Dorchester Home Purchased with $1.1 million Gift from Liberty Mutual Foundation
Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh today joined with Liberty Mutual Insurance and Bridge Over Troubled Waters to celebrate the official opening of ‘Liberty House’, a 10- bedroom co-op style apartment in Dorchester for young people experiencing homelessness. The property was purchased this year with a $1.1 million gift from the Liberty Mutual Foundation and is managed and operated by Bridge Over Troubled Waters.
“Liberty House is more than just a place to live, it's a home for many and contributes to our larger efforts to end homelessness," said Mayor Walsh. "There is a role for all of us to play in ending youth homelessness in Boston, and it's because of partners like Liberty Mutual Insurance and Bridge Over Troubled Waters that we are able to make such important strides."
Liberty Mutual focuses its philanthropic giving in multiple areas particularly those that effect the region’s most vulnerable youth who are experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
“Today is a very special day. In fact, it is a day many of us at Liberty have been imagining for a long time,” said David H. Long, Liberty Mutual Insurance Chairman and CEO. “Liberty House will give these young people the freedom to finish school, the freedom to build their credit, and the freedom to follow their dreams.”
Liberty House, located in Boston’s Dorchester’s neighborhood, will be home to up to 10 young people at a time. On average, most will live at Liberty House for about 18 months. Young people will arrive at Liberty House from one of Bridge Over Troubled Waters other housing programs, such as its Transitional Living Program (TLP), Bridge’s long-term transitional residential program for young men and women, ages 18-24, in Boston’s Brighton neighborhood.
Residents of the TLP are required to maintain employment, continue their education, meet weekly with a Bridge counselor, and work with case managers on reaching their goals, before moving into Liberty House.
“We are excited to further our life changing work because of longstanding partners like Liberty Mutual Insurance,” said Bridge Over Troubled Waters Executive Director Elisabeth Jackson. “Liberty House will provide independent housing co-op apartments for youth experiencing homelessness, significantly expanding Bridge’s capacity to help youth transition out of our Transitional Living Program as they take the next steps towards becoming fully independent young adults.”
Since 2003 the Liberty Mutual Foundation has awarded more than $194 million in grants including direct grants to more than 1,200 nonprofits and thousands of additional organizations through the company’s Give with Liberty matching grants.
“Bridge Over Troubled Waters is a model program for addressing youth homelessness,” said Liberty Mutual Foundation President Melissa MacDonnell. “Not only does Bridge provide a safe living environment but they provide a full array of wraparound services – helping young people apply to schools, learn life skills, pursue fulfilling careers and more. Boston youth who experience homelessness are resourceful, resilient, and eager to build productive lives. Bridge helps them do just that.
Our non-profit partners, many who are in this room, work “at the ground level” every day to raise awareness and “give a face” to the issue of homelessness.
About Liberty Mutual Foundation
Established in 2003, the Liberty Mutual Foundation supports the communities in which we live and work. Our grants support nonprofits that are changing the lives of some of our most vulnerable neighbors. To that end, our grant-making priorities focus on organizations and programs in Boston that provide accessibility for individuals of all abilities; security for men, women and children who are homeless; and educational opportunities for children who are living in poverty. Our goal is to invest in leadership that is responsible. To that end, we give preference to nonprofit organizations with these attributes: solid financials; clearly articulated systems for measuring impact; a strong board and staff; and thoughtful strategic plans and budgets. www.libertymutualfoundation.org
About Bridge Over Troubled Waters
Bridge Over Troubled Waters is the only agency in the Greater Boston area to provide a full continuum of age-appropriate services to homeless, runaway and at-risk youth, ages 14-24. Providing programs and services to over 2,000 youth each year, the organization offers a comprehensive range of survival, health, educational, career, and housing services in order to encourage the formation of a healthy and productive adulthood. For more information, visit www.BridgeOTW.org
