September 28, 2024 • 8 mins
Next week, Pine Street Inn in Boston will be holding a special voter registration drive at their 140 Clarendon complex. This drive is all about challenging misconceptions about the rights of those who are unhoused to cast votes in the upcoming election, and helping everyone who wants to vote get registered to do so. Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll is also scheduled to make an appearance! Lyndia Downie, Executive Director at Pine Street Inn, is back on the show with all the details.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:07):
From WBZ News Radio in Boston. This is New England Weekend.
Each week we come together right here, we talk about
all the topics important to you and the place where
you live. It is so good to be back with
you on the show this week. I'm Nicole Davis. We're
just a few weeks out from the November election, and yeah,
the race for president that is definitely front and center
in the headlines. The thing is, though, we have plenty
(00:29):
of down ballot races to consider as well, things like
Port clerks and Governor's council, Beacon Hill lawmakers, members of Congress,
ballot questions. There's a lot to research and talk about.
You got to make up your mind and then, of course,
whether you decide to vote early or vote on election day,
you go and cast your ballot right, well, not always.
If you're unhoused or living in a shelter, you might
(00:50):
want to vote, but you just haven't been able to
figure out how to register, or didn't even think you could.
Pine Street Inn in Boston has been working with the
city's homeless population for des gates, and now they're teaming
up with the Boston Public Library to hold a new
voter registration drive next week. Let's learn more with Lyndia Downey.
She's the executive director of Pine Street. She's been here before. Lindia,
(01:11):
it is so good to have you back, and you know,
this event's pretty timely, I'd.
Speaker 2 (01:15):
Say, yeah, Nicole.
Speaker 3 (01:16):
I think there's a lot of misinformation among our guests
and sometimes our tenants about whether or not they can vote.
And a lot of people think if you're homeless and
you don't have a permanent, permanent address, she can't vote.
A lot of people think, you know what, if they've
been in jail, they can't vote or have any kind
of criminal record.
Speaker 2 (01:36):
That's not true in Massachusetts.
Speaker 3 (01:38):
So you can use the shelter address to register to vote.
If you're a tenant, obviously you you know, register where
you live. But really in Massachusetts, there's very little that
bars you from voting. And so part of the reason
we started to do this is when we would approach
guests in particular about registering, they would say, oh, I
(02:00):
can't can't vote, I don't perman an address. We're going
to get mail, you know, where's the polling station? And
so voter registration, we hope, is a way to send
that message that you can vote. You should vote, and
we want to encourage you to vote.
Speaker 1 (02:13):
So how are you going about doing that? Obviously, we
have this voter registration drive, we'll talk about that in
a moment, but what are some of the other methods
that Pine Street is using to make sure everybody gets
connected and registered.
Speaker 3 (02:23):
So on Monday, in partnership with Beacon Communities, Mass Vote
and Mass League of Women Voters, we will be holding
a voter registration drive at one forty Clarendon Street, which
is our newest housing location with support services. So we
have a lovely We're very grateful to the Lyric Stage
they're letting us use their space.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
We have Lieutenant Governor coming to.
Speaker 3 (02:47):
Really encourage people to vote, to let them know they
can vote, to talk a little bit about their responsibility
around voting, and then the League of Women Voters will
be going over the ballot questions, answering questions for people
if they have any, and then Mass Vote will be
(03:07):
actually helping people fill out the form so they could register.
Boston Public Library is going to be there offering people
to sign up for library cards, which which we always like.
And also if you know any of the tenants on
Clarenonce Street go to vote.
Speaker 2 (03:20):
They voted the library, so they want to let them know.
Speaker 3 (03:23):
You know, it's right around the corner, short walk, and
you know, I have to say all the partners have
been terrific and trying to make it easy as possible
for homeless people to register.
Speaker 1 (03:36):
And obviously, I mean I love that connection with the
library programming because people who are looking for a job,
people who are looking for other resources, they want to
educate themselves and learn something new or even just spend
the day at the library. Boston Public libraries in particular
have so many resources, so that's really a win win.
Speaker 3 (03:53):
The library's great and they're a tremendous resource for many
of our guests. I don't know if you know this, Nicole,
but we have a full time staff person that the
library funds working with homeless people inside the library. I
did trying to get the house, trying to engage with them,
trying to see if you know, they'd like to come
to shelter. But the library is a is a great
(04:14):
resource for the city, and.
Speaker 1 (04:15):
When it comes to not just the emotional but just
the uh, I suppose it's a self respect thing when
you are dealing with homelessness, When you are trying to
find what's next for you in your life and get
up from what many considered to be one of the
lowest parts of their lives. Something so simple as being
able to register to vote. What is that like for
people you work with?
Speaker 3 (04:36):
You know, I think when you're homeless, you feel like
you've been forgotten. You often feel cut off from mainstream
civic life and other mainstream things.
Speaker 2 (04:47):
You know, you live.
Speaker 3 (04:48):
Unfortunately, there's a lot of hurry up and wait. There's
a lot of looking for housing, waiting for housing, and
a lot of the day to day things that you
could do when you were still housed. Go away right,
you're unfortunately, you know, at the mercy of other people
like us, shelter hours and making sure you get a bed,
and so your life becomes about the survival. And one
(05:09):
of the messages messages we want to send to people is,
you know, keep thinking about what's next. It's going to
get better. Voting's part of, you know, a civic responsibility,
and especially for the tenants you know they've moved into
new housing, new to the neighborhood. Part of reclaiming you
know who you are is becoming involved in your neighborhood
and becoming a voter and expressing your voice. So I
(05:32):
think for a lot of the tenants this might be
the first time in a long time they've registered, they've
been moving around. So we're you know, we're encouraged, and
we're hoping that people feel really strongly about it.
Speaker 1 (05:43):
And when it's a time where things might seem kind
of out of control, it's one thing you can control.
It's your voice and your vote.
Speaker 3 (05:50):
Yeah, you know, we've done this now for a number
of years. We typically try and time it to presidential
elections because we just get more interest from the guests
and the tenants.
Speaker 2 (06:00):
And the last time we.
Speaker 3 (06:01):
Did it, I had an older fellow he's probably tell
me he had been homeless for three years, and he said,
you know, I've voted since I could register.
Speaker 2 (06:09):
He said, I registered when I was eighteen.
Speaker 3 (06:12):
I've never missed an election, even when I was homeless,
even when he was here, he walked down the street
to the firehouse and voted. And he was very proud
of that, very proud, and for him it was a
connection to who we used to be and when he
had a place to live, and it was very much
a part of you know election day came and he
made a point of voting, so it does matter to
(06:34):
people absolutely.
Speaker 1 (06:35):
So again, let's go over really quickly all the particulars
one more time. This is on Monday. Where's this all
taking place, Who's involved, so on and so forth.
Speaker 3 (06:43):
So it's just coming Monday at one forty Clarendon Street
right in the back day. Some people will know this
as the old YWCA building and we now have both
affordable apartments in that building along with units performing homeless people.
And the developer, Beacon Communities, is helping us organize this
(07:04):
along with Mass Vote and the League of Women Voters.
We're going to be joined very thankfully by the Lieutenant Governor,
who you know, encourage people to vote. And we're inviting
both tenants from the building, tenants from other Pine Street properties,
and also we'll be bringing over some guests from shelter.
Speaker 1 (07:24):
And can anybody who might just be in the neighborhood
and wants to register to vote? Can anybody stop by
or is this just for Pine Street?
Speaker 2 (07:30):
Oh? No, sure, people? Can people can stop by absolutely?
Speaker 1 (07:33):
Okay? Good, all right, sweet, And if people want to
find out more about what's happening at Pine Street. If
they want to donate, volunteer, where can they learn about you?
Speaker 3 (07:43):
People go right on the website pinestreet in dot org
and there's a whole list of our programs there's people
are interested in volunteering, there's some information there, and also
if people are interested in giving or donating, there's a
tab on that as well.
Speaker 1 (07:57):
All Right, Lindy, as always, thank you so much.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
Yeah, great to talk to you. Thank you.
Speaker 1 (08:01):
Likewise, please enjoy the rest of your weekend, have a
safe and healthy one, and join us again next week
for another edition of the show. I'm Nicole Davis from
WBZ News Radio on iHeartRadio.
From WBZ News Radio in Boston. This is New England Weekend.
Each week we come together right here, we talk about
all the topics important to you and the place where
you live. It is so good to be back with
you on the show this week. I'm Nicole Davis. We're
just a few weeks out from the November election, and yeah,
the race for president that is definitely front and center
in the headlines. The thing is, though, we have plenty
(00:29):
of down ballot races to consider as well, things like
Port clerks and Governor's council, Beacon Hill lawmakers, members of Congress,
ballot questions. There's a lot to research and talk about.
You got to make up your mind and then, of course,
whether you decide to vote early or vote on election day,
you go and cast your ballot right, well, not always.
If you're unhoused or living in a shelter, you might
(00:50):
want to vote, but you just haven't been able to
figure out how to register, or didn't even think you could.
Pine Street Inn in Boston has been working with the
city's homeless population for des gates, and now they're teaming
up with the Boston Public Library to hold a new
voter registration drive next week. Let's learn more with Lyndia Downey.
She's the executive director of Pine Street. She's been here before. Lindia,
(01:11):
it is so good to have you back, and you know,
this event's pretty timely, I'd.
Speaker 2 (01:15):
Say, yeah, Nicole.
Speaker 3 (01:16):
I think there's a lot of misinformation among our guests
and sometimes our tenants about whether or not they can vote.
And a lot of people think if you're homeless and
you don't have a permanent, permanent address, she can't vote.
A lot of people think, you know what, if they've
been in jail, they can't vote or have any kind
of criminal record.
Speaker 2 (01:36):
That's not true in Massachusetts.
Speaker 3 (01:38):
So you can use the shelter address to register to vote.
If you're a tenant, obviously you you know, register where
you live. But really in Massachusetts, there's very little that
bars you from voting. And so part of the reason
we started to do this is when we would approach
guests in particular about registering, they would say, oh, I
(02:00):
can't can't vote, I don't perman an address. We're going
to get mail, you know, where's the polling station? And
so voter registration, we hope, is a way to send
that message that you can vote. You should vote, and
we want to encourage you to vote.
Speaker 1 (02:13):
So how are you going about doing that? Obviously, we
have this voter registration drive, we'll talk about that in
a moment, but what are some of the other methods
that Pine Street is using to make sure everybody gets
connected and registered.
Speaker 3 (02:23):
So on Monday, in partnership with Beacon Communities, Mass Vote
and Mass League of Women Voters, we will be holding
a voter registration drive at one forty Clarendon Street, which
is our newest housing location with support services. So we
have a lovely We're very grateful to the Lyric Stage
they're letting us use their space.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
We have Lieutenant Governor coming to.
Speaker 3 (02:47):
Really encourage people to vote, to let them know they
can vote, to talk a little bit about their responsibility
around voting, and then the League of Women Voters will
be going over the ballot questions, answering questions for people
if they have any, and then Mass Vote will be
(03:07):
actually helping people fill out the form so they could register.
Boston Public Library is going to be there offering people
to sign up for library cards, which which we always like.
And also if you know any of the tenants on
Clarenonce Street go to vote.
Speaker 2 (03:20):
They voted the library, so they want to let them know.
Speaker 3 (03:23):
You know, it's right around the corner, short walk, and
you know, I have to say all the partners have
been terrific and trying to make it easy as possible
for homeless people to register.
Speaker 1 (03:36):
And obviously, I mean I love that connection with the
library programming because people who are looking for a job,
people who are looking for other resources, they want to
educate themselves and learn something new or even just spend
the day at the library. Boston Public libraries in particular
have so many resources, so that's really a win win.
Speaker 3 (03:53):
The library's great and they're a tremendous resource for many
of our guests. I don't know if you know this, Nicole,
but we have a full time staff person that the
library funds working with homeless people inside the library. I
did trying to get the house, trying to engage with them,
trying to see if you know, they'd like to come
to shelter. But the library is a is a great
(04:14):
resource for the city, and.
Speaker 1 (04:15):
When it comes to not just the emotional but just
the uh, I suppose it's a self respect thing when
you are dealing with homelessness, When you are trying to
find what's next for you in your life and get
up from what many considered to be one of the
lowest parts of their lives. Something so simple as being
able to register to vote. What is that like for
people you work with?
Speaker 3 (04:36):
You know, I think when you're homeless, you feel like
you've been forgotten. You often feel cut off from mainstream
civic life and other mainstream things.
Speaker 2 (04:47):
You know, you live.
Speaker 3 (04:48):
Unfortunately, there's a lot of hurry up and wait. There's
a lot of looking for housing, waiting for housing, and
a lot of the day to day things that you
could do when you were still housed. Go away right,
you're unfortunately, you know, at the mercy of other people
like us, shelter hours and making sure you get a bed,
and so your life becomes about the survival. And one
(05:09):
of the messages messages we want to send to people is,
you know, keep thinking about what's next. It's going to
get better. Voting's part of, you know, a civic responsibility,
and especially for the tenants you know they've moved into
new housing, new to the neighborhood. Part of reclaiming you
know who you are is becoming involved in your neighborhood
and becoming a voter and expressing your voice. So I
(05:32):
think for a lot of the tenants this might be
the first time in a long time they've registered, they've
been moving around. So we're you know, we're encouraged, and
we're hoping that people feel really strongly about it.
Speaker 1 (05:43):
And when it's a time where things might seem kind
of out of control, it's one thing you can control.
It's your voice and your vote.
Speaker 3 (05:50):
Yeah, you know, we've done this now for a number
of years. We typically try and time it to presidential
elections because we just get more interest from the guests
and the tenants.
Speaker 2 (06:00):
And the last time we.
Speaker 3 (06:01):
Did it, I had an older fellow he's probably tell
me he had been homeless for three years, and he said,
you know, I've voted since I could register.
Speaker 2 (06:09):
He said, I registered when I was eighteen.
Speaker 3 (06:12):
I've never missed an election, even when I was homeless,
even when he was here, he walked down the street
to the firehouse and voted. And he was very proud
of that, very proud, and for him it was a
connection to who we used to be and when he
had a place to live, and it was very much
a part of you know election day came and he
made a point of voting, so it does matter to
(06:34):
people absolutely.
Speaker 1 (06:35):
So again, let's go over really quickly all the particulars
one more time. This is on Monday. Where's this all
taking place, Who's involved, so on and so forth.
Speaker 3 (06:43):
So it's just coming Monday at one forty Clarendon Street
right in the back day. Some people will know this
as the old YWCA building and we now have both
affordable apartments in that building along with units performing homeless people.
And the developer, Beacon Communities, is helping us organize this
(07:04):
along with Mass Vote and the League of Women Voters.
We're going to be joined very thankfully by the Lieutenant Governor,
who you know, encourage people to vote. And we're inviting
both tenants from the building, tenants from other Pine Street properties,
and also we'll be bringing over some guests from shelter.
Speaker 1 (07:24):
And can anybody who might just be in the neighborhood
and wants to register to vote? Can anybody stop by
or is this just for Pine Street?
Speaker 2 (07:30):
Oh? No, sure, people? Can people can stop by absolutely?
Speaker 1 (07:33):
Okay? Good, all right, sweet, And if people want to
find out more about what's happening at Pine Street. If
they want to donate, volunteer, where can they learn about you?
Speaker 3 (07:43):
People go right on the website pinestreet in dot org
and there's a whole list of our programs there's people
are interested in volunteering, there's some information there, and also
if people are interested in giving or donating, there's a
tab on that as well.
Speaker 1 (07:57):
All Right, Lindy, as always, thank you so much.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
Yeah, great to talk to you. Thank you.
Speaker 1 (08:01):
Likewise, please enjoy the rest of your weekend, have a
safe and healthy one, and join us again next week
for another edition of the show. I'm Nicole Davis from
WBZ News Radio on iHeartRadio.
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