Volunteer Newsletter: September 2019
Ride for Fun
Ride for Food
When Megan Hall first got involved with Women’s Lunch Place as a kitchen volunteer, she was immediately compelled by the volunteers and staff. When preparing to serve guests lunch, another volunteer explained how she liked to place the plate down so that the entrée was in front, just like they do it in high-end restaurants. Megan loved the intentionality of the volunteers and organization’s emphasis on dignity and respect.
After deepening her relationship with WLP and later joining the board in 2018, Megan signed up to ride for Team WLP in the Ride for Food, an annual charity ride organized by Three Squares New England that raises thousands of dollars for local hunger relief organizations. She explained that “the Ride is a fun way to engage friends” and invite them to learn about WLP. Although Megan has done races to support other causes, they were always for a single organization. She loves Ride for Food’s synergistic atmosphere and enjoyed connecting with supporters of other hunger relief organizations in the region.
To those thinking about riding or supporting Team WLP’s $30,000 fundraising goal, Megan encourages everyone to join or support and describes the day as “a lot of fun – it’s a manageable distance (even for non-cyclists), a beautiful riding course,” and, most importantly, “an amazing community experience.” If you are interested in joining or supporting Team WLP for the 2019 Ride for Food, visit our website or email chloe@womenslunchplace.org for more information.
Shelter Updates
THANK YOU to our amazing volunteers who helped organize, translate, distribute, and collect responses from our annual Guest Survey.
The survey consisted of 34 questions and collected demographic information such as age, income, and working status, as well as details about our guests' current and evolving needs.
We have recently rearranged office space on the third and fourth floors to better accommodate the growing need for our advocacy services. If you haven't visited the upper floors or would like to see the new spaces, contact Allegra to schedule a tour.
WLP Staff Spotlight
Welcome Rachel! Welcome to our new Shelter Manager, Rachel Klein! Rachel comes to us with more than 12 years of experience in the non-profit human service sector. For the past 5 years, she has been the supervisor and mental health clinician at St. Francis House Women’s Center. Rachel is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker with a Masters degree from Boston University. She is bilingual in Spanish and shares our vision of supporting women who are living in poverty and homelessness to achieve a more stable life. At St. Francis House she led a diverse, interdisciplinary team. And…many years ago she was a relief support staff at Women’s Lunch Place. Please join us in welcoming Rachel Klein!
Rachel Klein
Shelter Manager
You can reach me at: rachelk@womenslunchplace.org
Summer fun Favorite: "Going to the beach, camping or making S'mores! Basically, anything that involves being outside.”
REVIEW US!
Want to help WLP get the word out about our volunteer opportunities? Review your experience as a WLP volunteer.
Volunteer reviews help prospective volunteers and community stakeholders learn about WLP.
Contact Chloe with questions about how to share your experience.
OFFICE SUPPLY DRIVE
Clean out your office drawer or take advantage of back-to-school deals and help us stock the Resource Center with job and housing search, education, and general office supplies.
We’re currently in need of USB drives, earbuds, notebooks, journals, pens, highlighters and Post-It notes.
Items can be dropped off or mailed to the shelter: 67 Newbury St., Boston.
Email events@womenslunchplace.org for more info.
WLP Executive Director search update:
As an essential part of our organization, we want to keep you all informed about the behind the scenes happenings. The Board’s Executive Search Committee is still working on finding the perfect fit for the Executive Director role. We are thrilled that Judy Beckler has agreed to continue as our Interim ED until the search has been completed and will keep you informed on any decisions.
Judy also hopes to plan a gathering where volunteers and staff can share ideas and communicate about WLP programming and volunteer needs. Be on the look-out for a date for that soon!