Mary's Story

In the summer of 2003, Mary Weers lost both her job and her home leaving the 20-year-old homeless on the streets of Seattle. Once Mary's mother sent her daughter a plane ticket home to Tulsa, Mary had to deal with an alcoholic, and often times abusive, step-father. Then Mary, who has battled depression and bipolar disorder, discovered the Mental Health Association's Walker Hall Transitional Living Center. Our housing program gave Mary safe and affordable housing, along with access to support groups, advocacy, treatment and legal counseling.

Though Mary made it back on her feet, living independently and supporting herself, she needed the support of a community. She had learned healthy ways to manage her symptoms on her own, but still suffered from depression. She isolated herself and never left her apartment leaving her feeling hopeless and suicidal, "I often times didn't even want to see my friends," Mary says.

"I didn't know how I wanted to do it, but I knew I wanted to kill myself"

When the Denver House was opening in November of 2010, Mary admits she was very skeptical. She lives in an apartment across from Denver House, Oklahoma's first peer-run drop-in center, where the staff has experienced the daily struggles of living with a mental illness. "I thought this was going to be another homeless shelter," Mary said. "I really didn't think that it would be the booming success it is now."

Once Mary realized how much Denver House could change lives, she became one of its first volunteers. She began leading her own arts & crafts group, along with greeting newcomers looking to rebuild their own lives.

"My life now has a purpose, rather than just coasting by"

Denver House provides a community-based outlet where participants can learn different methods of living satisfying, hopeful, and contributing lives, where the focus is not simply on treating symptoms. It offers support and structure that provides education and socialization opportunities that aid in the recovery process. Denver House also helps in linking participants to other social services and community mental health agencies. As well as provides participants with groups like: job counseling, advocacy training, stress management, health & wellness, and many more. Denver House is non-clinical and voluntary and welcomes anyone who walks through the doors.

Denver House changed Mary's life by providing her with the supportive community she needed. Give a gift today to help Mary change other lives.