About Us - Marillac Place

Our Mission

Marillac Place supports new mothers and mothers-to-be experiencing homelessness in Waterloo Region by providing a safe living environment, teaching parenting & life skills, and developing supportive relationships.

Our Vision

Every mother & child experiencing homelessness in Waterloo Region has the opportunity to recover and rebuild to ensure a successful future.

Our Mandate

Marillac Place provides transitional housing to women aged 16+ who are pregnant, or who have a child in their care, or who are attempting to regain care of their child. Marillac Place can accommodate children up to 24 months of age. Residency is permitted for up to 12 months.

Our History

Marillac Place originated as a Special Works Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (Kitchener Particular Council). Our name came from Louise de Marillac, who was a follower of St. Vincent de Paul, and who served the sick and the poor in the sixteenth century.

Marillac Place first opened our doors in 1987 as a shelter for abused women. In 1992, we changed our mandate to meet the evolving needs of the community by providing housing and support services for pregnant and parenting women and their children. Our goal is to create a culture of empowerment, security, safety and stability for our participants.

We have rooms for up to ten women (aged 16+) and their children (up to the age of 24 months). Women may reside at Marillac Place either during their pregnancy, or with their child for a maximum stay of twelve months providing the family meets our mandate. We can also accommodate women who have lost care of their child (up to the age of 24 months) through our Plan to Parent Program. During their stay at Marillac Place they can work towards regaining care of their child.

Marillac Place is unique because we offer the option of longer-term transitional housing and 24-hour staff support to our participants. Many of our participants lack healthy family and/or social networks. They need supportive housing that will provide them with time to develop the parenting and life skills needed to live independently in the community. Our participants are strengthened through the peer support aspect of community living. We are committed to providing these women and children with all of the tools they will need to have a happy, healthy future with their children.