Martha’s House has the facilities to house a maximum of 28 persons currently experiencing homelessness within Monroe, Lawrence, and Owen Counties. The allowed length of stay is dependent upon the place of last residence. Martha’s House is the only provider of individual emergency shelter and case management services in Monroe County that:
"Parking is limited" Adequate parking is available across the street in the church parking lot.
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6/17/09
To Whom It May Concern:
I am a former resident of Martha’s House in Bloomington, In. In the past year, I have stayed there for multiple, if brief, periods of time. I became homeless in 2008 as a direct result of my addiction to alcohol and drugs. I now am sober, in a steady job, and in my own apartment, for which I just paid rent two weeks early. I am writing this letter on behalf of Martha’s House and what it has done for me in my recovery and my regaining of independence.
When I first came to Martha’s House, I was trying to stay sober, and they were non-judgmental and very understanding of my situation and my struggles. The staff and caseworkers were incredibly knowledgeable about various resources in town that I needed, as far as medicine, food, and jobs. They always encouraged me to stay sober, and their no drugs/no alcohol policies were strictly enforced, which gave me yet another solid reason to stay clean. Any issue I had was dealt with discreetly and with kindness. They encouraged kindness in all actions and rules, and I witnessed many occasions where previously close-minded residents became a bit more tolerant of others, simply because intolerance was not allowed.
Martha’s House was always there, even when I relapsed. As long as I was sober and willing when I came in, I was given a safe, warm, clean place to stay. This is important, especially in early recovery, because relapse, if not exactly inevitable, is very common, and having someone there to help me up when I fell was invaluable. They were always there to help me up and encourage me to pursue a sober life3.
Almost everything I needed was provided, or if it wasn’t, they told me where to obtain it.
They measured each resident by their specific needs to develop a case plan, and that sort of individualized treatment is also invaluable. At Martha’s House, you are not a another number in the social system; you are a valid person who happens to need some extra help. But it is not a hand-out, which I greatly appreciate. It is more of a guide in helping you either re-learn or learn for the first time how to function and thrive in day to day society.
I do not know if I would be alive, let alone sober, if Martha House was not in existence. When I first became homeless, winter was not far away. I would have either been on the streets or around other using, drinking people. I cannot stress enough the important role it had in my recovery. And not only mine- for people who work for recovery and truly want independence, it is exactly the type of help that is necessary.
I hope I have been able to accurately express my feelings. I know I can never thank the organization adequately on paper. I can only truly give my thanks by living well and succeeding. I will be going back to school in the fall and thought that school was no longer I in my grasp. I now can finish my college degree. Martha’s House gave me the stability I needed to fulfill my potential, and for that I will be eternally grateful.
Sincerely,
Former Martha’s House Resident
