About us

Mary Ellen Griffin, Executive Director of The Caring Place Inc. Photo by Mckinney Media.

Mary Griffin, Executive Director, founded The Caring Place in June 1996 after seeing firsthand the unmet needs of troubled children and teenagers. She was compelled to create a child-centered organization, a place where she could carry out God’s call to “take care of my kids.”  Griffin started The Caring Place with only her personal savings for funding and her faith in God.  Mary Griffin opened The Caring Place to show young people they are loved and provide them an opportunity for a better future.  Since 2004, it has secured its current Hamilton street location and grown from its twelve initial youth participants to serve more than 500 young people per year.