Critical Grants Awarded to Boston Area Families and Organizations Addressing COVID-19 Issues for Women and Girls

The Junior League of Boston (JL Boston) is pleased to announce their contribution totaling $22,500 to various Greater Boston organizations and families in support of the impact COVID-19 is having across the community. The grants were announced at the JL Boston Annual Meeting on Monday, June 15, 2020, and marked their commitment to their mission of supporting women and girls in  the Greater Boston community. JL Boston announced contributions to the Women’s Foundation of Boston COVID-19 Relief Fund, and to recipients of both the Linda K. Ryan Award and Annual Community Assistance Grants. 

JL Boston contributed $5,000 to the Women’s Foundation of Boston COVID-19 Relief Fund, matched by an anonymous donor to further the impact. 

Knowing that women and girls in Greater Boston face growing challenges amplified by COVID-19, which dramatically increase the risks for many in poverty, the Women’s Foundation of Boston established the COVID-19 Relief Fund. It is the hope of JL Boston that this contribution will further support those in need, with a focus on those most impacted by COVID-19. JL Boston’s contribution to this effort is made possible by a generous bequest from a member, the late Faith Sulloway (1920-2013).

“Aligned closely with our own mission, the Junior League of Boston believes strongly in the opportunity that the Women’s Foundation of Boston COVID-19 Relief Fund is creating for women and girls in the Boston community,” said Junior League of Boston President Michelle Lentz. “It is our hope that our contribution to this fund will further support those in need, especially during these unprecedented times.” 

“The generous donation to the Women’s Foundation of Boston Response Fund from the Junior League of Boston was truly impactful,” said Christina Gordon, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Women’s Foundation of Boston. “This funding was immediately doubled by our match challenge and enabled us to continue emergency funding to the Boston women- and girls-serving nonprofits who have been hardest hit by the pandemic crisis. Support by the Junior League of Boston illustrates the importance of community and collaboration in our city to move forward during this challenging time.  We are honored to be funded by the JL and look forward to future opportunities to work together to empower the women and girls in our city.” 

Through the Linda K. Ryan Award, JL Boston awarded $7,500 to over three dozen local families involved in the organization’s community service programs. Many of their community program participants and their families are facing economic challenges due to COVID-19, and JL Boston is proud to support families with direct aid to lessen the burden of the unforeseen circumstances.

JL Boston awards Community Assistance Grants annually to local organizations based on need and alignment with the JL Boston mission of promoting the health and wellness of women and girls in the Greater Boston area. This year, JL Boston awarded a total of $10,000 to four local organizations, with a special focus on those serving communities particularly affected by COVID-19. 

The four organizations receiving $2,500 grants each are Friends of the Hernández (FOH), Rosie’s Place, Transition House and Women’s Lunch Place.

1. Friends of the Hernández (FOH), located in Roxbury, MA. The grant will  support their After School Program at the Rafael Hernández K-8 Dual Language Immersion School. The After School Program contributes to the cultural fabric of the surrounding neighborhood by offering students arts programming and dual-language education. Their mission is to support and advocate for the Rafael Hernández K-8 Dual Language Immersion School and the surrounding community.
2. Rosie’s Place, located in Boston, MA.The grant will support their Food Program, which is the lifeline to their guests who have nowhere else to turn. Each year Rosie’s Place welcomes and provides food to 2,000 guests. Their mission is to provide a safe and nurturing environment that helps poor and homeless women maintain their dignity, seek opportunity and find security in their lives.
3. Transition House, located in Cambridge, MA. The grant will support the establishment of the Family & Children’s Services Health Program and the funding of a part-time Family Nurse Care Manager. Their mission is to break the cycle of domestic violence in our community.
4. Women’s Lunch Place, located in Boston, MA. The grant will support their continued efforts to outreach to women in need and to continue to serve more than 200 meals each day to the women who have been severely impacted by COVID-19. Their mission is to provide nutritious food and individualized services for women who are experiencing homelessness or poverty.

“We were so inspired by all grant applicants. Each have made incredible accomplishments and have even greater potential for future impact,” said Junior League of Boston President Michelle Lentz. “We chose our grants recipients based on their unique program offerings which best align with our own mission at the individual, group and community level, as well as their need during these unprecedented times. We are proud to invest in their efforts to help further their ability to positively impact the Greater Boston community.”

To donate to JL Boston and help expand its impact, please visit https://www.jlboston.org/individual-donors/