FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 3, 2014

CONTACT: Peter Van Delft
(617) 704-6682

Sheriff Steve Tompkins recently joined thousands of supporters of Rosie’s Place at their annual “Funny Women…Serious Business” Luncheon at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston.

The luncheon was headlined by New York Times best–selling author Cheryl Strayed and featured Rosie’s Place Executive Director Sue Marsh; event emcees and news veterans Susan Wornick and Karen Holmes Ward; and news anchors Lisa Hughes, Latoyia Edwards and Kim Khazei – all assembled to speak on behalf of the organization.

Founded in 1974 as the first women’s shelter in the United States, Rosie’s Place continues to provide a safe and nurturing environment that helps poor and homeless women maintain their dignity, seek opportunity and find security in their lives. Today, Rosie’s Place not only provides meals and shelter, but also creates opportunities for 12,000 women a year through wide–ranging support, housing and education services.

Following the event, Sheriff Tompkins spoke about his support for Rosie’s Place and the need for more such community resources.

“I am a great believer in the work that Rosie’s Place does,” said Sheriff Tompkins. “The emergency food and shelter services along with their employment training and education programs are crucial for not only getting women back on their feet, but giving them the means to be successful moving forward.”

“Many of the circumstances that bring people to Rosie’s Place – domestic violence, homelessness, substance and alcohol addiction – are often the same things that ultimately bring women into our care and custody at the House of Correction,” continued Sheriff Tompkins. “But, if we are truly interested in creating a more just and vibrant society, then we need to invest more in these kinds of organizations so that we can catch people before they ever see the inside of a jail or prison.”

For more information about Rosie’s Place, visit: www.rosiesplace.org.

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