Victoria and Roxanne are happy to be home!

Victoria had been experiencing homelessness for more than 20 years. She is a strong, resilient woman who has survived the trauma of fleeing domestic violence and health crises. When Victoria came to the Mary's Place Women's Day Center ten years ago, along with dry clothes and a hot meal each day, she found friends, activities, and people who cared about her. In December, Mary's Place staff shared some exciting news about a new supportive housing opportunity that might be a good fit. Just a few days after Christmas, she moved into her own studio apartment.

Roxanne is new to the Day Center. Staying at a nearby shelter, she came by every few days to take a shower, do some laundry, and get resources and lunch. Roxanne escaped from a domestic violence situation in her home country the year before and made her way to Seattle to begin a new life. Friendly and outgoing, Roxanne made friends who supported her as she acclimated to her new community. In early December, she also got some great news from her Mary's Place Housing Advocate that a new apartment building was opening nearby that didn't require credit or rental history. Roxanne recently moved into her new home, just in time to celebrate the New Year!

supportive housing at Toft Terrace

Toft Terrace is a Plymouth Housing project in Ballard that provides permanent supportive housing to 81 adults who have previously experienced homelessness. At Toft Terrace, Victoria and Roxanne moved into fully furnished and stocked apartments with access to a community room, communal computer room, and professional case management. The building is near several community amenities, including a Rapid Ride bus line.

“Toft Terrace is an amazing resource for our community,” said Mary's Place Day Center Housing Advocate, Kimen. “There are not many housing options for single homeless adults, particularly women. It’s so exciting to see these women in a place of their own where they can finally let their guard down and enjoy life.”

Director of Residential Services, Josh Terlouw, shares that Plymouth is excited to be expanding outside of downtown Seattle to address the growing crisis of homelessness in our region. “This is our first building in Ballard, and we’re excited to be a part of the neighborhood,” says Josh. “We value our partnership with Mary’s Place to provide safe, supportive housing for their day center clients.”

Both Roxanne and Victoria are enjoying the autonomy they have in their own space. Victoria loves to cook and grilled up her first steak recently, and Roxanne is so happy using her own key to open her own door!

Getting started in a new place is challenging, but Roxanne met a new friend who told her about an online training program to become a home health care worker. She recently completed the course and now has four clients – a perfect job for someone who loves to care for people.

And both women are so grateful to Mary's Place and our housing specialists, who walked beside them every step of the way. Roxanne calls Mary's Place staff, Kimen, her angel Gabriel for how she made miracles happen!

We are grateful to our partners at Plymouth Housing for creating this space and providing safe, supportive homes to some of our most vulnerable Day Center guests! As of this writing, six Mary's Place Day Center guests have moved into Toft Terrace!