WHO WE ARE The pandemic’s devastating impact on people who are poor, homeless or almost homeless continues—as unemployment and debt rise and evictions loom. Women who have lived on the edge for years are now are in danger of falling so deeply into the cracks that they may not survive. COVID-19 has not created a crisis in services for poor and homeless women and men—it has undeniably exposed one that already existed. Until the systemic issues of poverty and homelessness are adequately addressed, Rosie’s Place will continue to be a sanctuary and safety net for those women who, like all of us, want a quality of life that is secure. Poor and Homeless Women One in 10 Massachusetts residents lives in poverty. More than 20,000 people are experiencing homelessness on any given day. And homelessness is growing in Greater Boston at a rate that outpaces the rest of the nation. Why? The root causes of homelessness are systemic and also personal. For some women, it may be unemployment, the loss of savings during a time of illness or an unplanned pregnancy. She may be suffering from mental illness or substance use disorder. With little money and living in one of the most expensive housing markets in the country, our guests find the road back to stability can be long and difficult. Read more Are there any solutions? The steps to take to end homelessness require the political will and the resources to address the causes of homelessness and barriers to permanent housing. Comprehensive programs and services are critical in mitigating the impact of poverty on women and families. Read more Our Unique Approach We acknowledge that coming to Rosie’s Place is for most of our guests an admission of defeat. For her, that first day in our community is probably one of her worst days. She arrives considering herself a collection of problems, of faults—homeless, hungry, jobless, addicted, ill. Right from the start, we work to turn that around, to hold in our hearts the image of a strong and dignified woman who can make decisions that help her get where she wants to go. While we provide resources and information, we also provide the message that every woman is a resilient and resourceful individual, whose past and present need not be her limits. We strive to hold that image regardless of the setbacks our guests face along the way. We know, too, that second chances have to be a part of life—sometimes lots of second chances. Because they live with so little, there’s no room for error in our guests’ lives. Budgets are precarious, as are jobs and apartments. One misstep can lead to a fall from grace that is spectacular not only in its speed but in its magnitude. We understand that the solutions for our guests are found over the long term, and we stand by them for as long as they need us to. Every day we reach out to poor and homeless women who hide in plain sight, trying to understand the right way to encourage and engage them, so we can make a difference in their lives. 889 Harrison Avenue Boston, MA 02118 Directions P: 617.442.9322 F: 617.442.7825 Email Rosie's Place Join Our E-mail List Rosie's Place offers a safe haven for LGBTQIA+ women and overnight shelter and other services to those in need who self-identify as female. © 2021 Rosie's Place — Intranet — Volunteer Login