Joanne Guarino was homeless off and on for 30 years and credits Boston Health Care for the Homeless with restoring her sense of self-worth after decades of illness, addiction, and mistreatment  on the streets. She is an avid speaker, mentor, supporter and advocate for those who have experienced homelessness. Joanne has been part of the BACHome Council since its inception and sits on the Boston Healthcare for the Homeless Board of Directors, Consumer Advisory Board as well as their HIV Consumer Advisory Board.

Further, Joanne sits on the National Healthcare for the Homeless Consumer Advisory Board, works closely with the Massachusetts Shelter and Housing Alliance (MHASA) and has been invited to speak and share her story at numerous places, including Harvard Medical School's white coat ceremony for the past 15 years. Joanne finds great pride in her development of the “Housing Guide,” which is a guide she personally wrote for newly housed persons to share skills, tools, and tips to manage independent life after homelessness, and have a successful housing experience.

Joanne is single-minded in advocating for unhoused people and feels especially compelled to advocate for a change in the pervasive bias she has experienced against those experiencing homelessness. She hopes for a world with more kindness and compassion, and she hopes that her work can help change the minds of others so that people can recognize the individual story behind every person they meet. 

She is a sister, a mother, and a friend, and a deep inspiration for all those who encounter her.