St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church Kitchener, Ontario, Canada helps to support Mary’s Place shelter to women of all ages

Margaret Nally, President of the YWCA and Chairman of the Board of Directors, visited St. Andrew's one Sunday recently to see at firsthand how the fund raiser organized by Sherry Smith in support of Mary's Place was doing.

Have a look at Mary's Place Book of Days initiative.

Mary's Place Mary's Place is a haven of safety and refuge for homeless women, youth and children who are in transition or need emergency shelter. Located at the YWCA of Kitchener-Waterloo, in downtown Kitchener, this 53-bed shelter provides a supportive and safe living environment that helps women strengthen their belief in themselves, to heal, or simply have a clean, secure place to call home for a few days, weeks, or longer. Mary's Place provides shelter to women of all ages, facing a variety of situations: a mother of two who fled a violent relationship in the middle of the night; an elderly woman who did not have money to cover her heat, hydro, rent and food bills; a young woman with schizophrenia who could not sleep at night because of the voices in her head; Residents at Mary’s Place receive counselling from a Family Violence Counsellor, Youth Counsellor and/or a Mental Health Counsellor. Their work is augmented by Master of Social Work placement students. Frequent and daily referrals are made to a wide variety of community agencies and services, including: legal and medical professionals, social assistance offices, pregnancy counselling, and many more. It is only through the financial support of the United Way, businesses, individuals, faith groups and service clubs, that the YMCA can continue to offer housing, counselling, and three meals per day to women who arrive at Mary’s Place — regardless of circumstance or ability to pay. Mary’s Place Wish List General Toiletries baby formula, bottles, large diapers kleenex, toilet paper and paper towels baby monitors face cloths and towels new playpen liquid hand soap, hand cream bus tickets disposable razors fresh produce and snacks combs & brushes craft making supplies contact lens solution new clothing (in season) drugstore gift certificates socks and underwear (all sizes) furniture polish, all-purpose cleaner single size bedding, shower curtains irons, desk lamps and alarm clocks video camera, VCR

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