Guest Feature: Lillian Hunt, 2022 Mother's Day Card Artist

This year’s Women’s Lunch Place Mother’s Day Card artist is Lillian Hunt. 

Ten years ago, Lillian suffered a severe traumatic brain injury. While undergoing intensive physical rehabilitation, she and her husband experienced bouts of temporary homelessness before eventually settling into permanent housing. Because of Lillian’s injury, her husband took care of the family logistics. However, when his own health began to decline, they were unable to earn income and manage their finances. Shortly thereafter, Lillian and her husband were evicted for nonpayment of rent.  

With his condition worsening, Lillian’s husband moved into assisted living, and she began temporarily staying with her son, but this was only a short-term solution. With no one else to help her, Lillian eventually ended up homeless and began living at Pine Street Inn, where another resident directed her to us for help with finding housing. 

Enter Women’s Lunch Place. Through five months of steady work with Doris, her WLP Advocate, Lillian was able to secure a one-bedroom apartment via Boston Medical Center’s “Elders Living at Home” program. This was an unusually fast process, catalyzed due to Lillian’s advanced age, health issues, and homeless status. 

Beyond helping meet Lillian's material needs, we continue to maintain our relationship as she settles into her new neighborhood. Through our Housing Stabilization program, she is receiving critical individual case management services while remaining a valued member of the WLP community. 

“Women’s Lunch Place helps many women who are dealing with stressful housing and homeless circumstances,” said Lillian. “But we thrive thanks to their healthy meals and their Advocates’ positivity.” 

When offered the chance to collaborate with local artist Janice Hayes-Cha on this year’s Mother’s Day Card design, Lillian jumped at the opportunity. She and Janice spent hours together refining the floral collage with carefully cut and curated additions.  At our shelter, they alternated between friendly, lively banter (“How about this piece, here?”) and quiet concentration. 

“This work with Janice was an enriching project that I have never done before,” said Lillian. “I enjoyed the collaboration. Her patience and guidance made me feel comfortable and at ease. My gracious thanks also go to Ms. Doris, my Advocate, for telling me about this Mother’s Day program.” 

Hayes-Cha works in a uniquely appropriate medium for this campaign, creating intricate designs out of old greeting cards that she gathers from friends and family. With the added benefit of Lillian’s artistic touch, the collage will now be the design for the 2022 greeting card, which our supporters can use to honor the special women in their lives and support the guests of WLP.

Each WLP Mother’s Day card can support a week of healthy lunches for a guest at Women’s Lunch Place. Order yours today, blank or personalized, by clicking here.