News

Dear supporters,

I am writing to share some important news. After careful consideration, YW Boston’s Board has made the decision to explore options to sell 140 Clarendon Street to bolster the long-term financial sustainability of our organization. I know you care deeply about YW Boston, and wanted you to hear this news directly from us.
 
To many in Boston our building is something of a Back Bay landmark. The “YWCA” on the top of our building carries countless memories for our staff, friends, and neighbors. We are proud of our rich history in this location, but our work today is not location-bound. Our partnerships and programs extend well beyond this address, and our work impacts organizations and individuals across the city. The time and resources involved in maintaining a mixed-use building distract from our core mission, and we believe YW Boston’s resources must be fully dedicated to this important work. If completed, the sale of this building will support the continuation of our effective programs and strategies long into the future.

Should we sell, we expect tenant leases to be honored, including residential affordability restrictions currently in place, and efforts will be made to support tenants throughout the process. We have just completed tenant notification so they know of our plans.
 
As you know, YW Boston’s mission, and the mission of YWCAs across the country, is to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. Much as downtown Boston has changed since we broke ground on this building in 1927, so too has YW Boston’s strategy to achieve our mission. The vision of today’s YW Boston is to help individuals and organizations create more inclusive environments where women, people of color and especially women of color in Boston can succeed.
 
Following a strategic planning process, YW Boston now has three distinct areas of work:

• DE&I Services such as InclusionBoston (formerly Dialogues on Race & Ethnicity) and LeadBoston, through which we advance diversity, equity and inclusion by partnering with organizations looking for improved business results and organizational impact.
• A new inclusive girls leadership program called the F.Y.R.E. Initiative (Fierce Youth Reigniting Excellence). This program merges elements from our Youth Leadership Initiative (InIt), which focused on leadership development and social justice issues, and our Girls Health curriculum, which focused on self-esteem and healthy relationships.
• Advocacy work and events that provide thought leadership, coalition building and public awareness campaigns.

The work we do is needed now as much as ever, and should a sale go through, it is very important to note that we will continue to depend upon philanthropic support from individuals, corporations and foundations to sustain our work. YW Boston will put the net proceeds from a sale into investments to help ensure that we continue to fulfill our mission to eliminate racism and empower women long into the future.
 
Thank you for your continued support!

Sincerely,

Beth Chandler
President and CEO

Photo Credit: William Funsch Media, LLC.