“I can’t begin to tell you how thankful and grateful I am for all the gifts I received,” said Mary Onosco, a resident of Marian Plaza, in a thank you letter she sent to Catholic Charities of Denver.
Mary, who is 89 years strong, found herself in need of assistance. A rough divorce partnered with the lack of family in the area, she leaned on community resources that connected her to affordable housing. Since 2017, Marian Plaza has given Mary a sense of home. “Marian Plaza is home to me. My friends are here, and I couldn’t be happier,” said Mary, who spends most of her days coloring.
Marian Plaza is one of 30 affordable housing properties across Northern Colorado run by Catholic Charities of Denver. It provides 121 affordable housing units to Colorado seniors. Mary loves her one-bedroom apartment and enjoys her cozy living room, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom.
The staff fosters community at Marian Plazathat keeps residents active and healthy. Residents are given monthly activity calendars that are filled with social, educational and necessary activities such as trips to the grocery store and shopping centers. During scheduled activities and downtime, seniors are encouraged to socialize with other residents. These structured programs help seniors maintain a high quality of life and provide them with independence, mobility and transportation when needed.
Mary was one of the Adopt-A-Family recipients, a holiday drive sponsored by Catholic Charities of Denver which matches compassionate donors with families and individuals who need a little assistance during the holiday season. “The gifts I received were things I really needed. Items such as clothing and household items were gifts that I deeply appreciated,” said Mary.
Throughout the year, there are several Catholic Charities’ programs and events that help our residents. Learn more about all of them here and find out how you can help.
We are grateful that Mary took the time to express her gratitude to our team and everyone who helps us support neighbors and transform lives.