Women’s Lunch Place is ready for the next chapter. Over the past four decades, we have built a strong suite of programs and services that allow us to meet the growing needs of vulnerable women. Just as our donors have helped lay the foundation for our proactive programming, we are helping to lay the foundation for our guests to rebuild their lives.
Our annual Spaghetti Dinner gala took place on Friday, October 20, 2023. The keynote speaker was Dr. Jim O’Connell, President of Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program.
The heart of Women’s Lunch Place is at 67 Newbury Street, but our influence reaches across the city and beyond. Our collaborations start local with the City of Boston and extend to the National Women’s Shelter Network. Each week, referrals stream in from partners who recognize that our method works––that Women’s Lunch Place can find success in impossible situations.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: DR. JIM O’CONNELL
We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Jim O'Connell, founding physician and President of Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, gave a keynote address at this year's Spaghetti Dinner celebration. Dr. O'Connell's work overlaps with Women's Lunch Place in many ways. In our medical clinic, his staff offers free mental and physical health care for our guests.
Over 1,000 women visited the clinic last year, receiving primary care, screenings, harm reduction, education, and vaccines. Along with our co-founder Dr. Eileen Reilly, Dr. O'Connell also leads a nighttime street team that provides outreach and care for "rough sleepers," some of whom visit us during the day for rest, nutrition, and essential services.
HOST AND EMCEE: LISA HUGHES
Lisa Hughes is a news anchor for WBZ-TV News. She received an Emmy Award for Best News Anchor in 2014 and 2016, and has received both Emmy Awards and an Edward R. Murrow Award for her reporting. Lisa joined us as the Host and Emcee for this year’s Spaghetti Dinner!
MUSICAL PERFORMANCE: TREBLE THREAT
Treble Threat provides women and non-binary members of the Berklee College of Music community an immersive and empowering musical experience within an a cappella environment.
Providing a supportive group dynamic within a professional atmosphere, the group encourages its members both to engage as musicians and arrangers and to develop their musicianship through the ever-changing lens of a cappella music. Treble Threat fosters personal, professional, and musical growth and also promotes collaboration both among its members and with the greater Berklee community.
Each year, Spaghetti Dinner raises funds that sustain the critical services we provide. We would like to thank all our supporters and partners who have helped us succeed in our past events.
Last year, we took a look at the history of WLP and tracked our transformation from a humble lunchtime refuge into a holistic shelter and advocacy center that provides wraparound services to over 2,000 women annually, all while staying true to our motto: Dignity is Everything.
Thank you to our 2023 sponsors!
Champions of Change
Jill A. Greenthal & Thomas Eisenmann
TrailBLAZERS
Mary & Brian Carty
Michele & Howard Kessler
MFS Investment Management
New England Patriots Foundation
Groundbreakers
Anonymous
Kay Calvert & Jim Manzi
Derri Shtasel & Gary Gottlieb
The TJX Foundation Inc.
innovators
Coldwell Banker Cares
Gloria Coolidge
Atsuko & Larry Fish
Kathryn & Alex Golden
Eileen Hsü-Balzer
The McGee Family
Andrew & Mariann Youniss
New England Development
problem solvers
360PR+
Debra & William Bulkeley
Christine & David Letts
Movers + Shakers
Anonymous
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
Brookline Bank
Cynthia L. Berenson
Cambridge Trust Company
The Depper Goldstein Family
Derby Farm Flowers & Gardens
Eastern Bank Foundation
Donna & Steve Fessler
David Comb & Coleen Fitzgibbon
Gordon Brothers Group LLC
Joyce Kosofsky & Kenneth Gloss
Kevin & Stephanie Hawkinson
Jonathan & Patti Kraft
Diane McDermott
Lynn R. Petrasch
Saint Cecilia’s Parish
