Pearl owned her own home and worked in hospice care managing a wide range of responsibilities when the unexpected happened: a mosquito bite led to a debilitating case of West Nile virus. A long-term hospitalization and rehabilitation left her unable to work; she lost her job and her home.

Pearl lived in shelters until HomeStart Boston helped her find a new place to live and referred her to Household Goods to furnish it. Pearl found everything she needed, including “the little things that will make it a home,” and left saying, “All the people here are so nice and accepting. I just got my keys yesterday, and now I can’t wait to move in!”