The Lawson’s commitment to supporting the most vulnerable in our community remains the focus of their personal giving.

Cathy visiting CRAFT Playground

Over the last several years, Tom and Cathy Lawson have deepened their commitment to helping children heal, grow, and thrive by supporting key initiatives at Bradley Hospital — Rhode Island’s only psychiatric hospital devoted exclusively to children and adolescents.

Their philanthropy, totaling $415,000 to date, has not only funded crucial renovations and capital improvements that directly support the comfort and care of patients and staff, but also empowered clinical research and family-centered care across several vital programs.

It Began with a Playground — and a Purpose.

In 2022, the Lawsons made their first gift to help complete the renovation of the play area for the Children’s Residential and Family Treatment (CRAFT) Program, which serves children ages 5 to 12 who face significant emotional and behavioral challenges.

These young residents receive intensive care while maintaining daily routines such as school and therapeutic activities. For Cathy, this project held special meaning — during her career as a speech and language pathologist working with medically fragile children, she witnessed firsthand the powerful impact that nurturing, therapeutic environments can have on a child’s development.

The renovated play space provides a safe and welcoming place for joy, creativity, and recovery — and marked the beginning of a meaningful partnership with Bradley Hospital, one you may call a ‘slam dunk’.

Restoring Comfort and Dignity in Residential Care

In 2023, the Lawsons significantly expanded their impact with a major gift to support critical renovations at Bradley’s Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities (CADD). This gift helped revitalize four residential homes across Rhode Island — in Exeter, Rumford, Warwick, and North Providence — addressing years of deferred maintenance.

At Heritage House in Warwick, a major portion of the gift was dedicated to a full kitchen renovation. “As in many family homes, our kitchen is the heart of the house,” says program manager Melanie Morris. “Thanks to the Lawsons, we now have a space where staff and residents can safely gather, learn life skills, and connect at the end of the day. It’s made a world of difference.”