“The unfortunate tragedy led to the naming of the first women’s facility created by Marilyn, “Liza’s Place”.
On September 10, 2001 when 39-year-old, Liza Chavez, a woman whom Marilyn had been helping, was murdered on the streets of Colorado Springs. Liza was an alcoholic and had served time in jail for several non-violent crimes. Upon release from jail, Liza found herself without a support system, living outside, and sleeping in local parks and under bridges in the Springs. Although Liza faced an uphill battle to create a stable existence for herself, Marilyn said she was anxious to turn her life around. The night before Liza was killed she called Marilyn and said, “If you don’t have a women’s home for me to go to and get off of these streets, I would just as soon go to be with Jesus.” Marilyn formed the shelter in response to the need for a safe, supportive home environment for women like Liza.”