In the again nook of a adorned eating room at St. Francis House, Jerrod Masucci sat down at a desk with a plate filled with meals alongside his girlfriend and a number of other different associates.
As Christmas songs performed, with roughly 30 volunteers serving plates of stuffed rooster breast, butternut squash, mashed potatoes and string beans, Masucci stated he felt like he was celebrating the vacation at house with a bunch of associates he views as household.
But on the similar time, life has had its ups and downs for the 35-year-old homeless man who’s searching for everlasting housing.
Monday marked Masucci’s first Christmas spent at Boston’s largest day shelter prior to now three years. Around 350 women and men experiencing hardship and homelessness joined him for the festive feast.
“When I came back here, it was like my family just grew,” Masucci instructed the Herald. “I feel at home, but I feel in a place where I need to gain (a) home. You know how they say ‘Home is where the heart is.’ It is but at the same time, physically having a home is a great thing. It’s a blessing from God.”
Masucci’s girlfriend, Kelly Devino, 47, has been coming to St. Francis House each day since September. Here, she receives meals, garments, a spot to bathe and help to find everlasting housing, amongst different companies.
This Christmas, Devino didn’t have the chance to spend the vacation with family and friends, however she stated she nonetheless discovered a way of pleasure.
“Being here for Christmas is just a blessing,” she stated, smiling.
Those who’re extra lucky take satisfaction in spending the vacation giving again to the group by volunteering. So is the case for Greg Gailius, a Southie native who graduated from Boston College and labored almost 40 years within the metropolis’s enterprise group earlier than retiring.
Gailius got here out to St. Francis House together with his spouse and daughter, a practice they’ve shared collectively for years.
“I have been fortunate in life,” he stated. “It just feels good to give back because Christmas is about giving. I am much better at giving than receiving.”
Karen LaFrazia, the shelter’s president and CEO, stated she wouldn’t need to spend the vacation anyplace else. She bounced backwards and forwards between the kitchen and eating room, seeing folks she’s seen yr after yr whereas constructing connections with these she’s by no means met earlier than.
It has been a difficult yr at St. Francis House, LaFrazia stated, because the shelter is serving the biggest variety of folks per day than ever earlier than, round 600 people. But like Masucci, she stated she appears to be like at each particular person needing help as household.
“It is our love for the guests,” LaFrazia stated. “This is a lonely time of the year for many people. For us to be able to make the day special for somebody, and to just be in fellowship with them in a moment when they are at their lowest point, it is a blessing.”
Despite the tight housing market, Masucci stated he’s getting into the brand new yr hopeful that he’ll safe a everlasting residing area sooner or later in 2024.
“Sometimes it takes patience,” he stated, “and it takes a while, but that patience will help you endure that long time of waiting. I never have a doubting bone in my body. I have always kept it positive. I never think negatively because once you think negatively you could destroy all plans that are ahead of you.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com”