On any given day, more than 100 individuals make their way down Republic Street and into the doors of Mary Magdalen House in Over-the-Rhine.

They exit a short time later– many with styled hair, others with freshly shaved faces, and most wearing a laundered outfit of their own.

This is because in 1985, parishioners of Old St. Mary’s Church gathered together and identified that their community could benefit from a safe place to care for their hygiene. Jim and Joan Gardner generously committed to funding this idea, and after purchasing and renovating a building on Main Street, Mary Magdalen House (MMH) opened on March 25, 1988.

Through the years MMH has never lacked for guests, and in 2017 we opened our new location on Republic Street to accommodate more people and extended services.

This month we celebrate our 37th Anniversary, and we do not expect demand to slow down any time soon. In 2024, we saw 1,921 guests, washed 3,386 loads of laundry, and hosted 24,363 showers, the highest number in the organization’s history. Today, in addition to showers and laundry, MMH also offers our guests access to a public phone and the opportunity to sign up for a mailbox, long-term storage, and other dignity-promoting resources. Our on-site resource coordinator refers guests to additional services, such as recovery programs, case management, and more.

But beyond hygiene and connection to resources, Mary Magdalen House prioritizes offering a sense of stability and respect.

We believe that everyone, regardless of their circumstances, deserves to be treated with dignity. We set aside Tom’s preferred shampoo when we notice it come through the donation room. We ask Sheri what color shirt she would like, and we share our concern for Jim’s daughter who is going through rigorous treatment at the hospital. Guests see MMH as a place where they are seen, known, and valued, and many of them visit long after being housed because of that feeling of connection.

This year we look forward to further growing our services. Recently, we were awarded $5,000 to put towards our new Dignity-Promoting Hair Care Fund, which was put in place to purchase an expanded range of products and tools appropriate for the variety of our guests’ hair types and textures. We have also connected with multiple local nonprofits, including mental and physical health providers, to whom we can refer our guests when a need is beyond our own scope.

While we celebrate the anniversary of MMH, we also acknowledge that our work is far from over. Our vision for the future is to see every person in Greater Cincinnati with access to basic hygiene services, and we are currently researching ways to reach people experiencing homelessness outside of our current neighborhood location in OTR. 

Dignity is the beginning of hope, and hope starts with you.

Today, thanks to our dedicated staff, volunteers, and supporters, we are able to continue offering individuals the chance to move forward feeling renewed in body and in spirit. If you are curious about engaging with Mary Magdalen House, whether accessing our services or joining us in our mission, please visit our website marymagdalenhouse.org or email us at hello@marymagdalenhouse.org. 

Laken Crow, Director of Development and Communications

As published in the March 2025 Edition of Streetvibes