Episode 189: The Mary Parrish Center – Mary Katherine Rand

On this week’s episode of The 1 Girl Revolution Podcast, we welcome Mary Katherine Rand, Executive Director of The Mary Parrish Center to share her inspiring story and to talk about the incredible work that The Mary Parrish Center does. 

The Mary Parrish Center was founded in 2002 to provide a full array of no-cost, comprehensive services to over 10,000 survivors of interpersonal violence which includes domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, and/or human trafficking. Born out of a need identified by advocates in the community, The Mary Parrish Center spent their first seven years assisting victims with the order of protection process and providing support and guidance for their next steps. 

In 2009, after years of frustration, struggling to help survivors find safe, affordable housing, The Mary Parrish Center decided to take matters into their own hands and developed a program dedicated to providing transitional housing for survivors. In addition to safe, individual apartments, their Transitional Housing Program provides a wide range of flexible and optional support services including case management, clinical therapy, crisis intervention, economic empowerment, enrichment activities, financial assistance, housing advocacy, and workforce development.

In 2019, they developed two new programs: their Rapid Re-housing Program and their Coordinated Entry Process – specific to survivors of interpersonal violence. Their survivor-focused programs enhance their residents’ autonomy by nurturing their capacity to live independently from their abusers, establish self-sufficiency, and secure permanent housing – and a new, freer life.

Mary Katherine started at The Mary Parrish Center as a therapist and now serves as Executive Director – so she has so many incredible stories and experiences from both positions/perspectives. You do not want to miss this great episode!

In this episode you’ll hear:

• Mary Katherine’s inspiring life story;
• How Mary Katherine decided to become a therapist and how she ended up at The Mary Parrish Center;
• The inspiring story of Mary Parrish and how The Mary Parrish Center came to be;
• About the incredible work of The Mary Parrish Center;
• The powerful stories of women who have been served through The Mary Mary Parrish Center;
• And so much more.

The 1 Girl Revolution Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeartRadio, YouTube, and everywhere you listen to podcasts.

For more information on Mary Katherine and The Mary Parrish Center, to get involved, and/or donate, please visit The Mary Parrish Center’s website.

Follow The Mary Parrish Center on Facebook and Instagram.