From an interview by Melissa Shook, September 11, 1988, South End. Reprinted, with permission, from  Streets Are for Nobody: Homeless Women Speak,  Boston Center for the Arts, 1991

Shook, Melissa

English

University of Massachusetts Boston: ScholarWorks at UMass

New England Journal of Public PolicyVolume 8Issue 1 Special Issue on Homelessness: New Englandand BeyondArticle 733-23-1992Streets Are for Nobody: MarieMelissa ShookUniversity of Massachusetts BostonFollow this and additional works at: http://scholarworks.umb.edu/nejppPart of the Nonfiction Commons, Public Policy Commons, and the Social Policy CommonsThis Article is brought to you for free and open access by ScholarWorks at UMass Boston. It has been accepted for inclusion in New England Journal ofPublic Policy by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at UMass Boston. For more information, please contact library.uasc@umb.edu.Recommended CitationShook, Melissa (1992) "Streets Are for Nobody: Marie," New England Journal of Public Policy: Vol. 8: Iss. 1, Article 73.Available at: http://scholarworks.umb.edu/nejpp/vol8/iss1/73New England Journal ofPublic PolicyStreets Are forNobody: MarieLate thirties; alcoholic home; abused. Found job; now on medical disability; insubsidized housing; attending university.Iremember the first day I ever walked into Pine Street. I had my few clothes and Iwalked in there and one of the people that worked there asked me if I was hungryand I said, "Yeah." And I went over and I sat down on one of the wooden benches,eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and the tears came streaming down myface, and all I could think of was, "Marie, this is what you have let your life come to?"[She found an apartment but was lonely and continued to spend time at the shelter.]And after about two months and a week or whatever, I kind of got used to it anddidn't go down as often. I still went and visited. I still go and visit today. But I got . ..I got used to it, used to being by myself. And I actually got to like being by myself.Through therapy I started to learn how to be my own best friend and how to— I'mreally enjoying my privacy. I didn't have any idea what was gonna happen— I didn'thave any idea what was gonna happen when I used to sit on the bench [at the shel-ter] or be at night in the park. But I remember the feeling of hopelessness. And hereit is five years later and a lot's happened in five years. I am not the same person Iwas five years ago yesterday, the day I walked out of Pine Street.[She says homelessness made her realize how lucky she is.]The amazing thing is that I'm not going around blaming my mother and my fatherand this one and that one. It's amazing. The amazing part is that I take— I took theresponsibility. I know that I was the one that put myself there and I was the one thatgot myself out of there. And I am the one who keeps myself out of there. Because . ..'cause it really would be easy to say, "Ah, screw it" and give up. I don't want that. Ireally don't want it. [Much louder and laughing] I feel so good! $*>Interviewed by Melissa Shook, September 11, 1988, South End. Reprinted, with permission, from "StreetsAre for Nobody: Homeless Women Speak," Boston Centerfor the Arts, 1991.792

Streets Are for Nobody: Marie

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Streets Are for Nobody: Marie

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