Mary’s Haven on Broad was named in loving memory of my grandmother, Mary, who passed away in 2025.
My grandmother believed that everyone deserves a second chance.
She was a listening ear when someone needed to talk, a cheerleader when someone needed encouragement, and a kick in the ass when someone needed a push in the right direction.
She had a way of helping people see the best in themselves, even when they struggled to see it on their own. She wasn’t afraid to tell people what they needed to hear, even when it wasn’t what they wanted to hear.
She believed in people, but she also understood that she couldn’t make changes for them. She could listen, encourage, support, and remind them of what they were capable of. The decision to make those changes had to be their own.
That belief is at the heart of why I created Mary’s Haven.
Why I started this home
My connection to addiction and its effects is deeply personal. Growing up, I saw firsthand how addiction, codependency, and unhealthy relationships could affect an entire family.
And those experiences didn’t end with my childhood. Throughout my life, I’ve watched people I love struggle with addiction, witnessed the challenges of recovery, and experienced the lasting effects addiction can have on everyone involved.
Addiction has affected me in more ways than I could ever count. I just wasn’t the addict.
Those experiences shaped the way I see people, their struggles, and their ability to change.
I’ve learned that compassion and accountability can exist together. You can love someone, believe in them, and want better for them, but you cannot want change more than they do. At some point, they have to be willing to take the steps themselves.
I also know that making those changes can be incredibly difficult when you don’t have stability, support, or a safe place to begin.
What this home is
I wanted to provide women with more than just a roof over their heads. I wanted to create a safe, structured, and supportive environment where women facing difficult circumstances could find stability, regain independence, and begin building a better future.
Mary’s Haven isn’t about rescuing people or fixing their lives. It’s about giving women who are ready for change an opportunity to help themselves.
It’s about offering encouragement while expecting accountability, providing support while promoting independence, and recognizing someone’s potential without allowing their past to define them.
In many ways, it’s a reflection of what my grandmother believed in. She didn’t have all the answers, and she didn’t pretend to. But she listened, she encouraged, she believed in people, and when necessary, she gave them that push they needed to move forward.
Naming this home after her was my way of honoring her memory and carrying forward those values.
My grandmother helped people see the best in themselves. My hope is that Mary’s Haven can help women discover that same belief in themselves and find the courage to build the lives they deserve.
Mary’s Haven is more than a house. It’s a tribute to my grandmother, a reflection of my own experiences, and a commitment to the belief that everyone deserves the opportunity for a new beginning.
In loving memory of Mary, because everyone deserves a second chance.