WHO ARE THE PEOPLE PROVIDING CARE? A Board of Directors has guided the non-profit organization since its inception in 2001. There is at least one trained staff member present at the shelter at all times.

Verlee Young, our Program Manager, has a Master’s degree in social work and has 35 years of experience in the profession. Verlee tailors a case plan for each woman, including the needs of the unborn child, parental skills, goals in education, finance and personal living skills. She maintains the case plans and coordinates with outside  agencies for services such as child care, Medicaid, and transitional housing.  Verlee is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) and therapist (PIP).

Judy Urbanski does our bookkeeping and payroll, assists with data input, and generally helps the staff with whatever needs to be done. 

The two full-time House Managers, Rita and Brenda, have the day-to-day responsibilities of the shelter and mothers, enforcing house rules and assisting the residents in making progress on their case plans. Rita has a Master's Degree in Human Development and 26 years of working in social work. She has extensive experience working with victims of child abuse, sexual assault and domestic violence. Brenda has more than 30 years volunteer work and ministry with pregnant girls and women. She has also worked with homeless families, the elderly and disabled.

Five part-time House Managers fill in when Brenda or Rita is sick or on vacation.  Two of the part-timers, Marla and Nora, are certified doulas.  A doula is defined as a non-medical assistant who provides support and comfort to the mother during childbrith, however our doulas do much more than that.  They also provide prenatal and post-partum instruction to our mothers.  Camille, another one of our part-timers, has a Bachelor's degree in social work and interned with Mary' Shelter during her senior year.  Carol and Alyce complete our team of House Managers, bringing with them many years of work and volunteer experience, in addition to being experienced moms and grandmas.