“I never thought I would end up homeless. What happened to me was the furthest thing from my mind. I had a successful military career, I’m an Iraq veteran. The staff at Mary’s Place were so caring, I always tell them they gave me my life back.” - Paula

Keisha and her young daughters, Zara and Imani, arrived at Mary’s Place carrying only what fit in their backpacks, they had fled an abusive situation at a moment’s notice…

When the apartment she was renting became unsafe due to black mold, Kawana and her sons were left with no place to go. After two years of living out of her car, apart from her sons, Kawana became stably housed with support from Mary’s Place and is now an advocate for affordable housing.

When medical bills following an MS diagnosis quickly destabilized her family’s finances, Jennifer knew she wasn’t alone; she could turn to Mary’s Place.

"I'll never forget the moment I gathered my children and fled from domestic violence. My heart was racing with fear, my mind consumed by one terrifying question: How would we survive? Where could we find safety?”

Raising a child can be a challenging journey of unknowns. Finding a trusted circle of friends to compare experiences and learn from can be difficult for families in shelter. Fortunately, a partnership with North Seattle College brings knowledge and connection to our new parents through a program called Parenting Circles, which is offered every week on site at Mary’s Place shelters

As Mary’s Place commemorates 25 years of community, service, and love, we’re grateful for the many hands, hearts, and minds that have made it possible for us to bring thousands of unsheltered women and families inside.

Angela was inspired to become a Mary’s Place monthly donor when she learned about our work to prevent homelessness before families with children lose their housing.

Some of the biggest barriers families transitioning to housing face are getting donated furniture items that fit their needs and getting them delivered to their new home.

t didn't take long for kids to jump around on the new padded floors, take the tricycles for a spin, and gather around new games and toys with their friends in the newly refreshed Kids Club at our family shelter in Burien.