Photo Gallery & Panel Recording: 2026 “Together for Women: A Lifebridge Conversation”

“By the time a woman comes to Lifebridge, she has already exhausted every other resource. She is not giving up; she is out of options.”

These words, spoken by Lifebridge’s VP of Philanthropy Brittany Molloy-Kenney, rang through the Peabody Essex Museum atrium on May 6th, where 300 guests gathered for “Together for Women: A Lifebridge Conversation”. The annual fundraising event raises awareness about women experiencing homelessness and their unique needs.

Jump to Gallery

Guests were first immersed in a powerful gallery of client-created art, writing, and firsthand stories. Their work presented an intimate look at the realities, resilience, and humanity of people experiencing homelessness.

About the Art Gallery

Art therapy at Lifebridge North Shore offers a warm, welcoming space where creativity becomes a pathway to connection, resilience, and self-discovery. Through weekly groups across programs, clients are invited to explore art materials, share pieces of their stories, and reconnect with their inner voices in ways that feel safe and empowering.

At River House, there is something especially powerful in the gathering of women across generations, sitting side by side around a table, creating. In these moments, art becomes more than an individual process—it becomes a shared language of care and witnessing. Women support one another in finding their voices, honoring lived experience, and making room for what has not yet been spoken.

The art-making process supports emotional healing and helps build a sense of belonging among individuals whose lives have often included disruption and isolation. Just as importantly, the artwork itself begins to shape the environment, bringing color and warmth into shared spaces, and offering a shared sense of inspiration to all who encounter it. Over many years of this work, I continue to be moved by the courage and creativity of participants, who help shape a community where self-expression can unfold and be received.

Sara Roizen, Lifebridge Art Therapist & Exhibit Curator

Licensed Creative Arts Therapist, Registered Art Therapist, Advanced Certified Trauma Practitioner

Founder of The Space Between, Creative Arts Therapy Studio

The program continued over lunch with inspiring speakers and a thought-provoking panel discussion.

Director of Programs Chelsey Buckley shared the mission of Lifebridge’s River House, the only women’s shelter north of Boston, before guests heard from a panel of experts discussing this year’s theme “Aging with Dignity”:

• Helen Johnson, a Lifebridge case manager and leader of the organization’s art therapy program with more than 20 years of social work experience.
• Mary Jane McGlennon, a Lifebridge partner for over two decades who shared insights shaped by her lived experience navigating the challenges of aging and
• Robert Slocum, a physician who has long provided compassionate medical care to individuals facing substance use disorders and housing instability, including years of volunteer service to Lifebridge clients.

Salem City Councilor-at-Large Alice Merkl moderated the panel.

Watch the Panel Recording

Video recorded and produced by BevCam

One of the afternoon’s most moving moments came when a former Lifebridge client took the stage. She shared her journey from homelessness to housing stability. Speaking candidly about surviving street homelessness as a woman over 60, her time at the shelter, and her hopes to one day support others experiencing homelessness, her story left a lasting impact on everyone in attendance.

Kim Carrigan hosted an invigorating fund-a-need paddle raising event, where guests could make a real impact on vulnerable neighbors in their communities. The sold-out event raised more than $230,000 to support aging women experiencing homelessness and critical River House programs, including the art and writing therapy initiatives that inspired the moving gallery experience. After the fund-a-need, Lifebridge Board Member Laura Tyrrell announced that Lifebridge has purchased a new building for River House to better serve older women and people with disabilities.

Gallery

Photography donated in-kind by Eventide Photography. Click on the thumbnails to enlarge.

Guests Arrive

Art & Writing Gallery

Luncheon, Panel, & Speakers

Fund a Need

What Else Can I Do to Help Vulnerable Women on the North Shore?

Advocate – through your local governments, towns, networks and social circles. Your elected leaders, friends and neighbors need to know issues surrounding homelessness are important to you.

Donate – make a monetary gift or a gift of goods and services. Essentials like medical supplies, clothing, hygiene products, furniture, yes. But in line with our conversation last week, consider items that will help a woman feel dignified and special – makeup, accessories, bathrobes and slippers, etc.

Connect – say hello and acknowledge people. Human connection, if only in a passing moment, can have a big impact.

Volunteer/Visit – if you want to explore more ways to connect with Lifebridge on a deeper level through volunteering – we welcome individuals and groups – and have a variety of opportunities at our shelters and stores, in our kitchen, and in our governance and committee work.

The act of cooking is an empowering activity, so our River House residents prefer meals that they can cook themselves. Donating pre-made meals or the ingredients to cook a full meal are appreciated! We ask that you provide enough for 17 guests.

Email volunteer@lifebridgenorthshore.org to get started!