November 12, 2023

A crowd of nearly 150 supporters, volunteers, staff, alumni, and elected officials came together on our beautiful Winter Island coastline on Sunday to celebrate breaking ground on a new residential facility. 

 “Today is indeed momentous as we embark on the first construction project here in more than a century,” said Executive Director Nicole McLaughlin on Sunday. She said that, while it is tempting to only look forward, it is important to recognize that the seeds of this project were planted long ago by key figures in Plummer’s history, including founder Caroline Plummer.  

Funded by a bequest from Plummer in 1855, the current residential facility on Winter Island was built in 1867 and has continuously housed young people ever since – a tremendous legacy of which Plummer would certainly be proud. But the building has been showing its age for many years, with a temperamental heating system, tiny double occupancy bedrooms, and outdated locker room-style bathrooms that offer little privacy for residents. This project is long overdue.  

Former resident Jonathan Flores explained during his powerful remarks that a teenager’s private space is so central to their identity – it was impossible for him to feel “normal” when sharing a bedroom with a stranger. “I got to see the floorplan and the fact that all these kids are going to have their own rooms is absolutely tremendous,” he said.  

Plummer was honored to welcome Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, an advocate for Plummer since early in her long tenure as Mayor of Salem. She emphasized the importance of this project to the organization’s ability to carry out its mission. 

“(Plummer’s) mission and impact cannot be understated – no one does this work better than Plummer. This new campus will only further their goal and mission to create dignified, trauma-informed spaces for youth and families,” said Lt. Gov. Driscoll.  

Driscoll was joined by Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo, Senator Joan Lovely, and Representative Manny Cruz in offering remarks to celebrate the occasion. All four elected officials were instrumental in securing key city and state funding for the project, including a $1M earmark orchestrated by Senator Lovely.  

As Mayor Pangallo pointed out, “this facility will set a standard of excellence that aligns with the groundbreaking, positive work that Plummer does every day.”  

The power of that work was illustrated throughout Flores’s remarks, as he documented his journey from being an “at-risk youth” who had “nobody,” to a successful college student with a strong support system of caring adults.  

“I wouldn’t be where I am without Plummer and the sense of care that they’ve given me. It’s just absolutely amazing, the fact that they have the ability and the finances to really put in the work for permanency – having permanent adults in these kids’ lives,” said Flores.