Marilyn grew up in a world that did not care. Her childhood was spent in group homes and foster care, with her mother occasionally reentering her life, only to leave again. Years later, as a mother of two, Marilyn was determined never to give up on her own children. When Marilyn was threatened with violence by her partner, she turned to Dream House for help.

Although Marilyn was very ill physically when she arrived at Dream House, the Dream House counselors worked with her to develop a plan for long term self-sufficiency. By the time she had completed her stay at Dream House, Marilyn had found a two-bedroom apartment close to her children's schools and begun receiving long term disability insurance payments while she develops job skills. Though her struggle is not over, she is certain that she will now be able to give her children a better future, and is eager to seek employment after her vocational training is over.