The Story of Liza’s Place, by Marilyn Vyzourek

A group of committed individuals and Marilyn gathered in the fall of 2002
to form a home for women in Colorado Springs, who had recently
been released from incarceration, or were homeless and had no
safe place to go. Liza’s Place operates as a transitional housing
facility that has the ability to serve 20 women.

This mission was
inspired by the life and death of Liza Chavez, a woman I had
ministered to and helped. Liza was 39 years old and suffered
from alcoholism. She had few support systems in her life. After
serving time in jail for several non-violent crimes, she found
herself living in parks and under bridges in Colorado Springs.
Although Liza had an uphill battle to create a stable
existence for herself, she was anxious to turn her life around.
Unfortunately her dream would never become a reality.

On September 10, 2001 Liza was murdered
on the streets of Colorado Springs.
The night before Liza was killed she called
Marilyn and told her,
"If you don't have a women's home for me to go to and
get off of these streets, I would just a soon go to be with Jesus."
Liza’s Place was formed in response
to the common mission that a safe, supportive home would
be available for women like Liza Chavez.