The year 2006 marks the eighth year of partnership between the J. Jill Group, Inc. and Rosie's Place. Through the years, J. Jill has helped Rosie’s Place expand its services in the Greater Boston area with a $50,000 contribution to its Capital Campaign Fund, as well as a $5,000 Compassion Fund grant. J. Jill has also been instrumental in supporting the economic development initiative of the Women’s Craft Cooperative at Rosie’s Place. This past holiday season, J. Jill sold handmade products from the Women’s Craft Cooperative and donated all proceeds ($68,000) from the sales to Rosie’s Place.
For more than thirty years, Rosie’s Place has provided for the survival of poor and homeless women in their own unique way with the philosophy of fair treatment and unconditional love—while working toward a complete solution to the issues facing their guests. From the day Kip Tiernan, an activist, opened Rosie’s Place in an abandoned grocery store, the organization has worked to offer abused, unemployed or otherwise disenfranchised women the help they need, from food and clothing, to emergency and permanent housing, to educational and employment opportunities. By creating a welcoming and secure environment, guests at Rosie’s Place are able to maintain their dignity and concentrate on making real and lasting changes in their lives. And all of their vital programs are supported without the assistance of public funds (city, state or federal).
To learn more about Rosie’s Place or the Women’s Craft Cooperative, please contact:
Rosie’s Place
889 Harrison Avenue
Boston, MA 02118
phone: 617.442.9322
web site: www.rosiesplace.org
Since 1996, the Women’s Craft Cooperative at Rosie’s Place has made tremendous progress in the areas of job training and economic development.
Women who participate in the craft cooperative are introduced to craft skills and the basics of merchandising. These budding “artisans” receive compensation for their talents and acquire work experience that provides job readiness, job preparation and other employment skills.
In addition, the aim of the Women’s Craft Cooperative is to foster an increase in self-esteem and creativity, as well as to develop greater earning potential.