big turkey dinner at my home. It’s going to be exciting. I certainly have plenty to be thankful for this year,” she says. “Pine Street gave me my life back.” There are so many more people like Renee out there — men and women who could turn their lives around. Your gift today will start others on their journey out of homelessness. I hope you will continue to help us help them. Thank you for your generosity!
Gratefully,
Lyndia Downie President and Executive Director P.S. Let those who will be at the Pine Street Inn Thanksgiving dinner know that someone is thinking of them. We invite you to pass along your warm wishes on the enclosed place card and send it back in the envelope provided. We’ll set your card at Pine Street’s Thanksgiving dinner table.
JOIN THE INNKEEPERS CLU B
You can become part of a special group of Pine Street Inn supporters by joining the Inn’s monthly giving program. The Innkeepers Club provides critical and sustaining support for Pine Street. The minimum monthly gift is $10. On behalf of the 1,200 women and men Pine Street serves every day, thank you.
Permanent Housing 23%
Emergency Shelter 44% Transitional Housing & Job Training 14%
Please select one of the following payment methods:
I authorize Pine Street Inn to charge $________ to my credit card each month. VISA AMEX MasterCard I authorize my bank to deduct $____________ each month from my checking account.
Enclosed is a voided check.
Debt Reductions & Facility Improvements 1%
Fund Raising & Volunteer Services 5% Administration 13%
Card # _______________________________ Exp. Date ____________________ Signature _____________________________
Signature _____________________________ Date _______________________ Telephone ____________________________
You will receive a receipt in January for all your donations given during the previous calendar year. To cancel your pledge, inform Pine Street by phone (617-892-9170), e-mail (info@pinestreetinn.org) or mail.