New Year's Letter from the Executive Director

I am reflecting on my note from a year ago, when we imagined the end of the pandemic was in sight.

It is a hard reality that even with vaccinations and continued precautions we are still faced with an ongoing crisis. I look back at 2021 with gratitude for our staff members’ expertise, diligence, creativity, and especially their good humor.

Together, despite the uncertainty of the pandemic and the constant pivots to address the needs in our shelter and the wider community, we increased our impact and looked forward through an intensive strategic planning process.

A new year is filled with possibilities. At Women’s Lunch Place, that could be a guest working on a housing application or seeking a referral for a substance use program. Unfortunately, we know that not everyone will succeed in meeting their goals.

Trauma, mental health, and substance use disorders can be significant barriers to achievement. Racial and gender inequities and multi-generational exclusion from the social determinants of health have created systemic roadblocks. This can be disheartening.

Yet every day the staff at WLP welcome guests into our community, determined that each woman has the potential to build relationships, access resources, and create a new pathway forward. In 2022, the WLP team will lean in further to meet the unique needs of women experiencing hunger, homelessness, and poverty.

We are investing in staff training and development, with a special focus on building mental health supports throughout our service areas. We are deepening and expanding our programs and collaborative partnerships to ensure vulnerable women, who are often rendered invisible, have access to housing, healthcare, and economic empowerment.

None of this is possible without you, our WLP community of stakeholders. The many ways in which you participate in and support our mission strengthens our service and ensures that the dignity of every guest is honored.

We are proud to have you standing with us.

Thank you,

Jennifer Hanlon Wigon
Executive Director
Women’s Lunch Place