Shirley found a home where she is always welcomed

Shirley was 45 years old when she lost her job. She was already struggling when her health deteriorated. Soon, she discovered that she needed brain surgery, which affected short and long-term memory. People treated her “like I was garbage they wanted to throw away.”

It took several weeks for her to gather the courage to walk into Mary’s Place. By this point, she had already retreated so far inside herself that it was hard to even speak. Shirley tells us the people at Mary’s Place were patient, kind, and knew exactly what she needed to get back on her feet. Step by step, she was able to find housing.

Soon thereafter, Shirley was diagnosed with diabetes. Thanks to a nurse at Mary’s Place, she was able to learn how to manage her condition and get on with living. “Mary’s Place respects and honors me, and teaches every woman you can get bitter, or you can get better.”

Shirley is doing well now, living on her own, but says, “Mary’s Place will always be my home, even though I have my own home now.”  When volunteers come in to help (and sometimes paint fingernails, as in this picture), she loves to sit down and share.

Thank you for showing Shirley that she has a home no matter where her life takes her.