Staten Island Social Worker Who Helps Homeless Veterans Find Permanent Housing Wins Verizon Shine World Cup Contest

See above for our interview with Mary Barnes, a Queens native and Staten Island resident who recently won the Verizon Shine Breakfast with Beckham World Cup Experience, on the biggest game day, the final match of the World Cup.  She is a social worker who lives on Staten Island and works with homeless veterans to get them placed in stable housing.  The people she works with are among the most vulnerable; they have no one in most cases, and are living on the streets or on subway cars.  Her organization works with the federal government to find stable housing for these veterans, with Section 8 vouchers, to get them off the streets and into a stable situation.  She shared a favorite success story with us of a 79 year old veteran who was recently placed.  

With FIFA fever building to an all-time high ahead of the finale, I wanted to share an uplifting local story for your consideration.

Mary Barnes, a Mid Island resident and dedicated social worker who helps homeless veterans find housing across the five boroughs, just won the prize of a lifetime: the Verizon “Breakfast with Beckham” experience at MetLife Stadium, all thanks to Verizon Shine.

This win carries deep personal meaning for Mary, as she grew up in a traditional Italian household in Astoria, where soccer was always on the TV. Her grandfather, a massive fan, recently passed away, but she remembers when Italy last won the World Cup and he handed out bracelets to the neighborhood. She still has hers and will wear it to the match in his honor.

Mary’s story is a beautiful mix of family legacy and local fan excitement.

Banner Image: Mary Barnes in front of the World Cup trophy. Image Credit – Verizon Shine