Helping those with addictions
A group of prominent Boston College alumni has established a foundation to raise money, awareness, and support for alcohol and substance abuse treatment in honor of a local resident who, in recovery herself, was a powerful example and dedicated mentor to those in recovery.
Since 2023, The Maura Wilkins Foundation has provided funding and programs to assist individuals with alcohol and substance abuse addiction, with the goal of strengthening their recovery efforts and preventing relapses.
“I believe that everyone has a family member or friend who grapples with addiction,” said Executive Director Maribeth McKenzie MacDonald, who earned a master’s degree from the Lynch School of Education and Human Development in 1994. “This personal connection fuels our mission to help people achieve sobriety.”
Maribeth McKenzie MacDonald, M.A. '94 is executive director of the Maura Wilkins Foundation.
MacDonald said that, according to the National Institute of Drug Addiction, 12-step programs are among the most effective methods for promoting long-term abstinence from substance abuse.
“Regrettably, however, these retreats are often expensive, and many individuals residing in halfway homes and sober houses lack the financial resources to participate,” she said. “The Maura Wilkins Foundation organizes and facilitates events to ensure inclusivity, irrespective of participants’ financial circumstances.”
Headquartered in Braintree, Mass., the foundation was established by MacDonald and her husband Tom—a prolific author who earned an M.B.A. from BC’s Carroll School of Management in 2002 and has taught creative writing in the Woods College of Advancing Studies.
The couple was joined in their effort by a group of friends, also with strong ties to the University, who recognized the challenge of the recovery journey and the need for affordable retreats, workshops, and social events to support individuals in recovery from alcohol and substance abuse.
Foundation co-founders who serve on its board of directors include NHL Players’ Association Executive Director Marty Walsh ’09, Jane Pikor ’79, and Boston Public Schools Facilities Management Assistant Director P.J. Preskenis, an adjunct professor of marketing at the Carroll School. Ken Casey, lead singer of popular Boston-based Celtic-punk band Dropkick Murphys, also was a founding board member who remains involved in the effort.
“Boston College’s motto, ‘Ever to Excel,’ and Pedro Arrupe’s call for Jesuit-school graduates to be ‘men and women for others’ strongly resonate with the mission of the Maura Wilkins Foundation,” said Walsh, a Woods College graduate who served as mayor of Boston and Secretary of Labor during the Biden administration. “We take pride in aligning with these principles and addressing the needs of individuals in recovery through innovative approaches.”
The foundation is committed to creating retreats and sober events that uplift individuals on their journey of recovery from alcohol and substance abuse. Each gathering is thoughtfully crafted to inspire hope, resilience, and foster a sense of community—essential ingredients for anyone navigating the transformative path of recovery. Everyone is welcome, and no one is denied access due to financial difficulties.
The foundation also partners with the Gavin Foundation, which supports individuals struggling with substance abuse and addiction—to connect those in recovery with role models who have long-term sobriety—as well as with halfway houses. Residents are welcomed at the foundation’s events to meet others in recovery. This fosters connections and friendships, and ensures that individuals have support systems.
The foundation was established “with love and gratitude” in memory of its namesake: Maura Wilkins, who was born in Tobercurry, County Sligo, Ireland, and lived in Milton for 40 years. According to the foundation website, “Maura was a shining light to all who had the privilege of knowing her. She extended her hand to help others in recovery with a smile, a hug, and her great Irish wit. As she told us, ‘Don’t leave before the miracle happens.’ We consider ourselves blessed that she was our friend.”
More on The Maura Wilkins Foundation, its mission, programs, leadership, and donation information at maurawilkinsfoundation.org