In 2011, the Community Service and Social Action (CSSA) Board awarded its second Change Grant to Mary’s Place.  Mary’s Place Day Center is a weekday program in Seattle that provides a welcoming and accepting environment where homeless women and their children can build community, enrich their days and find resources to restore their lives.  Mary’s Place is the first stop on the journey out of homelessness for women and children.  At the day center, homeless women and their children receive a variety of services, ranging from basic needs like hot meals and showers to housing assistance and support groups for domestic violence or substance abuse. 

There are a group of women from Plymouth Church (Mary’s Ministry Team) who have been volunteering at Mary’s Place for several years.  During the grant process, the CSSA Board was profoundly moved by the work of Mary’s Place, and felt called to deepen and expand our partnership with them to improve the lives of homeless women and children.  Plymouth Church is excited about the relationships that will grow over the next three years. According to Christine Weed who is on staff at Mary’s Place, “The Change Grant from Plymouth gives hope, voice and opportunity to homeless women and their children.  The multi-year funding will help foster organizational stability, so that we can build capacity to successfully serve homeless women for many years to come.”