GEORGETOWN, Ky. (FOX 56) — An outreach program in Georgetown has been helping women during difficult periods of their lives for almost three years.
By providing a safe, sober, structured environment, Mary’s Safe Haven transitional house envisions a brighter future for women and their children.
“I wasn’t able to be a mom, and I’m able to be a mom now,” Christina Marlar, a resident, said.
Marlar said she has found stability after some difficult years.
“I was struggling a lot not being here, you know, with someone that could help and someone that could protect us and help us, and so that has helped a whole lot, the security and the love,” Marlar said.
Currently, nine women and nine children are receiving assistance and housing at the facility.
“I feel very blessed to be able to watch these ladies when they first come and watch them grow and watch what they become,” Julie Gray, Mary’s Safe Haven executive director, said. “It’s unbelievable, to be honest. They leave out of here; they don’t look anything the way they looked when they walked in through the doors.”
One month ago, Joan Johnson was welcomed into the organization and said this program is a step into the future for her and her soon-to-be daughter.
“I struggled with addiction for almost eight years, and I’ve been in and out of recovery for, well, since 2018, and I’ve been in a coma, and I just got tired of being just another addict with no hope,” Johnson said.
But hope is all Johnson sees now.
“I’m not used to people being good; I’m used to really evil people, and it’s just different. So mentally, it’s getting me spiritually well,” Johnson said.
Gray said she has helped more than 100 women in the program re-adapt back into society, but during the holiday season, she sees more calls asking if any rooms are available.
“The numbers do rise through this season alone and, to be honest, just the winter itself, because that may be where people are closed in. But we do get an increase in calls, and it’s hard to turn people away. I’ll be honest with you, it’s very hard,” Gray said.
But the greatest thing to come out of the program is the new family and support system each woman has.
“We love them like family. That’s real because Julie loves me like family,” Marlar said.
Mary’s Safe Haven is always looking for donations to help expand their resources. If you would like to help, click here.