It feels terrible to give a non-profit organization a "review," let alone a bad one. However, my one 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." read more

Man - how you gonna give a homeless shelter a bad review? 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. read more

they're doing the best they cen with limited resources and power. All shelter are. Only bandaids.

Mary's Place was a joke to me and my family both the White Center Location as well as the Kenmore Location. Was in White Center location before pandemic started. The housing lady was not useful complained about her a couple of times, she was advised that I was on a pierce county housing list and was asked to reach out to them to help and see what is going on cause of our living condition which she was no help now pierce county housing says they contacted me but that was a lie so I lost my voucher. Now Kenmore hooked me up when we decided to move back to Washington with nothing. The first rapid rehousing program just stop responding and was no longer in business after they stole all the Safeway gift cards. Somalia Youth and Family Program was the first program then was hooked up with the YWCA who worker Chasity only replies when she wants to answer something that she will assist you with. At this point me and my kids will be fine by Gods grace and I will never donate to MP once I'm Blessed nor will I ever volunteer at a YWCA. Wish I didn't have to give a star to post cause y'all don't deserve the air I breath Update. This is what their housing specialist Miriam said after contacting her read more

Mary's Place - The Housing Specialist at Mary's Place and her response to me saying you all have dropped the ball - Homeless Shelters Near Me - Seattle, Washington

An Asset With a Price Mary's Place enjoys positive press, and after dealing with their staff it seems clear that they deserve it. But their support of people in need comes with a price. They do not use competitive bidding for procurement, so when they need something they apparently buy from their personal favorites rather than from the supplier offering the best deal. My firm, which existed specifically to support nonprofits like Mary's, with no personal gain to me or my partner, went under because so many operate in this way. It didn't matter that he and I invested heavily to be able to offer them genuine deals. When you are seeking an excellent organization to whom to donate your skills or dollars, keep looking. Seattle has several whose staff consistently put their clients' best interest first. You deserve the satisfaction of knowing that the recipient of your charity is one of those. read more

Mary's Place offers shelters and services around the Seattle area. The day shelter on 9th Ave assisted with the drop off of a donation and every staff member I worked with had smiles on their face, showed sincere appreciation and showed they cared not only about the donation but about the people they serve. Thank you Ashley for helping me find your location and offering assistance. This is a great community resource and one I will be happy to donate to again and again in the future. read more

I use to pass this place on my way to work every morning at 7am. There would be women with strollers and small children, leaving Mary's Place. Then, I started stopping in, once a month and giving them a small check...just anything I had. One day, the receptionist made me come in to see the living conditions and tour the facility. After that, I started giving them an even larger amount. I think they do great work. Just recently, I had a large donations of toiletries to drop off. I called and left a message because I would not be able to get there by 3pm. No one returned my phone call, so I went any way. A wonderful young woman, opened the door, when I pressed the buzzer, took my donations, asked me if I wanted a receipt and told me how thankful she was for my donation. I will continue to give to this shelter. read more

I wanted to donate a large collection of hotel soaps, lotions, etc. No one answered their phone, and when I finally did reach someone they said you could you do that on particular days and times. Guess they really don't need donations. Beggars can not be choosers! read more

I volunteered at Mary's Place and I found that the programming and staff are knowledgeable about helping homeless families get back on their feet. Currently, there are two facilities: a day time facility to offers job training, medical assistance, government housing, and provides a family with the basics - diapers, underwear, tampons, toothbrush, etc. and a second time facility is for sleeping arrangements (I personally did not visit this location). Both facilities are prepared to offer services to families, single moms, and single dads. There is a shuttle service to get children to school and back. Anyone can drop off donations to help this non-profit or volunteer their time. read more

This non-profit has a great mission and noble purpose serving homeless mothers and children. Their website has a list of items they are in need of, and donation drop offs are a pretty simple process with the help of temporary parking on the block right in front of the center's door. Donating here is a good solution for passing on infant, children, nursing, teenager's, and mother's items, including food, clothing and toys. Donation receipt provided for tax purposes. read more

Mary's Place, they promote themselves as a nonprofit "empowering women, and families " I experienced mail theft, where packages I had purchased shopping online, where tracked, delivered eat the 9th st location. I NEVER received my packages. Moreover, I had my banking and paycheck sent to that location also, and NEVER received that mail either. When contacting their proper staff in charge, they first, and final resolve was to accuse me of having received the items. And after verifying that in fact I had not received my self purchased items from Kohl's, I was then offered as the ONLY option of resolve/reimbursement gift cards to Payless shoes. Mail tampering of ANY kind is a federal offense, let alone a nonprofit STEALING from their homeless clients, while offering insulting resolve, is nothing close to EMPOWERING. Needless to say, I have sought legal advice and am in the process of civil action. read more