Marcea Brown didn’t need a handout. She needed someone to guide her as she waded the waters of being a single mother experiencing homelessness.
That’s when she found Sacred Heart House, a sort-of shelter that helps single mothers and single women gain self-sufficiency. Whether that be finding them a job or a degree program, Denver’s Sacred Heart House aims to stitch up the wounds of homelessness instead of putting on a Band-Aid.
“They really dedicate themselves to solving the issue instead of perpetuating a litany of poverty,” Brown said.
Sacred Heart House emphasizes a three-pronged approach to helping women become self-sufficient. The first is its in-house stabilization program. This is where women like Brown are given temporary housing, food, clothes and transportation. The stabilized environment allows women to develop sufficiency skills like cleaning, laundry and parenting. Here, they also can receive referrals for permanent or transitional housing.
The second step is a follow-up program that ensures the connection established with the in-house program is never severed. They’ll send furniture, household goods, emergency food and other help to families around the holidays.
The third program is transitional housing, a two-year program that offers affordable living to mothers who are pursuing a degree or a vocation.
As the transitional housing case manager, Sherri Ludlam works with six single mothers, essentially coaching them as they get back on their feet. Brown was one of those women who found herself under Ludlam’s wing.
When the two met, Brown was newly evicted while struggling to balance finances, parenting her daughter Mariana and going to school.
Now, Brown is knee-deep in Metropolitan State University of Denver’s international business program with a focus in human resources. She’s flying through the four-plus year degree with sights set on law school.
“There are not a lot of places that allow you to go to school while you’re on the verge of being homeless or are homeless,” Brown said. “They foster education and allow you to grow.”
In 2018, Sacred Heart House helped 1,064 clients. It’s that four-digit figure that executive director Janet Morris said legitimizes their efforts.
And as long as single women and mothers are in need of help, Sacred Heart House will open its doors to them.
“We have the opportunity to provide shelter to women and children who are literally on the streets or in their cars,” Ludlam said. “Any night of safety we can provide is great.”
