Ricky G's Story

“I’m somebody who cares. I’m somebody who is my own best advocate. And I’m tired of looking behind me and I’m trying to look forward. And I’m trying to move on with my life.”

Winter Walk believes that ending homelessness starts with ending stigma. Our mission is to uplift the voices of those who have experienced homelessness, breaking down negative images and stereotypes through storytelling and education. Our work is grounded in the belief that raising awareness through personal stories helps create lasting systemic change. By lifting these voices, we strive to foster understanding and create meaningful impact.

Ricky, a Winter Walk Volunteer, has generously offered to tell you his story here on our blog.

What was life like before you became unhoused? 

I was born in New York. Lived in New York all my life until I got in trouble. 

I was a case manager in New York. I had an apartment; I was doing really well. 

When did you become homeless, and how did it happen? 

I’ve done stupid things in my life that I’ve regretted and I won’t go into details, but it eventually caught up with me.Then I was called to Massachusetts to answer for some charges and I had to do time. Right over there at the Suffolk House of Corrections. 

When I came out, I had lost my family, my friends, my job, obviously, my apartment and all my personal possessions. I was a collector of baseball memorabilia, so I had chairs from baseball stadiums. I had bases, baseballs, bats, all kinds of jerseys. All kinds of stuff. 

So I came out of jail and prior to that I tried to reach out to my family to say “hey, what do I do?” They were like “yeah, you’re on your own.” And so I came out of jail June of 2019 and I was homeless. I wound up at the Shattuck Shelter because I’m on probation and I could not return to New York until I completed the probation. I really was stuck here with no family, no friends, nothing.

What was life like for you at that time?  

It’s sad to say that I benefited from the pandemic, but if it wasn’t for the pandemic I would’ve still been at the shelter. Because of the pandemic, they tried to space out the beds. And so they said alright at one point we were at 200 something, now we’re down to 80 and you gotta go. 

So I’m like oh my god where do I go. And they were like no, no don’t worry. We’re gonna send you to the Suffolk University dorms. Because of the pandemic. So we were at the dorms for a couple months and from there, the contract was up and then they put us there at the Best Western. So we were there for a year, and then at Pine Street. And you know during the course of being at the Shattuck and being at the Suffolk dorms, and being with them for a while, I was at the shelter for almost 2 years. The staff recognized something in me. They say, you know, “you look like you’re gonna make it if you get a little help.” And they said, “how would you like a job working at the Best Western where you’re living, running the laundry room downstairs?”

Perfect. 

Who or what was helping you most at this time in your life? 

I graduated from Pine Street’s housekeeping training program, and got a job through it. The job was supposed to last 14 weeks. And the boss was so pleased with my work, he kept me on longer. 

When I graduated, they had a nice ceremony. The president of Pine Street was there. They gave everyone a little diploma, had a little lunch, a gift card. All of the people there that were without homes see this and say “hey, they’re helping me. Let me step up and help myself.”  So that program was very successful. 

They were instrumental. If it wasn’t for Pine Street Inn, where would I be?

What stood in your way to finding housing? 

The people at the programs I was working with would send me to different places to look for apartments and whatever, but because of my criminal background check, I crashed and burned.

How did you find housing? Who or what helped you the most? 

One landlord- the one I’m with right now - said “yes, you have a criminal conviction, but I’m gonna take a chance with you because I like you. I like you and plus I spoke with your boss at the hotel and they raved about you. So, I’m gonna give you a chance.” I’ve been there ever since. 

What are things like for you now?

Right now I’m housed, I’m working and my salary covers my rent, I have food stamps and I’m good. I still got 2 years of probation. When it’s done,  I want to try to reconnect with what’s left of my family. My mother’s passed away… But I’m gonna make it..go back to New York and make it. 

The team at Pine Street Inn has invited me to come back and give talks. So each time they have a class, I go. I don’t mind doing that because it’s giving back. 

Do you have a message you’d like to share with people currently experiencing homelessness? 

I used to tell that to my clients all the time. Wherever they would say, “hey, I need you to do this” I would say you’re your own best advocate. I’m not always gonna be here. You’re the one that needs to step up and do what you gotta do. I want them to know that there’s help out there for those who are willing to reach out to get it.