Women's Lunch Place

“Back in 2017, our team volunteered at Women’s Lunch Place. We chopped just about every vegetable you can chop and then helped serve and clean, and then we took a tour. I remember thinking that it was such a remarkable organization. It struck a nerve with me. I saw women who were there for an emotional connection, for a social connection, people who were looking for jobs, or just enjoying lunch in a safe space. The strength of the support that WLP was providing just resonated with me, and really with our entire team. We’ve kept coming back ever since. I served on the board of a nonprofit out of Malden called Triangle for 15 years. Triangle exists to support individuals with disabilities and give them the skills to start a career. I feel that there’s a familiar theme when it comes to WLP, and I can understand and appreciate the work that we’re doing in that regard. I’m incredibly excited to be on the board and contribute in any way I can. And clearly, housing is also so important right now for the guests. We do a ton of commercial real estate work at Brookline Bancorp, and I can’t wait to make introductions to developers and real estate owners in the Greater Boston market.” Join us in welcoming Mike McCurdy, Co-President and COO, Brookline Bancorp Inc to our Board of Directors!

Language capacity. Clinical services. Women-only housing. The strategic priorities of Women's Lunch Place have evolved to meet the ever-changing needs of our guests. It is critical for WLP to be dynamic and adaptive. Watch as Chief Strategy Officer Anne Rickard Jackowitz, Chief Executive Officer Jennifer Hanlon Wigon, and Board President Clemia Brittenum discuss the evolution of WLP's strategic plan. https://lnkd.in/eJewcYZd

We're thrilled to welcome Laura Tomasetti, CEO of 360 Public Relations, back to our Board of Directors! “Almost 30 years ago, I moved back to Boston from Washington D.C. and noticed the Women’s Lunch Place sign as I was walking on Newbury Street one day. I was curious and went inside and was immediately moved and impressed by what I saw. My initial engagement with WLP included collecting toiletries and other essential items for guests and attending an early version of the Spaghetti Dinner. My firm also provided some pro bono communications counsel and I had an opportunity to join the board and be part of the capital campaign that led to a renovation of the shelter in 2011 – the first major renovation to the space since the WLP was founded in 1982. My mother was a mental health practitioner, including serving as a suicide prevention counselor. She was always focused on social causes and, like the staff at WLP, a gifted and compassionate listener, and that has stuck with me. I’m excited to have the opportunity to contribute to the WLP at the board level again. I think that WLP’s work, specifically focusing on serving the needs of women on their path to housing and security, things we often take for granted, is so important. The WLP Leadership have an amazing vision, one that I share. From a communications perspective, I think there is an even larger opportunity to build a wider and deeper awareness and understanding of the WLP’s work and show everyone in our community just how vital that work is.”

"It's not until you actually go into the building... where you see, where you can feel, and you can taste what makes this institution unique." Rachel Goldstein (The Miriam Fund) and Julie Burns (RIZE Massachusetts) speak about their partnerships with Women's Lunch Place, which have enabled a full-time lawyer and expanded addiction recovery programming. https://lnkd.in/eJewcYZd

We're honored to have Greg Wilmot, President & CEO of NeighborHealth, join the Board of Directors of Women's Lunch Place! “For my whole life, my work and volunteerism have been focused on children and families––making sure they have access to nutrition and behavioral and physical healthcare. When I first visited WLP, I immediately noticed their work to connect the social drivers of health together for their guests. I was particularly impressed by the programmatic interventions and plans that WLP has put together to that end. The work that WLP does requires smarts, it requires investment, it requires passion, and most importantly, it requires hope. And you can feel hopefulness when you're interacting with the current leadership. I'm a lifelong learner. So, the opportunity to learn, not just from my fellow board members, but also from the women served every day by WLP, it’s very important to me. I'm also a brick-and-mortar guy. I like to build programs and services. Especially when focusing on issues of equity and access, I'm a deep believer in creating things that are not easily undone. We have an opportunity to move the dial on issues that are pervasive in our community, and with focus and with the right people at the table, there's so, so much that we can accomplish.”

When the folks at Ocean Spray Cranberries are involved, you know you're going to have a berry, berry good time. (Sorry, we had to.) Thank you to volunteers Cory Mace, Danielle DiTommaso, Julio Plata, Keli Sanford, McKinzie Moon, Sarah Pinheiro, and Mayra Wellington, PMP for stepping up in the WLP kitchen and producing hundreds of meals for women in need. You are welcome back anytime! --- If your company is interested in partnering with WLP, visit: https://lnkd.in/eg4XCVBV

Leadership from Women's Lunch Place look to the future in 2025 and beyond! Hear from Chief Executive Officer Jennifer Hanlon Wigon, Chief Strategy Officer Anne Rickard Jackowitz, and Board President Clemia Brittenum. From the WLP Digital Annual Report: https://lnkd.in/eJewcYZd

“Everybody has a story––the guests of WLP all have a story. There was a path that took them to the point of needing assistance, and it can happen to anyone. I’ve always been curious about those stories, and I wanted to get more involved in a local organization that supports the community where I live. I’m really excited for the opportunity to serve women. I think that WLP provides a unique service––it's not just a safe place to have a healthy meal. We assist with everything from education to healthcare, housing, and mental health. Meeting the other board members and hearing their stories has been so inspiring. It’s incredible to see the diversity of talent everyone is lending to WLP. This is also the first board that I've served on, so I’m really looking forward to identifying how to make the most impactful contributions. My background is in finance and accounting, and I’m excited to use those skills in our strategic work. This is a time of transition at WLP, and I think I can provide a forecasting, forward-looking perspective for our upcoming projects.” Join us in welcoming Angela Moncrief to WLP's Board of Directors!

Christmas Day in the Globe! (Boston Globe Media) We're honored to read Niki Griswold's profile of Anne Bromer's transformational $1 million gift and the life-changing work it will support. "“It’s transformative, really,” Jennifer Hanlon Wigon told the Globe. “Women have special needs, they have special drivers into homelessness. And we need to be that light that shines on that and ensures that people are creative around how we approach these women.” https://lnkd.in/e7BcD6u8

As the year winds down, Women's Lunch Place leadership are reflecting FY24 achievements. Clemia Brittenum, Board President, Jennifer Hanlon Wigon, Chief Executive Officer, and Anne Rickard Jackowitz, Chief Strategy Officer, offer their perspectives during a time of immense transformation at WLP. Happy holidays and good tidings from our community to yours!