OL Reign Legend: Mary’s Place Mobile Outreach Team

The Legends Campaign, a partnership between OL Reign and Starbucks, honors women for their extraordinary contributions to our community in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Prior to the May 25th match against the Kansas City Current, OL Reign recognized the Mobile Outreach Team from Mary’s Place for the impactful work they are doing in the community. The Legends honored include Jada Jones-Savage, Yvette Dailey, Keianna Nguyen, Jennifer Lascala, Oriel Alfred, Rachel Hansmeier, Kimen Trochalakis, T'Aira Tolliver and Liz Sutton-Cooper

Mary’s Place was founded in 1999 as a day center for women experiencing homelessness and over time grew to meet the need. The women at the day center developed the structure and daily schedule that remains in effect today: two meals a day, hygiene facilities, showers, laundry, medical care, support groups, and resources for housing, employment and wellness.

To this day, Mary’s Place continues to grow. They have helped thousands of women and families move out of homelessness into more stable situations. Now across five emergency family shelters in King County, Mary’s Place keeps families of all types together, inside, and safe when they have no place else to go, providing resources, housing and employment services, community, and hope.

Each day, their team works with families to address barriers and empower parents to build family stability, secure housing, and prepare for employment. Mary’s Place ensures that no child sleeps outside by centering equity and opportunity for women and families - working to address inequities caused by systemic racism, and oppression that limits opportunity and sustains the wealth gap.

The impacts of COVID continue to exacerbate our crisis of family homelessness. With the end of the eviction moratorium and public rental assistance funds depleted, thousands of families in our community face losing their homes, and family shelters in King County are full.

The Mary's Place Mobile Outreach team is on the front line, working with unsheltered families in our community – families living in cars and tents – to help them move quickly back into housing. The team utilizes flexible funding to address barriers to housing like deposits, copies of ID, or car repairs so that families can find and move into a new home quickly.

In 2021, Mary's Place helped 549 families move back into housing. More than half of those, 317 families, moved to homes with help from our Mobile Outreach team. Their focus today is on helping to keep families in their hard-won homes with rental assistance and stability services.

When asked what advice they would give to young girls or women pursuing a dream in the field they are traditionally underrepresented in, the women of Mary’s Place Mobile Outreach Team shared words of encouragement.

“Know that you don’t have anything to prove to anyone – you already ARE all that. You can do whatever you set your mind and intention on. You possess within you every-thing you need to be successful,” said Trochalakis.

Lascala added, “Follow your passion as you pave the road for future girls to pursue their dreams. Sometimes we need to be fearless when following our dreams, but even the brave need support sometimes, so find someone who is already living your dream, and learn all you can from them.”

“Do the work because you are passionate about it. Even when you think you are not making a difference, YOU ARE. You are our future, and without you, we can’t make a change. Keep pushing through, even when some days may feel hard; you got this,” encouraged Nguyen.

Tolliver said, “Go for it!!! It only takes one person to make a huge change – open the door and create a path for those who will come after you and continue to do great things!”

The incredible work that Mary’s Place does is made possible by the community that supports them. There are several ways to get involved with Mary’s Place, both as a volunteer and making a financial contribution. Fans can become a member of the Homes Team by making a monthly donation. In addition, Mary’s Place accepts donations of gently used or new items from their Wish List.

 “Being honored as an OL Reign Legend meant a lot to me because being recognized at this game reminded me of our team's impact in the community. We are a strong organization with a lot of pride in our work. I am very grateful for the love and appreciation that OL Reign's team and fans shared with us,” said Nguyen.

Tolliver agreed. “To be honored as an OL Reign Legend means my organization's work is not going unnoticed. For my team to be recognized for the passion we put into each case and share with each client brings a great sense of pride and fulfillment.”

“It was especially flattering to be honored by a group of strong, determined, focused women who embody the characteristics I strive to bring to my work,” said Trochalakis.

“The dedication and care that the team shows to their fans is inspiring, and I can’t think of a greater honor than being acknowledged for something that I love. We walk alongside our clients, offering support and guidance as we navigate housing solutions together and this incredible support from OL Reign is such a gift. Thank you for this honor,” concluded Lascala.