On Wednesday, June 3, homeless men and women, who ranged in age from their 20's to their 60's, gathered under a big white tent wearing caps and gowns and received "diplomas signifying their achievement completion of job training programs in food services, building maintenance and housekeeping. For many, this was the first celebration of an achievement they have had in their lifetime.

Joanne Chang, award-winning chef and cookbook autho addressed the graduates. She and other chefs from her restaurants have been regular presenters at Pine Street Inn's "Visiting Chef Series," where some of Boston's top chefs demonstrate food preparation and teach cooking skills to men and women in Pine Street's iCater training program.

Ronald Taylor, a job training graduate who had a job and a home and lost it all, addressed participants about his journey back from homelessness.

Pine Street Inn began creating permanent housing with on-site support staff for homeless men and women in 1984. Today, Pine Street has 38 locations with close to 900 tenants throughout Boston and Brookline. Serving more than 1,600 homeless individuals daily, Pine Street provides permanent housing, job training, emergency shelter and street outreach, with a goal to help men and women reach their highest level of self-sufficiency.

For more information, go to www.pinestreetinn.org.