Marcia Martinson was on a mission of mercy. The past president of Womanade at the Pinehills, a nonprofit group comprised of women who live in the upscale development, was dropping off a check at a residential shelter to help a family in need.
“I made a payment for a woman whose family was going to get kicked out right around Christmas time,” Martinson recalled. “There were two people talking at the counter. When I said, ‘I’m here from Womanade,’ one the of them yelled, ‘Oh, my God! Thank you so much. You’ve saved us!’ Then she was on me with hugs.”
It was a moment Martinson will always remember – mainly because there are few experiences like that. Womanade works through the Plymouth schools to assist families of students who need emergency financial help. Its members never meet the people they aid. They don’t even know their names. The anonymity of these families is protected by school administrators to minimize any stigma they might face.
“Womanade provides immediate, short-term financial assistance to families in need with children in Plymouth public schools,” said Carolyn McCoy, the organization’s president. “We don’t know who they are, and the schools won’t divulge their names.”
Since 2007, the registered 501 (c)3 charitable organization has been helping those on the brink of financial disaster by giving them money to pay for some of the essentials of daily life. Over nearly two decades, Womanade has donated more than $300,000 to aid nearly 500 families, including nearly $50,000 to 37 families during the recently ended academic year.
As members have discovered, the need is alarming and highlights the growing economic disparity in fast-growing Plymouth. Some students and their families hover on the edge of misfortune – with economic ruin only a missed paycheck or unexpected expense away. Those emergencies can be related to food, rent, mortgage payments, repair bills, medical expenses, appliance and automative breakdowns, and more.
“What sets Womanade apart is not only the breadth of their support, but the quiet and consistent way they operate, serving as a powerful force for good without seeking recognition,” said Christopher Campbell, superintendent of schools. “Over the years, their legacy of care and compassion has touched the lives of hundreds of our students and their families. We do not take that for granted.”
A recent case illustrates the depth of Womanade’s commitment. A student’s father was detained by ICE, which planned to deport him. The nonprofit provided emergency relief since the mother was then the only wage earner. Now, the student and siblings are being deported along with the father while the mother remains here to raise money for legal expenses.
“The stories are really sad,” said Alison Davies, Outreach lead for the organization. “These people are working their socks off. They can’t get anywhere. They are behind with bills and then they’ve had a medical emergency or something else. They come to us for help.”
Another family was in dire straits after a fire ravaged the apartment above theirs. Smoke and water damage ruined nearly everything they owned. Womanade provided funds to help the family replace some of the lost items. Teachers volunteered time to help the family put their lives back together
“Many of these families don’t know help is out there,” Davies added. “A lot of them are living paycheck to paycheck. We’re a steppingstone to help them in a crisis.”
Working through school liaisons, Womanade volunteers learn about individual cases – always anonymously – and then determine if they meet the group’s guidelines. The most important requirement is that the family has a student enrolled in Plymouth schools. If the request is approved, then a payment with a per-family cap is made to the utility or businesses issuing the bill. In some cases, gift cards for groceries or other necessities are provided to help get them through a crisis.
“We look at each family as individuals,” McCoy said. “Not every case is the same. We have to look at their needs and determine how can we help them in the short term, not long term. This is to help them get back on their feet.”
Womanade came to be when a few Pinehills women decided to do something to help the community. They adapted a charitable foundation format used by another nonprofit in Hingham – Womanade of the South Shore (the two are unaffiliated). Today, the Plymouth group has more than 400 members – all woman living in the master-planned community of townhouses, condominiums, apartments, and million-dollar-plus homes.
“Anyone can join our mailing list and attend meetings, at which we request a $20 donation from each attendee,” Martinson said. “However, only women who live at Pinehills can be members.”
Regular meetings are held at The Pinehills with noted speakers – including Plymouth Independent editor Mark Pothier – addressing important issues relating to the town and its residents. About 100 people usually attend these events.
Since the beginning, Womanade has worked to assist students and families in Plymouth schools. Administrators and counselors are grateful.
“Womanade at the Pinehills has been an extraordinary partner to our district,” Campbell said. “Their commitment to providing emergency support to families – particularly in times of crisis – has had a profound impact. Their support spans critical needs such as housing, utilities, and basic necessities – needs that, when met, allow students to stay focused and engaged in school.”
That commitment has not gone unnoticed. In 2020, the group was named a Local Hero by the South Shore Community Action Council, an area nonprofit dedicated to eliminating poverty across the region.
While the honor is comforting, it’s knowing that Womanade is making a difference in Plymouth that means the most to these volunteers. Many members, who moved to Pinehills from other cities, towns, and states, want to show they are supporting their new community.
“I’m retired and want to give back,” said Susan Grassie, program lead. “I felt that Womanade was making a large impact, and it was a way for me to get involved in Plymouth.”
“It’s the most meaningful volunteer work that I have ever done in my entire life,” McCoy added.
For Womanade’s members, protecting the identities of those being helped is crucial. Still, it’s emotionally meaningful when a chance encounter in the community shows how much that assistance has meant. Notes from school counselors – like this one – often give hints of what a family was going through and just how desperate it was for Womanade’s support:
“Just reaching out to share how incredibly appreciative the… family was for the gift cards. They were overcome with gratitude and appreciation for the support your organization gave to them. Thank you so much for giving this family much needed aid in this incredibly difficult time…”
Families in need of assistance from Womanade should contact a teacher, nurse, or guidance counselor about their situation
For more information about Womanade, go here. To donate to the organization, go here.
Dave Kindy, a self-described history geek, is a longtime Plymouth resident who writes for the Washington Post, Boston Globe, National Geographic, Smithsonian and other publications. He can be reached at davidkindy1832@gmail.com.