June 3, 2004
Yawkey Foundation Awards $5 Million to Support Catholic Charities New Community Center in Dorchester

Project to provide wide-array of social services to more than 30,000 in Dorchester and surrounding communities

BOSTON, MA - Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of Boston today announced that the Yawkey Foundation has contributed a $5 million donation to help fund the building of a new community service center that will house the existing Haitian Multi-Service Center and the Greater Boston Community Service Center, both of which are longstanding children and family service centers located in Dorchester. The award was presented last night at the 2004 Catholic Charities Spring Celebration at the Seaport Hotel in Boston. The new name of the building will be the Yawkey Center.

"This generous and important gift from the Yawkey Foundation will serve as the cornerstone to make the construction of this centralized, multi-service community center a reality," said Rev. J. Bryan Hehir, president and treasurer of Catholic Charities. "The expanding needs of young families, children, immigrants and others in our neighborhoods grows every day. Through this award, the Yawkey Foundation is showing its commitment to both the people we serve and the mission of Catholic Charities."

Housing its Haitian Multi-Service Center and the Greater Boston Community Service Center, the new Yawkey Center will offer easier access to a wide variety of services at one location. The new facility is expected to serve the needs of upwards of 30,000 people every year, with offerings to include expanded licensed and accredited child care, new after-school programs for children and teens, as well as other needed services. The facility is slated to open in the fall of 2005.

"The Yawkey Foundation Board has been following the progress of this planned project for more than two years," said John Harrington, executive director of the Yawkey Foundation. "We are delighted to award this grant to Catholic Charities for this center. The programs will bring tremendous benefits to children and families in Dorchester and its surrounding communities."

About the Yawkey Foundation
Yawkey Foundation I was established in 1976 by Thomas A. Yawkey, and Yawkey Foundation II was established in the early 1980s by Jean R. Yawkey to further serve the family's charitable goals. Since the deaths of the Yawkeys, the Foundations' Boards of Trustees have continued the Yawkeys' legacy, contributing to organizations large and small that share the Foundations' charitable objectives.

About Catholic Charities
For more than 100 years, Catholic Charities has continued its mission to build a just and compassionate society rooted in the dignity of all people. Catholic Charities maintains more than 40 locations with services including adoption, behavioral health, child care and after-school programs, adult day health, counseling and refugee and immigration services. In 2003, Catholic Charities served more than 213,000 children, teens, families and seniors in need. For additional information about Catholic Charities, visit our website at www.ccab.org.