Marisol Women's Services

Marisol Women's Services is a comprehensive health, housing and human services network built by Catholic Charities to meet the urgent and ongoing needs of women, men and families.

Marisol Women's Services is made up of a Marisol Homes location which provides safe and secure community-based housing for pregnant women and single women with children; 2 Marisol Health clinics providing supportive, qualified, life-affirming medical care for women and men; (plus a satellite office on the CU Boulder campus), and 13 Marisol Family locations assisting pregnant women and families with diaper needs through the Bottom Line Diaper Bank and other supportive services.

• Marisol Homes serves single expectant mothers, single women and single women with children, who are experiencing homelessness. Our staff work with women and families as they integrate back into the community. Here, families and expectant women receive more than a safe place. They receive services, and the support needed to rebuild their lives.

• Marisol Health Centers are licensed medical centers offering free or low-cost options for testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy tests, comprehensive ultrasounds, prenatal care, delivery and confidential counseling. Physician and resource referrals assist women, particularly those vulnerable to abortion, in making healthy and informed decisions regarding their reproductive health.

• Marisol Family is a network of 13 locations throughout northern Colorado to help pregnant women and families with young children in need of material and community services. We provide diapers, wipes, baby formula, baby food, infant and children's clothes and other items for families in need. We also provide referrals for housing, medical, employment, education and parenting programs.

Statistics according to our 21/22 fiscal year:
• Marisol Family, formerly called Gabriel House Project, served 15,000 children
• 297 babies were born to Marisol Health clients
• Over 1.5 million free diapers were distributed at 10 Marisol Family locations

THE IMPACT OF YOUR GIFT:

Housing pregnant women experiencing homelessness is critical to maternal and infant health. Research shows that adverse environmental conditions such as being unhoused cause negative impacts to the mother and child. According to a recent study, women experiencing homelessness are more than twice as likely to have a complication that impacts their health during birth. They are also almost twice as likely to have early or threatened labor during pregnancy.

Given that vulnerability, places such as Marisol Homes have stepped up to serve more expectant women than ever. In 2022 alone, Marisol Homes, a longer-term shelter of Catholic Charities of Denver, gave nine women experiencing homelessness a haven during their pregnancies and a place to return post-partum for critical bonding with their newborns. Programs such as prenatal, postpartum and parenting classes give essential tools to first- time parents, and to women with other children.

“It is vital that we offer stability to support new life,” shared program manager Vin Glover. “We have successfully given more women a protective net this year than ever before. Right now, we have six women in house who are expecting.” Genevieve is one of the nine women who entered Marisol Homes program with a pregnant belly this year. She has used the tools and space provided to nurture her newborn, Carson. 

“The security and safety have given me the courage to take on motherhood,” said Genevieve, who has three other children that aren’t currently in her custody. “To have a place to call home after I left the hospital with my baby was life changing.” Two years ago, the 34-year-old gave birth to a baby girl who was taken into foster care soon after delivery. Many of the women at Marisol have been exposed to generational trauma and didn’t experience healthy childhoods where they felt safe and loved. The goal at Marisol Homes is to empower mothers to believe they are capable parents through self-reflection, mental health awareness, wellness and a supportive environment.

Lara O’Shaughnessy, LCSW, Marisol Services specialist shares, “At Marisol, we encourage our parents to focus on the present/future relationship with their children, reassuring mothers that it is never too late to strengthen the loving bond with their little ones. We strive to nurture connection between mother and child so that their family unit can thrive.” Tiffany and Dianna, pictured below, are two of the mothers who safely carried their babies at Marisol Homes until their third trimester.

*Marisol Services is a ministry of Catholic Charities*