Saint Mary’s Center for
Women and Children (SMC)
500 women and children served annually
60% are under the age of 6 and 89% of residents are people of color
100% of families moving through St. Mary's Center's entire housing continuum remaining stably housed as a full family unit
St. Mary’s Center for Women and Children (SMC) was founded in 1874, when an abandoned baby was left on the doorstep of a Boston church. This event led to the establishment of St. Mary's Infant Asylum, which remains at its current Dorchester location. By 1902, the center was already providing shelter and care to over 1,000 infants and 300 single mothers, many of whom had been abandoned or cast out by their families.
Today, SMC has grown and adapted to meet the evolving needs of the community, serving approximately 500 women, children, and families each year. It is now one of the largest family shelter programs in Massachusetts. The center has recently sharpened its focus on residential, educational, and employment services, all paired with case management to help women and families achieve long-term stability.
The families arriving at SMC often lack access to essential services like healthcare, education, and community support, which significantly impacts their physical and mental well-being, as well as their social and economic mobility. Many of these families come from Boston's most economically disadvantaged neighborhoods, and a significant portion of young mothers are immigrants or refugees who have fled violence in their home countries.
Since Partnering with The Lynch Foundation
The Lynch Foundation has been a proud supporter of St. Mary’s Center for Women and Children since 2007. In 2021, the Foundation made a two-year grant to fund the planning and renovation of the Carolyn Lynch Early Education Center.
This center provides high-quality early education to 150 families enrolled in SMC’s programs, as well as to families in the surrounding community, serving children from infancy to age 5.
In 2023, the Lynch Foundation committed to a multi-year grant to support SMC’s capital campaign to redesign its Dorchester campus.
This renovation will create 71 new Permanent Supportive Housing units for families and renovate 51 existing shelter units, benefiting 166 residents.
The upgraded campus will significantly expand SMC’s capacity to serve individuals in a space designed to reflect its comprehensive, trauma-informed approach. The renovation will include pod-style "neighborhood" living spaces to reduce anxiety and better accommodate the needs of families in shelter, as well as a state-of-the-art Supportive Services Center.
Additionally, accessible and inviting outdoor spaces will be created to foster a sense of community and well-being.
