Awards, Recognition & Impact

For more than 40 years, Project Place has responded to the changing and complex needs of a "street" population and has worked directly with an adult homeless population for more than 25 years. During the past 15 years we have placed a significant emphasis on workforce development initiatives. Through dedication, hard work and rigorous evaluation of our programs, we help our clients obtain and sustain positive changes in their lives. We are proud to share some recognition of our work:

2009: Project Place received Bank of America’s Neighborhood Excellence Initiative award, recognizing community leaders that address critical social issues.

2009: Project Place was granted a three-year Oak Foundation Housing & Homelessness Programme award to assist with “Strategic Capacity Building” of our organization and our three social enterprises.

2009: The Department of Labor awarded Project Place with a Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program grant to offer targeted programs and services to veterans and their families.

2009: In our last fiscal year 81% of our program participants improved their life circumstances, achieving one or more successful outcomes, including permanent employment, education advancement or permanent housing.

2009: Our Betty’s Place housing placement rate of 88% and housing retention rate of 78% exceed the national averages of 61% and 71% respectively.

2009: Project Place was recognized by the American Institute of Architects and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development with the HUD Secretary's "Creating Community Connection" Award which recognized our excellence in residential housing design.

2009: Contract Magazine gave Project Place an honorable mention with their "Inspiration Awards", recognizing social responsibility in design.

2009: Project Place was given the John M. Clancy Award for Socially Responsible Housing.

2009: Project Place's building received an honorary housing award from the AIA New York /Boston Chapter Society of Architects (BSA) Building Type Awards recognizing excellence and innovation in design.

2008: Project Place's new building was recognized with a Gold Award from the Brick Industry Association in the "Other-Commercial" category.

2008: The American Institute of Architects awarded Project Place with the Housing Award for Special Housing, recognizing the excellence in residential design for our affordable housing units.

2007: Executive Director Suzanne Kenney was named South End Person of the Year by The Boston Courant community newspaper, given to individuals who "improved the quality of life for the residents."

2007: Our building was chosen as a finalist in Affordable Housing Magazine's 2007 Readers' Choice Awards for the Nation's Best Affordable Housing Developments.

2007: The Boston Foundation recognized us for our work on "systems change" with female offenders through our collaborative CREW program with the Suffolk County House of Corrections and South End Community Health Center, and for being a catalyst for change in women's programming.

2006: Project Place and Suzanne Kenny were awarded CARLISLE Foundation's annual Creative Entrepreneur Award, honoring leaders and organizations that demonstrate creativity, vision and selflessness and move their organization forward without loosing sight of its original mission. This monetary award was used to launch the MicroLending program and the Danielle Fund.

2005: Through an intensively competitive process, Project Place was selected as one of two organizations to receive financial support from the Boston chapter of Social Venture Partners (SVP). SVP provided Project Place with the seed funding for HomePlate, our food service enterprise.

2004: The Rockefeller Foundation recognized Project Place for its Best Practices in establishing itself as an agency that values retention services.

2001: Project Place's Clean Corners... Bright Hopes program was honored with the Golden Shoe Award from Walk Boston for our dedication to keeping Boston neighborhoods clean.

2001: The South End Business Alliance (SEBA) awarded Project Place the Award of Excellence for Community Support.

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