As we gear up for fall, I am about to begin my last year of grad school (FINALLY).
I've also decided to fundraise for my former internship, Marian House, as they host their virtual 5k. At last year's 5k, I helped take photos and walked a part of the route with some of the residents from
Marian House. As a new intern, it was a great way to get to know some of the ladies living at
Marian House outside of their group therapy.
Marian House (MH) is a transitional housing program for women in Baltimore City. MH was started by the School Sisters of Notre Dame (shout out to my alma mater high school which is also an SSND founded institution) and the Sisters of Mercy to help women returning from prison. Currently, residents have all experienced homelessnessd in some capacity, and some are returning citizens or coming from a drug treatment program. MH is vital to Baltimore and Maryland as it's the only program for women leaving MD prisons that helps them get back on their feet. I assisted with the financial literacy classes last year, but MH also offers intensive outpatient therapy for women who have substance abuse history. The residents also all attend job training, have access to tutoring if they need to obtain their GED and individual therapy is also required.
I have been able to reconnect with many of the clients I worked with, as I now work part time at Marian House as a weekend house manager. It's incredible to see residents move to the second phase of the program where they live with other ladies in a house and have more independence. In phase two, the residents are employed and are often able to buy/lease a car, save for an apartment or even a home of their own. Just the other weekend, a resident stopped by for some mail. She told me how she has moved into her own place, adopted two cats, and is waiting for another resident to move in with her when she completes the program.
Thank you for considering! Sending lots of love from Baltimore