The Engagement Center at Maryhaven provides services to meet the basic needs of homeless men and women who are inebriated.  In three years, 3,394 homeless people have turned to the center for a safe place to stay.  Of the people who used the center’s services, 510 entered detoxification programs, 420 moved into housing and 390 were referred to mental health treatment.

Two years ago, Lora McClendon made a life-changing step.  Before entering the Engagement Center at Maryhaven, Lora was living on the streets, battling drug and alcohol addiction and separated from her four children.  She was desperate to stop using drugs and alcohol, but didn’t know how.  Then she entered treatment at The Engagement Center at Maryhaven.  Lora describes her experience with the Engagement Center by saying, “They saved my life, and helped me start a new one.”  After staying in the Engagement Center for 12 days, Lora completed the six-month outpatient program at Maryhaven.   Today, she has been clean for more than two years.  She has reunited with her children and is planning to begin nursing school at Columbus State Community College.  Lora maintains daily contact with her sponsor, and lives each day for her children, her mother, God and herself.  Every day is a challenge, but she remembers how she hurt the people she loves, and that keeps her moving forward.