Mercy Center Annual Report

4
20Years of DETERMINATION.
Mercy Center Celebrates 20 Years of Community and Transformation
Twenty years ago, a small group of determined women reached out to their
neighbors in the Mott Haven section of the South Bronx, an area devastated
by generations of crippling poverty and its attending social ills. There were
few services available, and community members felt isolated, abandoned,
and inclined to just give up.
Fortunately, not everyone gave up. Mercy Center’s founders, pictured below,
began using a classroom as a counseling center for parents. In the years that
followed, Mercy Center grew in response to community needs and has
touched the lives of countless thousands. Our programs give participants a
boost of self-esteem along with practical, real-world skills and opportunities.
Though much has changed in our neighborhood over the past 20 years, much
has remained the same. Though only 10 miles from Wall Street, we still sit in
the country’s poorest congressional district. Area residents face staggering
challenges just to get through each day.
We are honored and humbled to celebrate Mercy Center’s 20th Anniversary
this year. As we celebrate, we renew our commitment to continue our important
work for 20 more years and beyond!