Diploma day for Pine St. programs

Graduates ready for next step

Homeless Boston-area residents donned their caps and gowns yesterday as they celebrated the completion of job training programs with a graduation ceremony.

For many of the graduates, who range in age from 20s to 60s, the ceremony under a big white tent at the Pine Street Inn was the first time in their lives they were able to celebrate an achievement. Each of the graduates completed job training programs that will lead to food service and housekeeping careers.

Speakers at the event included John Barros, the city’s chief of economic development, Patriots wide receiver and special teams captain Matthew Slater and Silvaria D., a graduate of Pine Street’s iCater food service training program.

HARD WORK REWARDED: Lisa Edwards, center, celebrates as she and other Pine Street Inn residents prepare to receive their diplomas. Residents of Pine Street Inn line up for their graduation ceremony, below. Program graduates reacted with smiles, right,...

TEAM PLAYER: Matthew Slater, center, of the New England Patriots, speaks with Boston Police Commissioner William Evans and Laura Sen before the ceremony. Family, friends and residents of the Pine Street Inn watch as graduates receive their diplomas.

HERALD PHOTOS BY MARK LORENZ