Formerly homeless, they show way back

Like scores of homeless people, Jannie Nelson never thought it would happen to her.

``I went to college, had good jobs, made 60 to 70 thousand dollars a year," she said. ``I grew up as one of seven kids, and we never struggled for anything."

Nelson, once an event planner for President Clinton, took maternity leave from her job at a Washington, D.C., property management firm when her son was born five years ago. When the company folded, though, she had no job to go back to. That's when her troubles began.

She moved back to Boston, but couldn't find housing. With bills mounting, Nelson tried to move to a shelter, but found she wasn't eligible.

She contacted Travelers Aid Family Services , an agency with offices on East Street in Chinatown that works with homeless families. The agency found a temporary room in Dorchester for Nelson and her son, helped her find a job with an easier commute, and eventually helped her find the apartment in Milton where she lives today.

``They gave me so much help in different areas," Nelson said. ``Not just funding, but information, which is so important. If you don't know where to go, that's what hurts you."

That's why she jumped at the chance to join the organization's Community Advisory Board, made up entirely of women who, like Nelson, were once homeless. They meet once a month, on their lunch hours, to brainstorm ways to help families who are in the same boat they were in.

``Some people thought the group would be difficult to form because the women have multiple demands on their time, and lives that have continued challenges," said Carol Masshardt , director of social services for Travelers Aid. ``But they've demonstrated the highest level of commitment -- attending every meeting, speaking at fund-raising and other events, guiding us as we think about new programs and changes. They're an amazing group."

The board, which celebrated its first anniversary in June, has lots of plans in the works, including a dinner program in collaboration with Trinity Church in Boston.

``We want a place where families could go outside the shelters for dinner," said Liz Wilson , another advisory board member. ``A place where they can have real plates and tablecloths, and feel welcome."

Wilson, a single mom with four children, said that she became homeless ``just like that" in 1994. She was working full time as a mental health counselor, but fell behind on her bills when she divorced, then became sick.

She recalls spending an entire day at the welfare office, only to be told they had no place to send her. They did, however, give her the phone number for Travelers Aid.

Wilson called, and arrangements were made for her and her kids to check into a Dorchester motel. A few days later, Travelers Aid called to say they had found her family a spot at a shelter.

Today, Wilson lives with her children in Mattapan and is program coordinator for the Mary Eliza Mahoney House in Roxbury, where she helps people transition from homelessness. She's unique on the Travelers Aid advisory board, as the only member who works with the homeless in a professional capacity.

``I have a lot of empathy for the families I work with because I've been down that road," she said. ``When someone comes into my office and says, `I can't do this,' I say, `Well, I did it. I've been there. And it's going to be OK. ' "

Wilson cherishes her seat on the advisory board, she said, because of the bond she feels with her fellow board members. ``They inspire me," she said.

Nelson agreed. ``We all enjoy it tremendously," she said. ``It's like we're sisters."

Kathleen McKenna can be reached at ciweek@globe.com.