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| Lilly's book with a cover illustration done by her son. |
I had a life changing conversation recently with a woman who is now my official hero. Her name is Lillian Alvarez and she's a beautiful 65 (but looks 50). Lily lives at Hearth’s newest senior living apartment building (more about Hearth later) but her story originates in Cuba where she grew up and started her family. In the 80's Lily, her husband and baby son escaped by boat from the island. It was a terrifying trip to the coast of Florida but once there they were able to make a happy life. Lily went on to have two more children. Four years ago her husband passed away and Lily decided to move to Boston to be near her elder son, an artist, and her daughter.
Why am I talking about Lilly? Because up until a month ago she was one of the many homeless elders struggling to survive on the streets of Boston. At first glance Lily doesn't resemble the stereotypical homeless person; ragged face, missing teeth, showing the ravages of drug or alcohol addiction. In fact, most homeless elders don't fit that description. Lily is a striking lady with short silver hair and stylish glasses. Her attire when we met—all white with strappy black sandals, was impeccable.
Last winter Lily moved in with a relative and her daughter until the landlord found out and told the friend that only two could live there. Fearful that she'd be kicked out of her place, the friend told Lily she'd have to go. Just like that she became homeless, in the middle of winter, in a city she barely knew. While the rest of us were snug in our homes, chuckling about what a mild winter it was, Lily struggled everyday to stay safe, eat and get a bed for the night at the Pine Street Inn. Some nights the bed wasn't there and Lily would scramble for a place to stay, or end up in the lobby at Boston Medical for hours on end, hoping no one would notice her and kick her out. Just imagine for a moment the terror this lovely petite lady must have felt. Is anyone prepared for a situation so horrible? Are you?
Despite her dire circumstances Lily’s spirit never wavered. Yes, she was terrified and definitely depressed. She confessed she cried a lot. Who wouldn't? But Lily didn't give up. Fortunately, thanks to the people at Hearth who helped Lily navigate the "system" and ultimately provided housing for her, this story has a happy ending.
Hearth is one of my most favorite non-profits, one I've worked with for many years. Even so I'd never really interacted with Hearth's "clients;" homeless elders in need of support services and permanent housing. Organizations like Hearth are peopled by angels. Those who go to work everyday because they care so deeply about helping homeless elders. They don't make the big bucks but they work hard for their pay. The satisfaction they get is the ability to sleep at night knowing that one more elder like Lily, is off the street and safe in a comfortable home of her own.
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| A poem Lily wrote about her new life. |
This eye opening experience was a forceful reminder of what we all want—to be cared about and respected, to have dignity, to feel safe—and what we can lose. No one plans or expects to become homeless. It kind of just happens. In the blink of an eye; a fall, illness, or sudden financial problems, could cause anyone to fall into homelessness. People with jobs, lives, homes, people who have families nearby, become homeless. Lily has family, so does Robert and Moe, two other formerly homeless men I met at Hearth.
When it was time to say goodbye, Lily picked up a pair of small white jewelry boxes from her kitchen table. "I made these for you." she declared. Inside were handmade beaded bracelets and earrings. Lily shows that the human spirit can overcome and indeed blossom, despite seemingly horrible circumstances. Like Lilly, I hope I have the courage to face an overwhelmingly difficult moment in my life.
What has this experience taught me? The measure of a person of means is how they treat the person without means. If you encounter a "Lily" on the street be kind, because the human spirit burns inside all of us, no matter our situation. That small moment in time that you reach out may be a turning point for the person you help. Or it may just be a moment where you can say to yourself, "I did the right thing." Sometimes that's all there is and it's good enough.
About Hearth
Hearth is a Boston-based organization dedicated to the elimination of homelessness among the elderly through housing, outreach, and advocacy. Hearth was founded by a group of seven professional women who realized that elders were a growing percentage of the homeless population and that no one was expressly addressing the issue. Now in its twentieth year, Hearth is an expert on the challenges and solutions of ending elder homelessness.
For more information about Hearth go to:
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