Marillac Place - Kitchener, Ontario

Sarah R.

I stayed here for an entire year, and I gotta be honest..
Overall, they mean well. They have good intentions. They employ(for the most part) some pretty awesome women. BUT..

They do not follow their own rules with a black and white mind- lots of grey area. I, along with others, had noticed some double standards that made the living environment very stressful and overwhelming.

They also had some pretty weird rules. For example. If you plan to go out for the weekend, you must REQUEST a pass, which can be denied.

Something that bothered me was the lack of support around parenting in general. I was there after escaping a very hostile relationship, and they tried forcing me to make sacrifices and put myself in very uncomfortable positions to accommodate my abuser. Was a bit disappointing to feel completely alone on that.

Another thing that was very uncomfortable was their nighly check-ins. This involved them coming to each person's room between the hours of 1am and 4am, and making sure you are not cosleeping with your child. I understand the motive, but it was creepy..

This is random, but I feel it's important to mention. They charge a good chunk of money monthly to live here, but the food options are awful. They say food cost comes out of your rent, and that's why they charge, but majority of the food is donated from the food bank, and if you request a grocery item it never gets picked up(they're supposed to do a weekly grocery shop). It was definitely annoying while being pregnant. If you purchase your own food, it has to stay in the kitchen. If others ignore your name on it and eat your food, there is nothing staff will do about it.

Lastly, while moving out at 13 weeks pregnant, from the third floor, the main staff refused to help me with my boxes, even after I had cried at her office door that it was causing me pain. Pretty big disappointment there..

I am thankful for having a place to go to in a time of need though.

C W.

Marillac Place offers a very clean, kind and nurturing environment for mothers and children. Their staff are pleasant and caring and take their job seriously. The house is immaculately clean with appropriate rules and everyone adheres to regulations set by the ministry. I would highly recommend Marillac place to those in need and am thankful for their help for me and my baby during a rough time in our lives. I've learned so much during our stay and found the extra help and learning to be super beneficial.

Chantal E.

As someone else commented, some of these reviews are untrue. If women go into labour, they already have a plan as to how they want to get to the hospital whether it is by Ambulance, they have someone to call, or by taxi (which at times Marillac has and does provide taxi vouchers). There is a phone residents have access to along with a computer and a television. Staff buy fresh food from the store and there is donations from the food bank, but staff pick out fresh, good food. Nothing mouldy or expired. The staff work hard to maintain a safe and supportive household. Things will never run perfectly smooth as there is up to 10 women living together, plus babies and/or toddlers; but staff try to make it as perfect as possible. The staff are good, caring, hardworking people. Marillac is a pretty great place which is non-profit and runs on donations.

Elizabeth K.

I lived here for a year and I have to say some times were hard but the staff was vary supported when it’s comes to hard time sadly I had to say good bye to one of the staff that my son and I have bond with we will miss u all the staff

C H.

I stayed at marilac December 23 2019 to August 2020. I saw a bad review saying things that aren't true so i decided to review my own experience. They even gave me Christmas presents, gift cards, baby stuff, soft baby blanket that i still have, socks etc.
So kind!
-There were no bed bugs, or ant infestation in the basement. One would hope nobody brought unwanted guests when moving in since.
But,
-floors, counters, dishes, garbage, recycling, on every floor multiple times a day, bathrooms daily chores. If residents don't do it, staff do. They're VERY clean.
- heat is on very high in winter so you may want to open your window in your room.
- ac comes on after a specific temperature is reached for the second day in a row and when working works very well!
- after 6 kitchen chores are done and cooking isn't allowed because residents don't always clean up properly after cooking. There are alloted times to use the kitchen to cook at breakfast lunch and dinner. Snacks are allowed after dinner chores so long as you don't make a mess and clean any dishes you make. Its not staffs job to do your dishes. Very reasonable.
- you are not allowed to bathe after 9pm which is very reasonable. There are rooms on either side of 2&3 floor bathrooms and babies who are trying to learn how to sleep thru the night and tired mamas who don't want their little angels to become little banshees just cause you don't have common courtesy.
- its a non profit shelter, the region of waterloo i believe helps fund their staff (I think) and aside from that, they run on donations and what you pay for rent. Its very common for shelters to charge a subsidized rent depending on your income type/amount. They are not profiting.
- i would recommend marillac place. Staff is excellent. They really do care. They're so nice. I would spend hours talking to them. Overall my memory of my time, there is positive because of my interactions with them. I made so much progress there and I would not be where I am today if not for them, and their help. I would recommend marilac place over anywhere else in the tri city area just because of the staff. I really appreciate all that they did for me. They truly went above and beyond. Thank you again, Marillac.

Anita D.

I have read some of the comments, which are untrue. I had done some work there and it is a friendly environment. Their food is actually purchased, as a staff member would take a list from residents and from what was needed for the food plans and would then shop for those needs. Some donations were yes given, however staff was very adamant in making sure no expired food was ever given to the residents. This was very important to them. They maintained a safe atmosphere for residents.and offer as many programs as possible. To assist young mothers in becoming the best mothers they can be. Without their continued support for mothers at risk, we would see a lot more homelessness, and apprehension than we do. They also do not recieve as much funding as other agencies. So if persons wish to complain be a solution, not a problem.

Lisa B.

For the past two years I have witnessed the staff do their best to build a safe and inclusive environment for participants, staff, and visitors. Management truly does care about the well-being of participants and staff, and Marillac Place has been a positive place to be!

Therese T.

Rejected excellent baby clothes (washed &folded) and must need items because it wasn't NEW due to covid and lack of space. I know a lot of new moms who buy used items. I guess I'll just donate to an actual charity.