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.

Canon Britt is an absolute blessing of a person. We ended up having to plan an unexpected funeral…read morein Seattle right before Easter. Britt performed the service and got to know the whole family in such a personal and loving way. She provided so much support and love, and we are all so grateful for her support. I cannot say enough about her.

I first visited last year because my partner and I were looking for a church that cared about…read moresocial justice and would support our same-sex relationship. Before walking though the doors, I heard about St. Luke's homeless programs and that the church lost 90% of its membership around 6 years ago when it moved forward with the Episcopal Church, ordaining and performing marriages of LGBTQ folks-- and has slowly been building its membership back up. From the first moment, I saw that the community is loving, varies in age, curious in their faith, and justice-concerned. They literally whooped in celebration when my partner and I announced our engagement. I really enjoy the succinct, rewarding, affecting sermons--my partner particularly loves the weekly communion and the opportunity to volunteer in the kitchen. They offer breakfast to the homeless from 7-9am Monday through Friday. It's powered largely by the passion for service of elderly parishioners - especially those who don't get bogged down in church politics and simply work to serve the poor.

I am a constant food donator to this place(for example, marking 30 sandwiches and bring them here)…read moreand I can tell it helps so many woman and children in need! If you need food, water, a shower, or just something to do this place has it all! The staff working there is very nice and there are so many food organizations(who make food and donate it here) ensuring to keep the people here healthy and happy. Listen, if you are in need of something, go the the Sophia Way and they will most definitely help you!

My heart goes out to the clients at Sophia Way, because if they are going to begin treating clients…read morethe way that they are treating staff, the clients are going to begin getting re-traumatized, kicked back out to the cold street over minor if even communicated rules that make the shelter feel more like a jail, and not met with an ounce of compassion or understanding. I abided by call out policy, with the one exception of the month I, then my 1 year old daughter (I'm a single mom) had Covid. 2 months later, after I only called out twice (me getting my shift covered was still considered a call out) the month my parents had to move out of state, I called out because my daughter was incredibly sick again. I was told after I called out that I was no longer on the schedule going forward, and needed to have a meeting with the managers. Instead of arranging a meeting, the other manager told me that I was terminated due to my call outs. Having been homeless before, I would rather try and stay outside or in my car than staying here with the way the management is operating things. I would say, still utilize the day center. Jazzy is amazing (if they don't find a reason to fire her, too) Also, manager doesn't even know the textbook difference between empathy and sympathy. That's some basic foundational knowledge working in social services. Sympathy isn't "feeling sorry for someone." My termination text (yes I was terminated over text) wasn't even spelled correctly

Although Solid Ground appears as a Coordinated Entry Access point for people in search of resources…read morefor housing or eviction prevention, the highly unprofessional staff will not provide assistance to anyone they do not know and do not like. Staff at this agency use call screening devices to scan for names and telephone numbers of previous clients whom the staff have blacklisted from social services. Do not waste your valuable time and energy on this non profit agency that acts as an obvious grift.

Wow this place is awesome. Stopped by for 'training' for their Operation Front line volunteering…read moreprogram, which teaches families, parents, kids and teens of low income families how to cook nutritious and delicious meals on a budget. What a great idea! Instead of just giving out food, each class participant gets a great lesson in cooking and nutrition, then they get to help create a meal in class AND a bag of groceries to take home with them to practice. The people at training were great - nutrition majors, foodies, chefs all mingling in a philanthropic pow wow. The training was hands on and interactive, and I really like Solid's Ground's focus on diversity, equality, respect and education as a way to help the community. Super cool place! There was a cooking class going on with a room of kids and it smelled heavenly! Look up Solid Ground's Operation Front Line if you love food and love volunteering!

I was raised in the heart of Seattle Washington. And I was taught to work hard, and take care of…read moreyour family. Recently I suffered from heart failure which led to heart surgery. Thank GOD I'm still here. But my point in this conversation is that I'm unable to longer work, and although I wish I could fend for myself, it's not that way anymore. I want to reach out to the establishment (church), Pastor, staff ( Ricky Stuart), and the whole Mt.Zion team for not sometimes but always being there in dire times, through prayer, leadership, and support. Thank You GOD and continue to bless MT. Zion...

I'm not a big organized religion fan, but one random Sunday, I was filled with a desire for live…read moregospel....thus I attended, along with my wonderful white Baptist grandmother. Despite being the minority, we have never felt so welcome in a new space. They have been in the community for 120 years, so you know they are doing it right. Reverend Williams is witty, fun and relatable. He also hops like a cricket, which I needed as I get sleepy in most Judeo-Christian services I'm dragged to as a heathen. If you like a chorus of strong voices that rock your core, go the first Sunday of the month - it will bring you to tears. Seriously. and get this...I went back. Mt. Zion broke my one timer trend as we felt so welcome.

Run by Catholic Community Services,, CCS,, this has been a game changer in the battle to escape…read morehomelessness! A nice, clean room, case management to work towards a permanent place, supportive, helpful staff. I am truly grateful for all they have done!!

I called to get information the staff were very helpful thank you. That is exactly what is the…read morebest.

I attended a volunteer event at the Kirkland Teen Union Building and I was really impressed with…read morethe work that they do at this center. Each Friday is "Teen Feed", a safe place for kids to find a hot meal and hang out with others their age. Being in need is not a requirement, kids from all backgrounds appeared to be represented during my visit. I learned that the center provides some job training, including having the teens run the on site cafe. They have job training classes for baristas, including latte art! Career coaching, culinary art classes, yoga, piano, all kinds of cool classes! Music shows, open mic, art, plenty of activities keeping the local kids out of trouble. The center also provides many opportunities for kids to volunteer. Love it!

KTUB, or the Kirkland Teen Union Building is an amazing local resource for Kirkland/Eastside Youth…read more My kids regularly attend events here. They have "Teen Feed" every Friday, where kids enjoy a hot meal and a safe place to hang out, socialize and play games. They have Barista classes, job skills training, community activism and volunteer opportunities, routinely host live shows featuring local teen bands, have silk screening classes and equipment time for rent, have audio mix/recording classes and rent studio time, and so much more. Centrally located by a movie theater, local park, library and the transit center, they help build a community where kids can play, socialize, learn skills, meet new people and do more than just "hang out" or wander around town bored. Their cafe will soon be open to the public, staffed by volunteers who graduate the barista and server classes. If you stop in, be sure to tip well: that awesome latte you get might just be made by one of my kids! (I will absolutely hunt you down if you don't)

Lots of blouses to chose from. Definitely for older women. Not much of a men's selection. Baby…read moresection is very limited. The women suggest I go to "Small Threads" for baby clothes.

Excellent thrift shop! It was very clean and well-organized with very fair prices. Staff was…read morefriendly and helpful. Highly recommend!