Posts by admin
5 O'clock on North C Street
5 o’clock on North C Street is very different from what one might imagine. It’s so quiet, a quiet that is not familiar to this campus during operating hours. There are people set up in random spots, drinking water or smoking. Sometimes they are chatting but most often there are blank stares, I can’t help…
Read MoreHarnessing Hope
“Okay ladies! Here we go, it’s that time.” “Ohhhhh maaaaaaaan! Again? Alright, alright.” Ladies who’ve made themselves at home on benches throughout our back patio space get up slowly, the way my grandmother did, grunting and groggy from relaxation. Their arms bend slower than usual, they are weary from the life that ages them,…
Read MoreMaryhouse Welcomes, Kaylee!
I received the warmest welcome on my first day at Maryhouseand Loaves & Fishes. The entire tour of the campus (more like a university) took an entire hour! I learned so many names and received so many smiles! Some staff, not all from Maryhouse, even knew a bit about me, like my previous job was…
Read More"mail check please"
On most days at Maryhouse, my daily tasks consist of your usual front desk activities – answering phone calls, welcoming and informing new guests of the services we provide, maintaining the front lobby, and what most people would find to be tedious work – filing mail for approximately 600 women (correct me if that…
Read MoreBINGO glimmers
“Biiiiiiiingo! Ladies, I am here for BINGOOOOO!” Rosemary, our dedicated volunteer, glides through the lobby singing that it’s time for the weekly BINGO game. Today, she is a whole day early so it’s a surprise to the ladies. Today they thought they’d have another day of conversing with each other, sitting or sleeping in comfort,…
Read MoreSometimes, even the most difficult moments in this work call for a good laugh
I heard our front door swing open and I heard her voice before I even saw who it was. I smiled and said aloud to my coworkers, “Sue!” I walked out of the office into the lobby to Sue standing in the doorway, wearing her long blue coat, her blonde hair combed to perfection, all…
Read MoreShe maintains beauty.
She can often be found darting from one end of campus to another, carrying a pot of dirt or a sickly flower that needs a little love. Most recently she hauled a giant watermelon, grown in her garden shouting, “Isn’t this cool?” Her name is Donna. 25 years ago she was homeless and she’d say,…
Read More"Hey now, it's always good to be seen!"
“Good morning, how are you?” “I’m blessed. Very blessed.” More often than not this is the response from our women as they enter our back patio gate every morning. They are often pushing squeaky carts with shaky wheels, overflowing baby strollers filled with all that they own, or tattered and torn suitcases that have…
Read More"I've never walked so fast, I'm so glad you're still here."
I opened the door, after hours, frustrated that someone was pounding feverishly. She was panting and sweating. She was out of breath as she was smiling. I saw her then I saw a baby. His skin so beautiful and clean, his demeanor so calm. I looked up and she said, “I’ve never walked so fast,…
Read More"Why won't she give me her baby?"
My walk past the water cooler in the Maryhouse lobby happens often as the door right next to the cooler leads me to the coffee. Today was like any other day, the lobby was full which means babies laughing or crying, women shouting or talking. The phone was ringing mail was being checked and…
Read More