The Mary Elizabeth House stands as a beacon of hope and support for women and families facing adversity.
Founded with a vision to empower and uplift those in need, we offer a comprehensive range of programs and services, that make a tangible difference in the community, and enable individuals to build a brighter future for themselves and their children.
A Haven of Support and Empowerment
Using a Two-generation (2Gen) approach that builds family well-being by intentionally and simultaneously working with children and the adults in their lives, The Mary Elizabeth House provides a safe and nurturing environment where women and families can find solace, support, and the resources they need to overcome challenges. As a transitional housing program, our organization offers temporary safe, and stable accommodation to at-risk women and their children. With a focus on fostering stability and self-sufficiency, the facility provides more than just a roof over their heads; it serves as a springboard for personal growth and transformation, allowing us to meet our young mothers not just where they are, but where they dream
Comprehensive Services
The Mary Elizabeth House offers a wide array of services designed to address the diverse challenges families face. through educational programs, job training, counseling, and access to vital community resources, women are equipped with knowledge and skills, that empower them to break free from the cycle of poverty and homelessness, fostering a sense of independence and self-worth. And, because the journey to stability often involves healing and rebuilding from past traumas, we offer professional counseling services to address the emotional well-being of our residents.
Community Engagement & Collaboration
Our people and programs actively engage with the local community through outreach, volunteer opportunities, and collaborations with partner organizations. We’re fostering a spirit of collaboration and collective responsibility and building a supportive network that extends beyond our physical premises, contributing to the overall well-being of our community.
Our Strategic Action Plan - Vision 2026
Vision
The Vision of The Mary Elizabeth House is to be an advocate for young women, ages 18-25, who are expecting or parenting children, especially those who have aged out of the foster care system; and to provide a place for them to realize their dreams and to become productive citizens in society.
Mission
Our mission is to provide safe and stable housing, guidance, and training to young women and their children who need support, especially those who are transitioning out of the foster care system, so that they become resilient, having a sense of holistic well-being that empowers them to be accountable and self-sufficient for themselves and their children.
Core Values
Respect - Respect of self and others
Compassion – providing grace where needed so we can be a place of transformation.
Integrity – Fostering honesty, listening to every voice, and lifting every person to effectively do our work.
How We Work
TMEH uses a Two-Generations (2Gen) approach in facilitating its work, which recognizes whole family units – as families define themselves - to consider the variety of pathways for promoting positive, pragmatic, and effective outcomes for everyone. We work with families as experts and meaningfully engage young parents in designing policies and programs that affect them to develop holistic, integrated and equity -focused solutions. This family-centered lens helps to immediately identify whole families’ needs and goals to inform integrations and alignments to programs that serve them, which maximizes long-term impact for families and their communities (Aspen Institute).
Join Us
In a world where many individuals face seemingly insurmountable challenges, the Mary Elizabeth House is a testament to the power of compassion, empowerment, and community. By providing shelter, education, counseling, and a range of essential services, we have transformed countless lives, helping women and families overcome adversity and build brighter futures. Join us as we continue to inspire hope and create lasting change in the lives of those we serve.
Our work is supported by:
The District of Columbia’s Child and Family Service Agency
The Department of Housing and Community Development
The Local Initiatives Support Corporation
W. K. Kellogg
Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC)
John Marshall Bank
Eugene & Agnes Meyer Foundation
The Community Foundation of Metro Washington
African American Women’s Giving Circle
The Federal City Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta
M&T Bank
KaBoom
AT&T
Freddie Mac Foundation
The Jane Bancroft Robinson Foundation
and by generous gifts from private organizations and individual donors