Womens Lunch Place Inc

SAFE DAY SHELTER PROVIDING MEALS & CRITICAL SERVICES TO WOMEN EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS OR POVERTY.

MEALS: HUNGER AND FOOD INSECURITY ARE THE PRIMARY REASONS WOMEN COME TO EAT THE HEARTY, HEALTHY AND DELICIOUS FOOD THAT RELIEVES THEIR PANGS OF HUNGER AND MEETS THE NUTRITIONAL NEEDS FOR WOMEN WITH LITTLE OR NO OTHER ACCESS TO GOOD FOOD. EACH DAY STARTS WITH FRESH FRUIT AND HOT CEREAL THAT GIVES WOMEN ENERGY AND DETERMINATION TO IMPROVE THEIR LIVES IN OTHER WAYS. LUNCHES ARE SERVED RESTAURANT-STYLE AND ALWAYS INCLUDE A LEAN PROTEIN ENTRE, A VEGETARIAN OPTION, WHOLE GRAINS, VEGETABLES, SALAD, FRUIT, AND DESSERT. MEALS ARE ENJOYED IN A WARM, WELCOMING DINING COMMUNITY WHERE STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS TAKE TIME TO ENGAGE WITH GUESTS TO HELP SOLVE PROBLEMS AND DEVELOP POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS.

GUEST SERVICES: ALL SERVICES AND CARE ARE GIVEN IN A TRAUMA-INFORMED MANNER. THE SHELTER IS OPEN MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY, THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, FROM 7 AM TO 2 PM. WE PROVIDE HOT SHOWERS, LAUNDRY, TOILETRIES AND EMERGENCY CLOTHING, BASIC NEEDS ALL WHILE COORDINATING AND DELIVERING EFFECTIVE SERVICES THAT HELP WOMEN ACHIEVE GREATER STABILITY. FREE ON-SITE MEDICAL CARE IS PROVIDED BY BOSTON HEALTHCARE FOR THE HOMELESS. WE OFFER HEALTH & WELLNESS WORKSHOPS, GROUP OUTINGS, SUPPORT GROUPS, ART CLASSES, MEDITATION, LITERACY & WRITING CLASSES, AND MUCH MORE TO EMPOWER WOMEN. MONTHLY BIRTHDAY PARTIES & HOLIDAYS ARE CELEBRATED WITH FESTIVE MEALS AND GIFTS.

ADVOCACY: ADVOCATES MEET INDIVIDUALLY GIVING EXPERT ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE ON HOUSING, MENTAL HEALTH, FINANCES, AND OTHER CRITICAL CONCERNS. WE VISIT WOMEN HOSPITALIZED OR HOMEBOUND, AND ACCOMPANY WOMEN TO MEDICAL, HOUSING, AND LEGAL APPOINTMENTS. EMERGENCY FUNDS PAY FOR URGENT UTILITY BILLS, BACK RENT, PRESCRIPTIONS, TRANSPORTATION TO APPOINTMENTS, AND MORE. PREVENTING HOMELESSNESS IS A PRIORITY SO WE WORK WITH EVERY WOMAN RECENTLY HOUSED TO LIVE ON A BUDGET, HELP THOSE AT RISK OF EVICTION, OR NEED TO MOVE FROM UNSAFE OR SUBSTANDARD HOUSING, AND THOSE WHO DO NOT QUALIFY FOR PUBLIC HOUSING ASSISTANCE. AN ADVOCATE HELPS HOMELESS GUESTS COMPLETE APPLICATIONS AND HANDLE THE COMPLICATED AND LENGTHY PROCESS TO OBTAIN LOW INCOME HOUSING.

COLLABORATIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS; SUCCESSFUL COLLABORATIONS WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS ARE CRUCIAL FOR US TO BE EFFECTIVE YET NOT DUPLICATE SERVICES AVAILABLE AT OTHER LOCAL AGENCIES. WE ARE COMMITTED TO MAINTAINING AND BUILDING EXTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS ACROSS ALL OF OUR PROGRAM AREAS. PARTNERSHIPS WITH GREATER BOSTON FOOD BANK, LOVIN SPOONFULS, COMMUNITY FARMS AND GARDENS, AND OTHER LOCAL IN-KIND DONORS RESULTS IN SIGNIFICANT SAVINGS IN FOOD COSTS. OTHER CLOSE PARTNERS INCLUDE BOSTON HEALTHCARE FOR THE HOMELESS, PINE STREE INN, TECH GOES HOME, HEARTH, THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTHS OUTREACH TEAM, LOCAL SHELTERS, HOUSING AGENCIES, LEGAL ORGANIZATIONS, ORGANIZATIONS THAT OFFER MATERIAL ASSISTANCE, AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE PROVIDERS. WE ARE MOST GRATEFUL TO EVERY DONOR, WHOSE GENEROSITY AND COMPASSION PROVIDE THE SERVICES, STAFF AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN EXPERIENCING POVERTY AND HOMELESSNESS TO IMPROVE THEIR LIVES. WE ARE ALSO THANKFUL FOR THE MANY VOLUNTEERS WHO GIVE OF THEIR TIME TO PREPARE AND SERVE MEALS, OFFER CLASSES, WELCOME GUESTS AND HELP IN THE RESOURCE CENTER.