Excellent all around organization, that assist the homeless crisis straight on. Wonderful staff. My…read morecase manager Mr. MIKE MOBERLY, really goes beyond the call of duty to help those in need. Again what a excellent program in Bellevue Washington.

It feels terrible to give a non-profit organization a "review," let alone a bad one. However, my…read moreone and only experience with Mary's Place was so negative that I'm hoping that this post inspires some changes. I arrived at Mary's Place five days after losing my housing, at the referral and suggestion of a social worker. I hadn't really eaten since being on the street. It was pouring rain and absolutely freezing outside. I was drenched from exposure and very much looking forward to breakfast, a hot shower, some community. When I arrived I was directed to the basement, which is where the day center and facilities are. My first impression, upon reaching the lower level, is that Mary's Place is halfway between a dungeon and a casino. It was dank, smelly, and there were no windows. I imagine that one could lose a lot of time down there, if not vigilant. Nonetheless, I was warmly received by a caseworker, who took me through a brief intake and left me a list of services and resources. Then I lined up for breakfast, which was a HORROR SHOW. To say that I'm an "adventurous" eater is an understatement. Prior to becoming homeless, I was a professional woman who traveled extensively. I've eaten more sketchy street food than Anthony Bourdain. So I've had my share of "Delhi Belly." I also ate a hamburger out of the trash once. (In my defense, I was in college and I was drunk.) Moreover, I'm generally grateful for free stuff and not a complainer. But Mary's Place is serving food below Third World standards. I was appalled when staff pulled OLD, MOLDY PANCAKES out of a cold storage bin, loosely covered in mangled foil. Then they stuck those nasty flapjacks in a toaster to "warm them up." Given that the pancakes had been sitting in the fridge in their own condensation -- you just know that Mary's Place didn't follow basic safe food handling guidelines, which requires pancakes to cool to room temperature before storing them in an airtight container -- it's extremely hazardous to be serving them. Not to mention that it's just morally s***y to serve rotten, substandard food to vulnerable people. But stupid me, I cut away the mold and proceeded to scarf those pancakes down. I was hungry and cold and I have a stomach made of iron. I decided to take my chances. After breakfast I signed up for a shower. I was the only one in line and I soon found out why: there's absolutely no hot water. I don't mean that the water was tepid, inconsistent, or took time to warm up. I mean that I turned on the faucet and let it run for almost 30 minutes and it was still ICE COLD. I'd just spent the night getting whipped in the face by an arctic cold wind and rain, huddled in a doorway. The last thing I want to replicate is that same feeling in the shower, right after I wake up. I'd rather take my chances at one of the urban rest stops, even if it means dealing with testosterone and aggression. At least the guys have warm water! Realizing that Mary's Place had nothing to offer me, I promptly left the day center. However, the staff and social workers were trying to get me to stay and join one of their groups -- memoir writing, nail painting, crochet -- that does absolutely nothing to empower their clients economically. I was on my way to a job interview and all I needed was some decent, non-moldy food in my stomach and a shower to make myself presentable. Shortly after I left, I realized that the "breakfast" had given me food poisoning. I spent the rest of the morning puking and pooping in a Starbucks bathroom, regretting every bite of those damned pancakes. TLDR: - DO NOT DONATE OR GIVE TO AN INEFFECTIVE NPO - IT'S HORRIBLE TO SERVE ROTTEN FOOD TO THE VULNERABLE - THERE ARE BETTER ORGANIZATIONS OUT THERE Organizations I'd support instead of Mary's Place: - Uplift Northwest - Recovery Cafe - Northwest Share - Urban Rest Stop Downtown - University Heights Center - Seattle Mutual Aid Coalition Response to Mary's Place Staff: I'm glad the showers work and it was a temporary snafu. However, the pancakes DID have spots of green mold on them. I think a more appropriate response, rather than minimizing a potentially dangerous food poisoning situation, might be, "Mary's Place will look into this and ensure that our staff and volunteers have a WA Food Handler's Permit if serving clients. We will also revisit safe food handling and storage procedures as a team."

Man - how you gonna give a homeless shelter a bad review?…read more Lemme tell you how - I drove for an hour to drop food off to Mary's Place on a day we were instructed to come down on. Upon arrival they turned me away without taking the goods because of a leak in their storage room. Now lemme tell you something Mary's Place - the homeless don't care to go hungry when you have a leak. I could see inside your building plenty of space to hold goods. Your lack of ingenuity drove me with my goods away to donate elsewhere and while I hate to do something as petty as yelping a homeless shelter (what sort of world is this?) - I have to give you this feedback. Do better, please. Our homeless needs resourcefulness.

This is an amazing place where you would want to take your girlfriend to end the night and possibly…read moreget lucky. All the drunks and STUMBLE BUMS wanting to join in the fun. Nice army cots to pass out on. BED BUGS included. YIKES !

I would so negative stars but it won't allow me. This place will say one thing and do another. They…read morenever helped me and there was zero compassion. They say they are a Godly place but they fired the church that was coming in and devotion is done my the staff which are hypocritical. Did they give me a place to sleep, shower yes, but it came at a very high price. It's all about the money, you say you're moving out and they will find a way to kick you before that happens making it harder for you. They want to work but around their schedule not yours. Currently at the Indian center and it's a night and day difference. They actually help people not just say it like UGM. Just be forewarned, UGM is NOT a Christian based program, I can promise that.

If you are looking for an excellent organization to support with your work or your money, keep…read morelooking. These people may or may not return your telephone call, may or may not respond to your inquiries in a way that makes any sense... Well, you get the picture. Avoid this timewaster.

Staff is hit or miss - sometimes very mean and very cold. A couple of them are nice. Thye have very…read morestrict rules but they tend to let long termers get away with things. There are some long term residents who have a bully and hostile attitude and can make you feel very uncomfortable. Must make bed - not just make bed but in a certain way.

Come to this place if you want to experience how the hell would be. I have two little kids and the…read morestaff had to remind me to keep them by my sides WHENEVER they saw my kids play even I was right there several feet away. It seemed that from the manager to her staff, they don't want to see the kids laugh and play with each other happily. It is a small place and security seems to be very good because no stranger can come to that 3rd floor, only staff can escort clients with their cards. However, they make it a PRISON. They expect mothers to cook and feed children and clean and do all the neccessary chores but also ask these mothers to follow all their kids ALL THE TIME. They do provide private rooms for us to live in but they open it every morning to check, which makes the privacy nonsense. They asked us to live neat and clean which is good, however they warned to kick us out of the place by letters every time they saw my room is messy, not as what they said that they give time to clean before warning. (3 letter warnings make us be kicked out) A single working mom with little kids must be perfect to live in this place because she has no right to be alone in any moment, no right to take care of themselves without kids crying by your ears and cannot let the house messy. The staff said that they would help look after the kids for single moms when they need, but in fact they NEVER help. The staff, who always tried to be very strict on us, spent 99% of their working time using computer even in the dark (which is very harmful for her eyes). Sad. You'll have only 45 days to stay in that place if you speak up. If you're lucky (because you have big kids!?), they keep you until you get housing. Good luck.

This is where you go if your shelter gets swept by the SPD, and you need to be referred by an…read moreoutreach organization. It has a harm reduction philosophy, and is a pretty forward thinking institution, there's aren't many places like it in there USA. You can leave anytime, they have lockers for your stuff, and they serve food, three meals a day. And everyone here gets a case manager who works to get you housing. You can bring your dog or pets too. There are small things that don't set perfectly well with me, but all in all it is much better than I imagined a homeless shelter would be. Wish it was a collective or co op, but I'm not complaining

From the owner: **By appointment only/not open to the public**…read more Referrals to the Navigation Center will be through the REACH Outreach Team of Evergreen Treatment Services.