Cummings Foundation is a unicorn in the landscape of nonprofit philanthropy.
Since 1986, Joyce and Bill Cummings have donated a vast number of buildings managed by their thriving commercial real estate firm, Cummings Properties, to their foundation. An unprecedented move in the private sector, these donations established a reliable, ongoing revenue source—rental profits—to fund their philanthropy.
Read MoreWithin Greater Boston’s human services sector, Women’s Lunch Place is a well-known safe space for members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
We are uniquely prepared to create such a space, not just because over 20% of our staff and board members identify as LGBTQIA+, but also because we are trained and experienced in addressing the specific traumas and barriers that our queer guests are grappling with.
Read More“Women’s Lunch Place offers compassion. There’s a welcoming glow, and you’re always treated with dignity and respect and concern.”
These words are from an elderly guest, Kiki, who has been making daily visits to our shelter and advocacy center for healthy meals and protection from the cold.
Read MoreMolly is a long-term guest of Women’s Lunch Place, who we first began working with when she was discharged from the hospital to our care. She had been experiencing severe physical and emotional abuse from her intimate partner, and she still struggles with mental and physical disabilities that stem from this violence.
Read MoreImagine that you’ve lost your identification card, and you’re homeless. Until you get a new ID, you cannot apply for housing, gain employment, open a bank account, or sign up for food stamps and social security benefits, among other vital tasks.
Read MoreThis 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.
Read MoreDuring the 2008 recession, Connie was laid off from her longtime job as an administrative assistant. As she began bouncing from one temporary position to another, she fell into a deep depression and her savings began to dwindle. Without a viable safety net, she became unable to pay rent and began sleeping on the street.
Read MoreI 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.
Read MoreFor the past seven years, tent encampments have been at the center of the dialogue surrounding Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard. Often missing from the overall discourse has been the role tents play in obscuring the lives and unique voices of homeless women.
Read More“Sometimes life throws you a twist, and you just have to keep trying.”
In early October, hurricanes, earthquakes, and COVID-19 forced Patricia out of her lifelong home in Puerto Rico.
As an insurance salesperson working solely for commissions, Patricia’s income had plummeted in the wake of the catastrophes, as many Puerto Ricans terminated their policies to pay for essentials like food, rent, and health care.
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