Mary Lou’s Place

YWCA’s Safe Emergency Shelter for Survivors of Domestic Violence

In 2021, we opened an expanded, trauma-informed emergency shelter, Mary Lou’s Place, which provides twice as much capacity for survivors of domestic violence as our previous structure.

Mary Lou’s Place provides safe shelter, combined with crisis intervention and critical support services. It emphasizes dignity, healing and safety, allowing survivors and their children space and time to begin to heal from the trauma of domestic violence.

When a client arrives at the Mary Lou’s Place, their immediate needs, as well as those of their children, are addressed. Residents are provided a private room for the family, and are given clothing, bed linens and personal supplies.

During their stay, advocates and children’s counselors provide daily individual and group counseling sessions, parent/child workshops, and specialized workshops such as health education, job readiness, and financial wellness. This important combination of emotional and practical support enables survivors to access the resources and find within themselves the ability to achieve self-sufficiency.

If you or someone you know needs help, call us toll free at 877-718-1868.