On May 13, hundreds of community members came together for Mary’s Place annual dream BIG luncheon to support families with children experiencing homelessness and housing instability. The afternoon was all about hope, resilience, and what’s possible when a community comes together around families facing crisis. 

Why is homelessness so much more prevalent in some areas, including Seattle and King County, than others?

Mary’s Place CEO, Dominique Alex, sat down for a conversation with Gregg Colburn, Assistant Professor of Real Estate at the University of Washington and co-author of the book Homelessness Is a Housing Problem, to unpack how and why the homelessness crisis has become so overwhelming in King County.

Aram has volunteered more than 275 hours serving meals, in addition to helping with holiday events and jumping into Kids Club when needed. For him, it’s not just about showing up; it’s about connecting.

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. 

For Ruby, supporting families at Mary’s Place has been part of her life for as long as she can remember. With a mom who works at Mary’s Place, Ruby grew up volunteering at events and seeing firsthand the impact the organization has on families experiencing homelessness. So when she learned about the Youth Action Program (YAP), she knew it was something she wanted to be part of.

The earliest years of a child’s life lay the foundation for everything that follows—but for hundreds of thousands of young children experiencing homelessness, that foundation is shaped by instability, stress, and limited access to critical supports. A recent article in Beyond Housing Magazine delves into what happens when young children experiencing homelessness don’t have access to early childhood education and what Mary’s Place is doing to serve children during critical developmental years.

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.

For Darius and his daughter Aliyah, the barriers to housing stability weren’t just logistical—they felt insurmountable. But everything changed when they walked through the doors of the Allen Family Center.

Our Building Love campaign, and new campus in Burien, are about building stability, opportunity, and a future where families don’t just survive homelessness — they move beyond it, together!

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.