Pine Street Inn, New England's largest homeless services organization, dedicated its Women's Inn shelter in Boston's South End today, unveiling "Yawkey House" in recognition of the Yawkey Foundation's transformational support. Leaders from both organizations, including Maureen H. Bleday, CEO and trustee of Yawkey Foundation, and Lyndia Downie, president and executive director of Pine Street Inn, celebrated the naming in a ceremony today, Jean Yawkey's 115th birthday.
The renaming of the Women's Inn as Yawkey House is in recognition of a $15 million gift, the largest single commitment in Pine Street's history, from the Yawkey Foundation in December 2021. The Foundation's commitment to advancing Pine Street's mission to end homelessness by making permanent housing a reality for the most vulnerable individuals, will considerably advance Pine Street's vision of "a home and community for everyone."
The gift is enabling Pine Street to create 400-500 new units of permanent housing over five years, an approximately 40% increase in its total units. The grant has already led to material improvements at the Women's Inn, including the replacement of more than 300 deteriorating windows with new, energy-efficient windows that bring in additional natural light, and a renovation to the shelter lobby.
The Yawkey Foundation is a leading philanthropic organization and a valued partner to Pine Street. Its support spans more than 35 years and has included Foundation staff volunteerism.
Jean Yawkey began personally funding Pine Street Inn in 1988, with a special commitment to supporting the critical needs of women facing major life challenges. The Women's Inn opened in 1980 to serve a growing number of women experiencing homelessness. Pine Street supports more than 1,300 women each year through its street outreach, shelter, workforce development and permanent supportive housing.
"We are deeply grateful to Jean and Tom Yawkey and to the Yawkey Foundation for their unwavering support and partnership. For over 35 years, they have stood by our side, ensuring that the most vulnerable individuals among us receive the support they need to move forward with their lives," said Lyndia Downie, president and executive director of Pine Street Inn. "The Foundation's recent transformational commitment is helping us significantly expand our permanent supportive housing. Naming this building Yawkey House reinforces the impact that the Yawkeys, especially Mrs. Yawkey, had on those who faced major challenges in their lives. What a fitting way to honor her on her birthday."
"During their lifetimes, Jean and Tom Yawkey lived their charitable values by quietly helping individuals gain access to basic human needs: food, medical care, emergency shelter, and a home of one's own," said Maureen H. Bleday, Yawkey Foundation CEO and trustee. "Our trustees see this critical work happening every day with empathy, patience, kindness and expertise — by Pine Street Inn's heroic team offering direct services to Greater Boston's most vulnerable individuals. Jean Yawkey was a champion for women, and we have no doubt that providing this beautifully renovated building, which provides hope, support and dignity - and having it named as 'Yawkey House' - would have been among her proudest, most humbling moments over a lifetime of philanthropy."