Mary’s Place was established in 1999 as day center for homeless women. Women were walking from service to service, carrying their home on their backs trying to get their physical needs met. They were waiting in line for hours for meals, laundry, medical care, benefits, to use a free phone, or to apply for housing and employment. With a grant from the Boeing Employee’s Community Fund and the passion of a dedicated board and staff, Mary’s Place opened its doors. Together, they developed the structure and daily schedule that remains in effect today: two meals a day, hygiene facilities, showers, laundry, medical care, support groups and ample resources for housing, employment, and benefits.

Mary’s Place is working to address some unique needs. Popsicle Place will provide a safe, nurturing, home-like setting for families with children who have life-threatening diseases; and Baby’s Best Start accommodates moms with newborns who need some extra time to rest and bond with their babies.

The Mary’s Place model is simple – partner with anyone and everyone who can help to address the issue of family homelessness: congregations, individuals, cities and counties, and businesses of all sizes.

Mission

Empowering homeless women, children, and families to reclaim their lives by providing shelter, nourishment, resources, healing and hope in a safe community.

Vision

Mary’s Place is a leading voice for homeless women, children, and families in emergency situations. They empower families to reclaim their lives by offering community, acceptance, hope and dignity. Their work keeps struggling families together and provides practical tools and resources that help them find housing and employment. They inspire the community to support homeless women, children, and families through advocacy, partnerships, volunteerism and philanthropy.

Values

Love — Mary’s Place offers love and a place of community and belonging.

Respect — They respect and honor the dignity of every woman and family in need of their services, in their employ, or giving of their time, regardless of race, ethnicity, class, sexual orientation, education, or life experience.

Accessibility — They offer services that are free, easily accessible, and responsive to women and family’s needs.

Hope — They provide encouragement and believe that the women and families they serve are capable of achieving their goals.

Stewardship — They carefully steward their financial and human resources.

Collaboration — They collaborate with others to ensure quality services, leverage and expand service capacity across the region, and lift the voices of homeless women and families.