MARYSVILLE – Three women who used to be homeless and addicted to drugs are now living as roommates in a city-owned home, working with the faith community and social services on their way to independent lives. Residents of the fifth city MESH (Micro Emergency Shelter House) that opened last month were referred by the Embedded Social Worker team of Rochelle Long and Mike Buell and are graduates of the Everett Gospel Mission.

Under the MESH program, community partners help those in recovery who meet certain standards to get housing. It has helped about a dozen people the past few years.

Those who get into one of the houses are supervised by the mission, after graduating from their sobriety program. Churches like Damascus Road and Bethlehem Lutheran, businesses like Judd & Black and Schaefer-Shipman, and organizations like the Marysville Police Officers Association help furnish the houses, and Allen Creek Community Church provides care and leadership.

Each participant gets their own room, makes their own decisions, and helps their roommates manage the house. They also pay a monthly fee, follow a weekly curriculum that includes building life skills and follow a personal action plan with the goal of independent living after three years.

Liaisons help provide contacts in the community and get residents connected to build relationships to re-enter society.