digital high five - making shelter services just a tap away

With hundreds of families staying in our emergency shelters, a lively drop-in family resource center, and guests who speak dozens of languages, there’s never a slow moment at Mary’s Place. Families are doing laundry, booking appointments with housing specialists, and signing up for everything from pro bono legal services to computer basics classes—it’s a lot to keep track of! 

For the families coming into shelter, settling into a new community can be overwhelming, filled with questions and uncertainty. And when language barriers come into play, getting your needs met can be even harder. 

The self-serve kiosks use universal symbols and customizable language options to make access to shelter services and resources accessible for every guest!

That’s why, thanks to funding from Comcast, we’ve improved the shelter experience for guests and staff with the introduction of user-friendly, self-service digital kiosks at our emergency shelters and the Allen Family Center! These kiosks help guests access resources faster and more easily, making their experience at Mary’s Place a little smoother during a challenging time. 

“Think of the kiosks as helpful digital assistants that make the resources and services in our shelters easier to access and simplify day-today tasks like scheduling appointments or finding answers to common questions,” shares Brian Carlson, Mary’s Place IT Director and designer of the new kiosks, “And the best part? They’re available in multiple languages and use universal symbols, breaking down communication barriers between guests and staff and ensuring everyone has the support they need.” 

“By providing digital assistant kiosks, we’re helping bridge the digital divide – connecting people to vital resources, services, and opportunities that can change lives. We are proud to continue our long-term partnership with Mary’s Place to be part of their vision of having a community where all families have safety, stability, and housing,” said Carla Carrell, Senior Director of External Affairs, Comcast.   

Not only are the kiosks providing streamlined, low barrier access for guests, they’re helping our emergency shelters operate more efficiently. “Real-time data from the kiosks shows us when shelter resources are in high demand. This helps us schedule staff during peak hours and plan preventative maintenance for equipment, ensuring everything runs smoothly, staff don’t experience burnout, our guests have what they need when they need it, and the lifespan of our equipment is maximized,” shares Brian.  

At the Allen Family Center, a drop-in resource center for families, newly installed kiosks are helping to process intakes more efficiently and providing guests easier, more equitable access to resources like showers, playgroups, and pantry essentials. The self-service kiosks also help families find additional resources in the surrounding area and navigate the city. 

The benefits of the kiosks go beyond convenience— they also provide guests an accessible way to share feedback with staff and help them get familiar with digital tools that are common in workplaces, public services, and government agencies. The ability to advocate for themselves using digital tools can help families feel more confident and prepared as they move toward permanent housing. 

We’re grateful to our partners, like Comcast, for making it easier for families to access the support they need—when they need it—so they can focus on building brighter futures.