Spaghetti Dinner OCTOBER 22 ND, 2021 | HYBRID
Spaghetti Dinner OCTOBER 22ND, 2021 HYBRID
Greetings to all As Chair of the Board of Director at Women’s Lunch Place, I am honored to welcome each of you to our uniquely presented Spaghetti Dinner celebration. This evening, you will hear from the resilient guests who inspire us every day, as well as the generous partners who enable us to provide dignified, personalized care and a supportive community to any woman in need of assistance. This year we are honoring Sanofi Genzyme and celebrating their partnership with WLP as demonstrated through corporate volunteering, financial support, and executive leadership.
Mary V. Carty WLP Board Chair
Their unwavering commitment has helped to strengthen our community and ensure services for each woman by supporting our dynamic programs. During this evening’s presentation you will hear from Sanofi Genzyme’s leaders about why they champion Women’s Lunch Place and how our missions––although quite different in scope––share a set of core values. I would like to extend special thanks to the Spaghetti Dinner Committee. It has taken time, effort, and imagination to produce this event. Our staff, committees, and volunteer groups have had to constantly create and innovate new ways to deliver our events, just like our services, as the ongoing health crisis continues to shift. I am inspired by the imagination and dedication of this team. At the outset of our planning, we had hoped to raise $550,000 at this year’s event. Because of the outpouring of generous sponsorships, we are on the precipice of meeting this goal. Tonight, you can help us achieve that. There are many ways to help, including purchasing tickets, bidding on auction items, and raising a paddle to support the Fund-a-Need session. Each of us can be instrumental in helping our guests to find healing, hope, and dignity at our welcoming, safe shelter. For the past 39 years, we have gathered annually to honor the work of Women’s Lunch Place. Thank you for joining this program tonight as we celebrate with our staff, guests, and community of supporters.
With warmest regards,
Mary V. Carty Chair, WLP Board of Directors
Program Introduction Welcome Shelter Updates from WLP Staff Honoree Spotlight Guest Feature Fund-a-Need Conclusion
Visit womenslunchplace.org/sd to stream the program. Scan the QR codes below to take action during today’s event!
Fund-a-Need
Silent Auction
About Women's Lunch Place NEW MISSION & VISION Women’s Lunch Place inspires hope and supports the development of self-sustaining skills for women experiencing hunger, homelessness, and poverty. We create a safe, welcoming day shelter community in which we respect the dignity of our guests. We build trusting relationships to provide individualized, integrated services focused on nutrition, health, housing, and economic empowerment. In the effort to eradicate hunger, homelessness and poverty among women, Women’s Lunch Place is a visionary, collaborative leader and partner in Greater Boston. With a unique, relationship-driven service model, we provide women with a path to self-sufficiency, improved health, housing, and financial stability.
PROGRAMS AND SERVICES Healthy Meals Program: We believe all people should have access to healthy food. WLP provides two nutrition-packed meals daily to over 1,500 women annually. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, hunger and food insecurity continue to increase in our community. WLP’s Healthy Meals program evolved to directly respond to this need, launching curbside take-out and a Mobile Food Pantry. As vaccination rates rise and infection rates fall, we have reopened our traditional restaurant-style setting within our community. Direct Care: Access to self-care products and services such as showers and laundry is the first step to restoring and maintaining dignity for those suffering with housing insecurity. Whether it’s providing a woman with toiletries, a mask and sanitizing wipes, a change of clothes and up-to-date health information, or checking in with her emotional wellbeing, our team welcomes all with dignity and respect. In 2020, our Direct Care team completely pivoted and have continued to creatively adapt our programs to meet the unique, dynamic needs of our guests throughout the pandemic. Advocacy: Our Advocacy program helps guests overcome the barriers to housing and economic security. Women work closely with our advocates to secure permanent housing, prevent eviction, access legal aid, and connect with medical care, mental health resources, and substance-use disorder treatment. As the devastating impact of the pandemic is more fully realized, our team has stepped up to meet the needs of our guests; delivering pantry boxes to elderly and medically-compromised women, connecting them to technology, and offering in-person and remote services to ensure they get the support they need. 6
WOMEN’S LUNCH PLACE
FY21
172
100,201
4,616
at a glance
healthy meals served
8,000
PPE items distributed
women secured housing or preserved their tenancy
advocacy appointments for
622 guests 1,200
meals prepared and delivered weekly into the community 7
2021 SPAGHETTI DINNER
Sponsors
AS OF OCTOBER 1ST
trendsetter Jill A. Greenthal & Thomas Eisenmann
Ground-Breaker Kay Calvert & Jim Manzi Mary & Brian Carty Michele & Howard Kessler
Innovator Anonymous Donor Anne C. & David J. Bromer Cooldige Family Fund Eileen Hsü-Balzer The McGee Family Derri Shtasel & Garry Gottlieb Roberta & Stephen R. Weiner
Problem Solver Wendy & Sean Cassity Janine Danielson & LGA, LLP Kathryn & Alexander Golden Dean Goodermote & Diane Arnold Joyce Kosofsky & Kenneth Gloss Christine & David Letts
Mover + Shaker Jacques Abatto & David L. Goldman Cynthia & Theodore Berenson Debra & William Bulkeley Donna & Steve Fessler Kathleen & Mark Gallivan Mary & Richard Moscato 8
WOMEN’S LUNCH PLACE
Honoree Highlight Sanofi Genzyme This year, we are honoring Sanofi Genzyme and celebrating a partnership that stretches back to 2008. Beyond volunteering to serve our guests, Sanofi Genzyme executives have stepped into critical advisory roles on both the WLP Board of Directors and Advisory Committee. The organization has also supported WLP financially, ensured the wellbeing of our community by helping to strengthen Healthy Meals and other dynamic WLP programs. We look forward to speaking with Sanofi Genzyme leadership and hearing why they champion WLP and how our missions, although quite different in scope, are tied together by a set of shared core values.
Event Committee Jennifer Culhane*, Co-chair Shannon Resetich*, Co-chair
Eileen Hsü-Balzer* Sherry Hughes*
Casey Baines*
Mark Lippolt*
Julie Fei-Fan Balzer
Diane McDermott*
Donna Fessler*
Glenn Quirion*
Caroline Holland*
Suzanne Schultz
*Board of Directors
*Advisory Committee
*WLP Young Professionals
*Staff 9
2021 SPAGHETTI DINNER
Silent Auction Sneak Peek
What will you be bidding on? A trip to Martha’s Vineyard? A stunning Ralph Lauren handbag? How about two tickets to the Boston Celtics?
Looking for a new workout? There’s a Community Rowing class for you! If you’re feeling lucky...how about an overnight at Encore Boston Harbor? Maybe you’re more interested in treating yourself...with a: Staycation at XV Beacon? New hairdo from Salon Acote? AIDa Aesthetics facial? For the gifts that keep on giving, there’s some items for you! You could enjoy months of: Cake from Sweet Tooth Boston, Pasta from Sfoglini, Or perhaps a winter farm share from the amazing Siena Farms! Whichever you choose, there will be more to explore. View the full auction starting Monday, October 18th and bid until Friday night at midnight.
There's so much more to see!
How to Bid 1. Scan the QR code or visit https://spaghetti2021.ggo.bid/ 2. Click “Get Started” and log in or create an account 3. View packages, pick your favorite(s), and bid, bid, bid!
Scan to View All Packages 10
4. See live updates and receive notifications when you’re outbid or when you win at the auction’s close (12am)!
WOMEN’S LUNCH PLACE
Auction Sponsors
Carolyn Cline Auction Partners Chef Sherry Hughes
Mariann Youniss
Auction Contributors
Donna Fessler | Linda Given | Janice Hayes-Cha | Martha Stone 11
2021 SPAGHETTI DINNER
Program Speakers Mary Carty, Wlp Board of Directors Mary is the Chair of the Board of Directors at Women’s Lunch Place. She is tasked with leading the group’s oversight of WLP’s fiduciary, strategic, and fundraising goal-setting and outcome tracking.
Jennifer Hanlon Wigon, Wlp Jennifer is the Executive Director of Women’s Lunch Place. In her role, she oversees the refinement of programming across all WLP departments and leads collaboration with the Board of Directors and Advisory Committee to drive strategy and growth for the organization.
Jennifer Culhane, Wlp Board of Directors Jennifer is the Global Head of Digital and Marketing Excellence at Sanofi Genzyme and an acting member of the Board of Directors at WLP. Her passion and experience are invaluable in her efforts to shape WLP’s present and future implementation of the strategic vision, execute the agency’s mission, ensure continued alignment of its programs, and advance fundraising efforts.
Shannon Resetich, Wlp Advisory Committee Shannon is the Global Franchise Head, Rare Disease at Sanofi Genzyme and an acting member of the Advisory Committee at Women’s Lunch Place, which offers professional and personal expertise, generates financial support for events and special projects, and actively recruits new WLP supporters.
Bill Sibold, Sanofi Genzyme Bill is the Executive Vice President of Sanofi Genzyme. He is responsible for building Sanofi’s global leadership position in Specialty Care, with a focus on immunology, neurology, oncology, rare diseases, and rare blood disorders, and oversees the global launch strategy for key products.
Wendy Richard, Sanofi Genzyme Wendy is the Director of Corporate Social Responsibility and Community Relations at Sanofi Genzyme. She is a multi-faceted biopharmaceutical professional, with broad experience across Commercial, Medical, and Corporate Affairs. 12
WOMEN’S LUNCH PLACE
Nancy Armstrong, Wlp Nancy is the Director of Operations at Women’s Lunch Place. In her role, she oversees WLP’s plethora of program areas and provides fundamental guidance for fundraising campaigns, in-kind drives, and grant-writing.
Sherry Hughes, Wlp Sherry is the Head Chef at Women’s Lunch Place. Classically trained, she leads the procurement of food and planning of Healthy Meals at the shelter, managing a team of dedicated staff and volunteers that prepared over 100,000 meals in the past year.
Rachel Klein, Wlp Rachel, a licensed social worker, is the Shelter Manager at WLP. She leads the activity on the floor and coordinates the Direct Care and clinical intern teams, which work together to meet the immediate and basic needs of each woman that turns to us for help.
Allegra Marra, Wlp Allegra is the Volunteer & Corporate Relations Manager at Women’s Lunch Place. In addition to leading and organizing volunteer efforts at the shelter, Allegra is working on launching the Corporate Giving Program within the Development department.
Doris Romero, Wlp Doris is the Outreach Advocate at Women’s Lunch Place. In her role, she manages client relationships with the most vulnerable women in our community, assisting them with complex tasks such as applying for citizenship, searching for housing, and more.
Kris Tyler & Sara Hogenboom, Wlp Kris and Sara are Advocates at Women’s Lunch Place. In their roles they manage client relationships with women across Greater Boston, assisting with housing stabilization, career searches, and more.
Pam Alexander, Volunteer Pam is a volunteer at the Church of Christ in Roxbury, MA. She leads the community outreach efforts to partner with Women’s Lunch Place to deliver hundreds of meals each day to members of the surrounding community. 13
2021 SPAGHETTI DINNER
One Event, Three Ways! If the past year has taught our team anything, it’s that we shouldn’t be “going back to normal,” but rather “growing to a better normal.” Due to your support, we have been able to be nimble, reimagining our programs to best serve the women who depend on us. This year, we approached Spaghetti Dinner as we approach our guests – by honoring the individuality of the situation. We hope that, whichever way you chose to participate in this year’s event, you enjoy the program and learn something new about our organization. Want to show off your meal...wherever you’re enjoying it? Snap a pic, tag @WLPBoston, and use #SD2021 to spread the word.
Virtual
Watch Parties
Fairmont
Individuals or small groups streaming from the comfort of their own homes
Medium group gatherings at multiple locations across the Greater Boston area
Larger, yet scaled-down public watch party at the event’s historical venue
Spaghetti Dinner has always stayed true to its name. We have traditionally served...you guessed it, spaghetti! While we have come a long way from the small shelter gathering it used to be, we are officially naming this year’s dining options “Most Unique.” With three different methods of attending the event, each experience will feature distinct culinary options. For our virtual attendees, takeout vouchers to local Italian restaurants will be available. For our watch parties, Chef Sherry will be cooking up a delicious meal, complete with hors d’oeuvres and dessert. Finally, our friends at the Fairmont will be enjoying a still-Italian, yet not so family-style meal. Check out our local partners on the next page who donated the ingredients to make this night a success.
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Watch Party Partners Cabot Cheese Cabot Creamery Co-op remains committed to the betterment of the communities where they farm and where their products are made, bought, and sold. This commitment is woven into the fabric of who they are.
Curds & Co “As a woman-owned small business, we look for ways to help out other women in our community. We’ve always been impressed by the way WLP does their work with respect and it always feels good to support organizations like this.”
Iggy's Bread The mission of Iggy’s bread of the world is to make breads of the highest quality and then deliver them daily to customers and community partners like WLP with the highest standards of service and integrity. Honesty, mutual respect, sharing, and caring for the people and the planet are the values on which their business is based.
Effie's Homemade “We feel strongly about giving back to our local community. Since the inception of our company we agreed we would always contribute financially and physically to the organizations that help eliminate poverty and support access to healthy and affordable food for everyone. WLP is a “place” that offers dignity to thousands of struggling women and in turn helps to build stronger independent people who contribute to our greater community.”
Tito’s Handmade Vodka “In the early days of Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Tito donated product to local nonprofit events. Over time those small, localized gestures not only continued, but evolved into a nationwide movement to make the world a better place.”
Sweet Tooth Boston Since 2007, Sweet Tooth Boston has been supporting the guests of Women’s Lunch Place by donating beautiful, hand-crafted treats. During our monthly Birthday Fridays, guests gather together to celebrate one another and enjoy a delectable cake designed with love and care from the Sweet Tooth kitchen. 15
2021 SPAGHETTI DINNER
Fund-a-Need $10,000 Provides a year of weekly advocacy stabilization services to keep ten women secure in their new homes
$5,000 Provides two families fleeing domestic violence initial funds for safe housing
$2,500 Provides first month’s rent and startup costs necessary for one woman to leave homelessness
$1,000 Provides financial assistance to pay utility arrearages for two women
$500 Provides fresh and nutritious lunch for all our guests for one day
$300 Provides fresh and nutritious breakfast for all our guests for one day
$100 Provides a guest with a refurbished cell phone for safety and connection to community
Please consider making a gift of any size to support women in need. Scan the QR code to visit our secure online giving portal or visit womenslunchplace.org/sd Thank you for supporting Women’s Lunch Place If you prefer to donate another way: By mail: Women’s Lunch Place, P.O. Box 170900, Boston, MA 02117 By phone: Miriam Cai, 617-449-7200 16
WOMEN’S LUNCH PLACE
Julie’s Dream Apartment THE JOURNEY OF ONE GUEST, FROM HOUSING INSECURITY TO STABILITY
about Women’s Lunch Place. “It’s a small community, the homeless community,” says Julie. “People talk. I remember hearing that you offer vegetarian and meat-based meals. That’s a big thing for some people!”
To WLP––especially the staff, the volunteers she has interacted with, and our donors––Julie has this to say: “You saved my life. My options were shelters… and that’s it. I don’t think I would have had the strength to last three years without your help.” In 2017, Julie was living rent-free with an old friend. She had a job scanning medical documents, but a health condition was depleting her income faster than she could earn it. The same condition had also dried up Julie’s savings, leaving her without a contingency plan. Months passed by, and tension grew between Julie and her friend. Once their relationship soured, Julie had no one else to turn to. She left her friend’s house and spent the night on a bench in Copley Square. It was a first in what would become a three-year period of chronic homelessness. When the weather became intolerable, Julie would check into a shelter. Like many of our guests, this is where she first learned
Julie quickly fell into a routine at WLP. She would arrive, have breakfast, take a shower, and read in the library until close. She’d then head to the overnight shelter, sleep, and repeat. We provided a welcome daytime refuge, as by this time, Julie’s medical condition had rendered her completely unable to work. Looking back, Julie observes that when she first became homeless, “things that felt small–-things that you take for granted––became very big.” High-quality meals, personal hygiene products and showers, laundry services, friendly volunteers in the Welcome Center––this was what motivated Julie to return to our community. Once trust was established it wasn’t long before she began working with an Advocate on her longer-term issues. “I wasn’t receiving some of my benefits… and on the first day we had that fixed,” says Julie. “My advocate was making phone calls that I didn’t feel comfortable making. When I didn’t have clothes, she would bring me clothes––even a winter coat.”
At the onset of the pandemic, Julie was hospitalized with a bone infection after suffering a hard fall. Because she had already been working with WLP to secure housing, Julie was able to transition from the hospital to a safe, Single Room Occupancy (SRO) in a communal living situation. Once she had a space of her own, Julie’s health began to improve. After a year in the SRO, with WLP assistance, Julie acquired a Section 8 voucher. We coordinated a housing search and found a onebedroom rental in the West End. Julie applied for the space right away, with WLP assisting with the paperwork and other logistical tasks. On June 1st of this year, she moved in. She remains ecstatic when talking about her new apartment. “It has everything. It’s quiet, there’s a washer and dryer on every floor, utilities are included, and it’s near a public transportation hub,” says Julie, who continues to visit WLP weekly and work through intimidating bureaucratic issues. Recently, she and her Advocate called the Social Security Administration together to ensure that Julie keeps receiving the disability benefits that are her only source of income; and while she no longer needs our shower and laundry services, Julie still enjoys a healthy WLP breakfast in our dining room whenever she visits. 17
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A Kitchen for the Community THE WLP KITCHEN HAS ALWAYS BEEN FOCUSED ON BEST SERVING OUR GUESTS...BUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE NEEDS OF OUR GUEST COMMUNITY EXPANDS BEYOND OUR DOORS?
Spaghetti Dinner began nearly 40 years ago as a humble, buffet-style fundraiser with spaghetti as the main course! This year, Chef Sherry was inspired to return to that traditional menu––preparing scratchmade spaghetti and meatballs, marinara sauce, garlic bread, a charcuterie board, and a light and crisp salad. The meal will be accompanied by delicacies donated from partners at Curds & Co., Cabot, Iggy’s, and Effie’s Homemade.
As the pandemic has developed, the WLP Healthy Meals Program has pivoted to a hybrid operation. Not only is the kitchen serving guests within the doors of 67 Newbury, but they have also been preparing hundreds of to-go meals each day for several community partners, including, but not limited to: St. Mary’s Center for Women and Children: WLP is preparing and delivering healthy dinners for 53 homeless families living in residential shelters in Dorchester, one of the most ethnically diverse and under-served neighborhoods in the City of Boston. Community Outreach via Church of Christ, Roxbury: WLP is preparing and delivering 750 healthy meals a week to residents of Roxbury who are food insecure and do not have reliable access to meals. In addition, the kitchen has prepared meals for a number of small, neighborhood Spaghetti Dinner watch parties, which are being held across Greater Boston on the night of October 22nd. 18
How are they managing to fit this project into their already stuffed operations at the shelter? In Sherry’s words, “we’re putting up an Italian flag in the kitchen, turning on some Bocelli, and getting our trusted team of staff and volunteers in here to make it happen. It’s going to be a treat fit for the incredible supporters who make everything at Women’s Lunch Place possible.”
WOMEN’S LUNCH PLACE
The Carty Family is proud to be among the supporters of Women’s Lunch Place.
We continue to support the mission and
extraordinary work of Women’s Lunch Place. These past two years have been extremely difficult, yet WLP never wavered in its ability to adapt and continue providing care to those in need. They have our utmost respect and admiration for a job well done. - Kay Calvert & Jim Manzi 19
2021 SPAGHETTI DINNER
From the Honoree THIS YEAR’S SPAGHETTI DINNER HONOREE, SANOFI GENZYME, REFLECTS ON THEIR 14 YEARS OF SUPPORT AND SHARES WHY THEY STILL SUPPORT WLP TODAY
Board and Advisory Committee. There, they are helping guide WLP into our role as a visionary, collaborative leader in Greater Boston.
At this year’s Spaghetti Dinner, Women’s Lunch Place is honoring Sanofi Genzyme and celebrating a partnership that stretches back for over 14 years. With almost 4,000 employees, Sanofi Genzyme is one of the largest life sciences employers in the commonwealth. They focus on difficult-to-treat diseases like rare blood disorders and multiple sclerosis, and they are wholly committed to contributing directly to their surrounding community. “We have been honored to have a partnership with Women’s Lunch Place since 2008,” said Bill Sibold, Executive Vice President at Sanofi Genzyme. “We are proud of the exceptional work that this organization does in providing a safe, judgmentfree community for women battling the obstacles that accompany poverty.” Throughout our partnership, Sanofi Genzyme has improved the well-being of our guests by helping to strengthen Healthy Meals and other dynamic WLP programs. Beyond volunteering to serve our guests and corporate financial support, executives like Shannon Resetich and Jennifer Culhane have stepped into critical advisory roles on the WLP 20
“Over the past several years, I’ve had the privilege of serving on the Advisory Committee and becoming involved in the work of WLP. It’s been really special to see that the organizations have similarities––in mission and in support of underserved populations,” said Resetich, Global Franchise Head, Rare Diseases at Sanofi Genzyme. “Seeing the work of WLP has absolutely given me new ideas and perspective that I have directly infused into the work I do with Sanofi Genzyme, particularly in Advocacy and Comprehensive Services.
WOMEN’S LUNCH PLACE
“What you do, you do so well––by providing respect and health equity, enabling and activating lives and careers, and helping women to problem solve in all areas of their lives. We support WLP because what you do, and how you show up in the community and for the clients you serve, is truly best in class.” Thank you, Sanofi Genzyme, for 14 years of support, and for believing in our motto, “Dignity Is Everything.” We look forward to continuing to grow our partnership and further serve vulnerable populations from Women’s Lunch Place’s unique, relationship-driven service model, which provides women with a path to self-sufficiency, improved health, housing, and financial stability. “What clearly stands out to me as most rewarding in my work with Women’s Lunch Place has been to get to know the staff and leaders at the shelter,” said Culhane, Global Head of Digital & Marketing Excellence at Sanofi Genzyme. “They’re the full power behind the services and the successes. The way in which the team has been navigating through COVID, finding even more ways to reach and serve guests, combining that with their unwavering focus on the guests as individuals––that truly continues to awe and inspire me.”
Thank you for your support of Women’s Lunch Place
“Women’s Lunch Place is an example of touching this full ecosystem, and having this equity lens on the population that you serve,” said Wendy Richard, Director, Corporate Social Responsibility and Community Relations at Sanofi Genzyme.
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WOMEN’S LUNCH PLACE
Not your average internship MEET THE INTERNS WHO ARE LEARNING FIRST-HAND HOW OUR TEAM RUNS THE SHELTER AND PROVIDES HIGHLY PERSONALIZED SERVICES TO OUR GUESTS
This past fiscal year we instituted a Clinical Intern program, which consists of a group of four first-year, master’s level social work and mental health students, who rotate through shifts in Direct Care, where they hone guest engagement skills, and Advocacy, where they deepen one-on-one service delivery skills. The required academic supervision is overseen by our Shelter Manager, a LICSW. Rayna: “One thing that I learned at WLP was all of our guests’ names. I’ve been able to build a relationship with a lot of them, which is really cool, and it’s nice to see some of the same faces every day and get to know them. One thing that surprised me was how many trans women come into the shelter. I wasn’t expecting to see so many unhoused trans women compared to the general population.” Melanie: “Every guest that comes in has a different reason and different needs. I think we’re taught to criminalize homeless people and not approach them on the street, or completely ignore them and strip them of their humanity. Directly working with the
guests every day, seeing them more than I see my own family, I learned that they’re just human beings–– some just may not have access to mental health care, and those things need to be addressed when we’re thinking about how we approach them.” Kali: “Working at Women’s Lunch Place I learned how to juggle a lot of things. It was a really fast-paced environment. When I first started here I didn’t expect for the women who come in to stop me and want to tell me about their day and what they have going on, but it was so nice to build relationships and learn more about their lives. Mary Sophia: “The most surprising thing about my internship was seeing the diversity of women that came in. I had the preconceived notion that it would mostly be women who are living on the street, but I also saw women who were housed, living in transition, and living in shelters. I think the women who come in every day feel a sense of belonging, a sense of community––they can play cards together and just have that place to go and be safe with each other.” 23
2021 SPAGHETTI DINNER
Making lives better in the community Liberty Mutual Insurance is proud to support Women’s Lunch Place. We honor your commitment to supporting the development of self-sustaining skills for women experiencing hunger, homelessness, and poverty.
Needham Bank is proud to support programming provided by
Women’s Lunch Place Here for the dreamers, the doers and the builders. Whether you’re building a business, a home or a nest egg, we’re ready to help.
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Wlp In the News Since the last Spaghetti Dinner, Women’s Lunch Place has been catching the eye of local media. Podcast, radio, TV, print, and online news outlets have covered a variety of our programs and accomplishments, honing in on what makes WLP unique within the field of human services providers. Here are some of the highlights:
GBH, On the pandemic-focused radio show “In it Together,” host Arun Rath conversed with WLP Executive Director, Jennifer Hanlon Wigon, covering the “Lunch Is On Us” restaurant and hunger relief program, adaptations at the shelter, and more.
Wbz-tv, Chef Sherry appeared on Boston’s local CBS affiliate to talk about how we continued to serve our guests throughout the pandemic. The segment also highlighted the “Treat HERself” campaign, created by local women business owners in support of WLP.
Wbur, Arielle Gray, journalist and arts engagement producer at WBUR, featured our Mother’s Day Card Campaign and guest artist Darcy. The article appeared online and helped direct new donors to the project, which achieved a new fundraising record.
The Rainbow Times, The largest LGBTQ news outlet in New England, the Rainbow Times, published an in-depth piece about the trans community at WLP. It concludes with a full-length poem from WLP guest Natasha, entitled “Simple Transgender Girl.”
Boston Herald, Reporter Alexi Cohan featured WLP in her column on the expiration of the CDC’s eviction moratorium. Appearing on the front page of the Sunday edition, it specifically documented the rise in demand for WLP’s Advocacy services.
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We love sharing the amazing stories, pictures, and mission moments we encounter on a daily basis at 67 Newbury Street (and beyond). Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop and see what your support does for our guests.
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Natasha on Being trans at Wlp is a task that she still enjoys today, and one that has resulted in a significant increase in trans guests at WLP since Natasha’s arrival.
In 2016, Natasha came out as trans in a small, conservative town. After years of keeping her identity a secret, she knew that a public transition meant that her support network would immediately vanish. “It’s like burying your family before they die,” Natasha said. “Initially, I thought there might have been only one or two other trans girls in Massachusetts.” In search of a more progressive place to live, Natasha decided to move to Boston; however, without any friends or family in the area, she quickly found herself homeless and in need of help. Natasha checked in at Pine Street Inn and was referred to Women’s Lunch Place by a new acquaintance at the shelter. A self-described extrovert, she found WLP to be an environment in which she was free to be herself. “The staff, they treat you like a woman. They don’t question you,” said Natasha. Despite suffering from extreme anxiety and depression, Natasha established a trusting relationship with members of the Direct Care team. “When I was being quiet, they knew something was wrong,” said Natasha, remarking on the WLP staff’s perceptiveness and attention to detail. It wasn’t long before Natasha became an essential fixture at the shelter. Hoping to share her newfound safe space, she began inviting other trans women, briefing them about WLP, and encouraging them to join our community. The Direct Care team took notice and started relying on Natasha to assist with welcoming new trans guests and easing them into an unfamiliar environment. This 26
“Unfortunately, Women’s Lunch Place is one of the only environments where trans women can count on being treated with kindness and respect, instead of violence and aggression,” said Nancy Armstrong, Director of Operations at WLP. “We have been dedicated to fostering and maintaining a warm and protected place that is intentionally inclusive to all who identify as women.” Massachusetts State Rep. Jon Santiago, who has continued to serve as an attending physician in emergency medicine at the Boston Medical Center since taking office, confirmed these thoughts from his perspective in the medical and political world. “In conversations with my own patients, I am constantly disheartened to hear countless stories about how inaccessible critical and basic healthcare services are to those in the trans community, especially Black trans women,” said Rep. Santiago. “Discrimination and transphobia in housing, healthcare, and jobs only serve to exacerbate inequities and induce further trauma. We have a responsibility to provide safe, supportive spaces for our neighbors in the trans community. Thank you to Women’s Lunch Place for being one of those safe spaces.” Currently, Natasha is working on several things at WLP: publishing a book of poetry, scheduling upcoming surgeries, and moving into her new home––a space that she found through working diligently with a WLP Advocate. “When you have nothing and you’re out on the streets, a little kindness can go a long way,” said Natasha. “Women’s Lunch Place not only does the little things, but they’ll also go out of their way to help you with the big stuff… and sometimes you need that, because it gets pretty hopeless out there.”
WOMEN’S LUNCH PLACE
Simple Transgender Girl by Natasha
What does it matter, what can you see? I’m just trying to live my life as me. But like a cancer, you hold a knife,
You spit on me and call me names,
To cut me out and end my life.
A mistake I bear, who’s to blame?
Who would choose to be cast out,
Life is hard, the world is cold,
to be unloved, to live in doubt?
As I change, my life unfolds.
I want to dance, twist and twirl,
You call me queer, you call me freak,
The body of a boy, the soul of a girl.
But never listen or hear me speak.
So try to see me, a second glance,
It’s who I am, what’s in my heart,
See what’s in my heart, give me a chance.
Trying to be me, not play a part. But you turn away and cast me out,
This is my life, this is my world,
I scream in vain, you holler and shout.
I’m not a freak, I’m a transgender girl.
We are honored to be a sponsor of the
Women’s Lunch Place Spaghetti Dinner
“SURROUND YOURSELF WITH ONLY PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO LIFT YOU HIGHER.”
Arbella’s Foundation is proud to support charitable organizations that better our communities and will remain a strong, positive, and local presence among individuals and families throughout New England.
– Oprah
We proudly support the Women’s Lunch Place and its mission to provide hope, healing and dignity to women who are experiencing homelessness and poverty.
Worcester
Framingham
Boston
BOWDITCH.COM
HERE.FOR OUR COMMUNITIES. HERE. FOR GOOD.
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2021 SPAGHETTI DINNER
Meals are better when shared together.
LGA and Janine Danielson, Board Member, are proud to support Women’s Lunch Place for the meaningful and impactful work they do for women in the community! Janine M. Danielson, CPA Partner Managing Director of Outsourced Management Accounting Women’s Lunch Place Board of Directors
Always an honor to be associated with Women’s Lunch Place. - Joyce Kosofsky & Ken Gloss
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WOMEN’S LUNCH PLACE
Wlp Young Professionals
We are on the lookout for young professionals looking to volunteer, help propel WLP fundraising efforts, connect with other YPs, improve their networking skills, and learn more about the organization as a whole.
Scan the QR code above to visit womenslunchplace. org/young-professionals and learn more, sign up for our newsletter, The Lunch Break, connect on LinkedIn, or become a member!
Holland & Knight is proud to support
Women’s Lunch Place
Cheers to the amazing staff and volunteers of Women’s Lunch
and its work to provide hope, healing and dignity to women who are experiencing homelessness and poverty.
Place. We are so proud of the work you do each and every day to help women in need.
www.hklaw.com Boston, MA | 617.523.2700
- Dean Goodermote & Diane Arnold
Copyright © 2021 Holland & Knight LLP All Rights Reserved
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2021 SPAGHETTI DINNER
Team Wlp for the Win ! FOR THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS, WLP SUPPORTERS HAVE BEEN RALLYING TOGETHER TO RAISE FUNDS FOR THE SHELTER AND TRAIN FOR THEIR FITNESS EVENT
Our long-time partner, Women in Insurance in New England, or W.I.N.E. for short, hosted their Fall golf event. They hit a hole in one and collected over $62,000 so our team can continue to provide meals, advocacy, and critical care to women in need.
What do a cyclist, a runner, and a golfer have in common? They’ve all been fundraising for WLP!
A sincere thank you to all those who took part and helped raise awareness about the issues our guests face each and every day.
Over the Summer, Team WLP has been working hard to spread the word about our mission and raise critical funds for the shelter. On October 3rd, 28 riders gathered together and rode the Ride for Food, raising over $50,000 for WLP. Several days later, our three-member Marathon team took on the notorious race, raising a whopping $24,000.
We are proud to support the
I am proud to support the skilled, creative and caring staff of Women’s Lunch Place. - Eileen Hsü-Balzer
efforts of Women’s Lunch
Place to provide comfort and support to women in need. Congratulations to Sanofi
Genzyme for their dedication to supporting the community through philanthropy.” - The McGee Family
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WOMEN’S LUNCH PLACE
Get Engaged THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING SPAGHETTI DINNER - PLEASE STAY CONNECTED! BELOW ARE A LIST OF WAYS TO GET ENGAGED AND CONTINUE FUELING OUR MISSION
Host a Fundraiser Our greatest, most urgent need is funding – during an uncertain time, general funds allow us to be nimble and adapt. Host a Facebook Fundraiser or send an email to your friends and family. Or simply spread the word by telling your community about WLP and why you support our mission, and asking them to join you in helping us meet the need.
Use Amazon Smile If you haven’t already, please add us as your preferred Amazon Smile Charity and shop through Amazon Smile (all purchases count and it really adds up!) Bookmark Amazon Smile (smile.amazon.com) so you remember to shop through that link instead of the regular Amazon website. We only get proceeds when you shop through that link.
Set Up Monthly Giving Want to provide critical funds to WLP on a regular basis? Become a recurring donor to give weekly, monthly, or annually. Recurring donations are a perfect way to provide consistent support so our team can continue to connect women with the services they need to survive. To sign up, simply check, “Make this a recurring gift” on our general donation page!
Volunteer Opportunities We rely on the hard work, dedication, and spirit of volunteers who contribute to every aspect of WLP’s programs. If you are interested in volunteering, we’d love to hear from you! While our in-person opportunities are limited to promote social distancing, please check our website, which is updated frequently with new opportunities. 31
Thank you for your support!
Join us. Watching from home? Stream the program by visiting: https://womenslunchplace.org/sd Questions? Contact Chloe at 617-383-7271 or chloe@womenslunchplace.org