Liberty Mutual Commits $5 Million To Help End Youth Homelessness
“Ending youth homelessness requires an all-hands-on-deck approach. I’m grateful for Liberty Mutual’s partnership and commitment to this important issue.” – Mayor Martin J. Walsh
A recent national study from the University of Chicago estimates there are 4.2 million young people who experience homelessness each year. The trauma of homelessness, in turn, leads to negative impacts on the educational achievement, employment and the health and wellbeing of youth.
“This day, this work, this effort is for them,” said Melissa MacDonnell, President of the Liberty Mutual Foundation, as she and David Long, Liberty Mutual Insurance Chairman and CEO announced a $5 million philanthropic commitment to organizations in Boston working to reduce and end youth homelessness.
“Our goal is to help give young people a sense of stability and support, because we know they are full of potential, passion and purpose.”
At an event held at the More Than Words bookstore in the South End earlier this month, Liberty Mutual announced grant awards to 19 organizations, including United Way partner agencies such as Bridge Over Troubled Waters, Cambridge Family and Children’s Services, The Home for Little Wanderers, Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless and Silver Lining Mentoring.
“Supporting the efforts of these organizations will ensure more young people are provided the tools and resources they need to successfully build their futures despite the challenges they’ve faced in the past,” said Long in Liberty Mutual’s announcement of their $5 million philanthropic effort. “We’re extremely proud to be a partner in this work.”
Liberty Mutual’s philanthropic commitment follows the recent release of the Mayor Martin J. Walsh and the City of Boston’s action plan, called Rise to the Challenge, to prevent and end youth and young adult homelessness in Boston.
United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley is the lead community partner in the implementation of this plan, and has been tapped by Mayor Martin J. Walsh to convene community partners, drive the alignment of programs addressing the housing, supportive services, education and employment needs of young people, and monitor performance. Liberty Mutual has awarded United Way a grant of $50,000 to support this work.
“Together, we can do more than any of us can alone to solve complex, entrenched issues such as youth homelessness,” said Michael K. Durkin, President and CEO at United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley. “Here in Boston, we are fortunate to have a corporate partner like Liberty Mutual join with the Mayor and our strong network of nonprofit organizations to help ensure young people experiencing homelessness are connected to resources that meet their needs and help them reach their educational and employment goals.”
Featured Photo: Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh, Amina Johnson of More than Words, David Long, Chairman and CEO of Liberty Mutual, Melissa MacDonnell, President at Liberty Mutual Foundation, and Klare Shaw, National Director of Programs at Liberty Mutual Foundation.
