kelly’s journey to safety and hope at mary’s place

When Kelly arrived at Mary’s Place with her two young sons, Cole and Jayce, they had nothing but the clothes on their backs. Like many families fleeing domestic violence, Kelly had to leave everything behind—family photos, important documents, and her children’s favorite stuffed animals.

After a few nights in a hotel, Kelly’s money was gone. With no place left to go, she began to prepare for the unthinkable—sleeping in her car with her boys. That’s when a kind stranger told her about Mary’s Place, where she could find emergency shelter and housing resources for families experiencing homelessness.

From the moment Kelly and her children walked through our doors, they were welcomed with warm meals, cozy beds, and something even more powerful — hope.

Within days, our team helped Kelly take the first steps toward healing and housing stability. Together, they created a plan to remove her name from the unsafe lease she had fled, connected her with employment workshops, and provided counseling resources to help her and her children heal from trauma.

Meanwhile, Cole and Jayce found safety, comfort, and fun in Kids Club, where they could play, learn, and just be kids again!

Today, Kelly has a new job as a receptionist for a dental office and is on her way to safe, stable housing — a fresh start for her family after months of fear and uncertainty.

Stories like Kelly’s are a powerful reminder that no parent should have to choose between safety and shelter. Because of the generosity of our community, families like hers find warmth, stability, and hope at Mary’s Place every single day.

Your support makes all the difference. When you give to Mary’s Place, you help families facing homelessness find safety, resources, and the chance to rebuild.