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Jubilee collaborates with Mary's Place to better serve homeless women in our community

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 10:00

We are excited to announce a new collaboration with Mary’s Place, a day center for homeless women and children! Our new partnership will provide mentoring to homeless women – as well as access to Jubilee’s Learning and Technology Center and free clothing boutique. Many of the women of Mary’s Place are living on the street and their ability to access these services may be severely compromised, so opening up our doors will directly and positively effect many more women’s lives.

One of the most exciting elements to our collaboration is the new Sister-to-Sister program, where Jubilee residents will be trained to serve as mentors to women at Mary’s Place. Mentoring can provide the support that’s needed when going through the traumatic experience of homelessness. Whether it’s taking a woman out for coffee, accompanying someone to a doctor’s appointment, or just talking and listening, our residents will be able to share their experiences and provide hope to women who are rebuilding their lives.   

“There is no greater friend than someone who understands where you've been, the struggles you face and where you need to go,” said Marty Hartman, executive director of Mary’s Place. “This partnership will help facilitate new friendships between sisters that already share a common bond.”

Jubilee will also reserve the clothing boutique for women in the Mary’s Place program one day per week, and the Mary’s Place van will transport women to our location on Capitol Hill. Mary’s Place’s clothing donations have been limited to sporadic donations from the community, so a weekly trip to Jubilee’s boutique will ensure women access to nice, clean clothing. “It will also give them a sense of enjoyment that comes from a shopping trip with the girls,” said Hartman. Jubilee volunteers will help the women navigate the boutique and pick out clothing in their size and style. For women waiting their turn, Jubilee will provide access to the computers in the Learning and Technology Center. Tully’s will donate pastries and coffee for the women as well.

We believe collaboration is critical between organizations serving homeless people in all stages of the housing continuum—from emergency shelters to permanent housing. We are thrilled to work with Mary’s Place to better serve our community’s homeless women!