Pine Street Inn announced the renaming of its Women’s Inn shelter to Yawkey House at a ceremony on January 24 th , 2024, coinciding with Jean Yawkey’s 115 th birthday. The dedication is in recognition of the Foundation’s 35 years of support and a $15 million gift made in 2021 which will enable Pine Street Inn to increase its permanent housing capacity by 40% and make key renovations to its shelter facilities.
Throughout their lifetimes, Jean and Tom Yawkey were committed to quietly helping individuals gain access to basic human needs, including shelter, food, access to medical care, and permanent housing. As a champion for women, Jean began personally funding Pine Street Inn in 1988 and recognized the organization as a cornerstone in Greater Boston’s support network for the city’s most vulnerable individuals. Today, Pine Street Inn is the largest homeless services provider in New England, offering comprehensive services to more than 2,000 individuals each day.