N@N

State Street Donates New Resource Center to Womena?s Lunch Place

^{Published on 2011-06-22 06:06:08 - Market Wire}
 

BOSTON--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--The Womena™s Lunch Place announced today that it would receive a $300,000 grant for a new Resource Center from the State Street Foundation, the charitable arm of State Street Corporation (NYSE: STT). This generosity comes as part of a capital campaign, which is raising $2.5 million for the complete renovation of Womena™s Lunch Place, a daytime shelter for Bostona™s women.

"We are proud to contribute to the renovation of the center and to helping more women get access to the resources they need."

The current Resource Center is a full-service office environment that provides access to Internet, telephones, personal voicemail, faxing, office supplies, and reference materials, among other resources. Staff can help guests find employment, housing, healthcare, and referrals to other agencies. In 2008-2009, the space hosted a pilot job readiness initiative, aBreaking the Barriers to Employment.a

With State Streeta™s grant come a number of changes to the Resource Center. The number of desktop computers will double from three to six, and 12 new laptops will enable group instruction in computer literacy classes. Most importantly, increased space will allow Womena™s Lunch Place to provide employment counseling, individual workspaces, and assorted trainings with collaborators. aWith a bigger Resource Center, we can finally alleviate the bottleneck that prevented us from meeting guest demand,a explains Sharon Reilly, Executive Director of Womena™s Lunch Place. With construction slated to finish in September, other stakeholders are also optimistic that a refurbished Resource Center will enable success for more guests.

aAt Womena™s Lunch Place, women can rebuild their lives and get back on the path to success,a said George A Russell Jr., president of the State Street Foundation. aWe are proud to contribute to the renovation of the center and to helping more women get access to the resources they need.a

The State Street Foundation

The State Street Foundation offers grant support to initiatives that bring long-term solutions to important community issues such as workforce development and education among others. Founded in 1977, the Foundation has since invested more than $180 million in grants to charitable organizations in communities where State Street has a business presence. The State Street Foundation is funded by State Street Corporation, which provides a portion of its pre-tax profits every year to the Foundation.

The Womena™s Lunch Place

Womena™s Lunch Place has been serving poor and homeless women in Boston for more than 25 years. It is one of the few places where women in need can find safety, comfort, and sustenance during the day. Located in Bostona™s Back Baya"and with volunteers from Greater Boston and beyonda"Womena™s Lunch Place is a caring community that provides nutritious breakfast and lunch, along with education, social programs, and advocacy. For more information, visit [ www.womenslunchplace.org ].