New Year's Message from the Executive Director

Dear Friends of Women’s Lunch Place,

As we mark four decades of our existence as a daytime shelter and advocacy center, I am in awe of the community that our founders, staff, supporters, and guests have created. Women’s Lunch Place has been and continues to be the safest place in Boston for vulnerable women. 

Today, more women than ever before are relying on WLP’s core offerings––nutrition, laundry, showers, emergency items, health and wellness, housing resources, and one-on-one advocacy support. Across all our programming, we are focused on meeting the unique needs of women and the trauma histories of our guests. Our gender-specific environment allows for an escape from abuse and systematic neglect.

We have expanded in three key areas, with new initiatives that are direct responses to three of the most pressing needs among our guest community: legal assistance, economic empowerment, and mental health programming.

Legal Services: WLP has partnered with Greater Boston Legal Services, who have hired an attorney dedicated to our work. They will begin by assisting with housing and benefits issues while steadily building a caseload of WLP clients and addressing complex barriers to stability and well-being.

Employment: In addition to employment preparation supports available in the WLP Resource Center, we have expanded our workforce development options through partnerships with local companies who work with us to place our employment-ready guests in full-time positions.

Wellness: Currently, we host four different substance use disorder recovery programs each week as well as nutrition, therapeutic expression, and healthcare offerings. Mindfulness is a key focus as it has tangible benefits for both mental and physical health.

The year ahead is sure to bring additional, unforeseen challenges and obstacles for the women we serve. As housing, mental health, and food insecurity crises collide, we are prepared to guide our guests toward greater health and self-sufficiency. In keeping with a 40-year tradition, we will meet each woman who turns to us for help with dignity and respect.

Thank you for your support, 

Jennifer Hanlon Wigon
Executive Director
Women’s Lunch Place