mary's place blog
a fresh start for samantha’s family
Samantha connected with the Mary’s Place mobile outreach team, who worked alongside her as she took steps toward stability. For families staying in cars and other places outside, outreach offers a connection to people who can help them navigate resources and move toward housing, even when shelter isn’t available.
Beyond the transaction: what community partnership makes possible for families
Every family Mary's Place serves is supported by a community of partners. Thank you to the donors, volunteers, businesses, foundations, and public agencies who help make sure no child sleeps outside. Today, more partners are leading the way to a new kind of partnership: bringing their expertise, assets, and networks alongside their generosity.
when home is within reach: our mobile outreach helps Jerome’s family bridge the gap
For months, Jerome worked full time while he and his two children, Juston and Jemma, lived in their car in Kent. When Jerome finally found housing, one last barrier stood in the way: move-in costs. Mary’s Place Outreach team stepped in with flexible financial assistance to help close the gap.
behind every number is a child: what the 2026 point-in-time count tells us about family homelessness
"At Mary's Place, the emergency family intake line rings 40 to 50 times every day from parents desperately searching for a safe place for their children to sleep. That is the true measure of need," said Mary's Place CEO Dominique Alex. Behind every number in this year's Point-in-Time Count is a child, and the trauma of losing a home follows them into their classrooms, their relationships, and their futures.
a father's promise: how drondexic found a home for his family
This Father's Day, Drondexic Darrington and his daughter, Shaniah, are celebrating something many families take for granted: spending the day together in a home of their own. Over the Father’s Day weekend, Drondexic sat down with Stephanie Stokes of The Seattle Times to share about his journey.
from surviving to stabilizing: justine is on her way home!
After escaping domestic violence and losing their home, Justine and her children, Luna and Alex, were living in their car. When she connected with the Mary’s Place outreach team at the Allen Family Center, Justine received essential supplies and support, while her children found space to play and just be kids—leaving her with renewed hope and a community by her side.
when families don't count, children pay the price
We’re grateful to Stephannie Stokes and The Seattle Times for helping shine a much-needed light on family homelessness in King County in a recent story.
amirah’s lived experience and a legacy of care
Once a week, you’ll find Amirah Casey at Mary’s Place, serving meals and swapping stories with families staying at The Glen shelter in Seattle. For Amirah, sharing a meal and serving others is about so much more than food—it’s about care, dignity, and community.
a fresh start and supportive community for Tara’s family
Tara, a dedicated single mom, was working hard to provide for herself and her family, but after the birth of her youngest, her minimum-wage job could no longer keep up with the cost of caring for two kids. With support from our Outreach team, she and her kids are rebuilding stability with help from a supportive housing community.
Ryan and Andrew rebuild after the unthinkable
Following a breakup with his long-term partner, Ryan suddenly found himself supporting himself and his son, Andrew on a single income. Ryan worked tirelessly to stretch his budget and keep life as stable as possible for his son, but the fire turned an already difficult situation into a crisis…