I have had the opportunity to co-lead a psychoeducational therapeutic group for clients of MERCY Communities for the last four years. This group has introduced a variety of mental health topics to the residents of MERCY Communities residential programs. The topics have included the exploration of healthy relationships, sexuality, boundaries, addictive behavior, goal setting, self-care, self-esteem, parenting, domestic violence, depression and other affective disorders. In addition to providing important information to the clients, these groups have also offered an opportunity for the women to examine their own life situations, share their experiences, and receive support and feedback for their behavior and decision making. The mental health component of the MERCY Communities program is an important addition in providing the kinds of services the clients need as they anticipate becoming self-sufficient by providing stable housing for themselves and their children. I am happy to support the programs provided to the Springfield are by the MERCY Communities Inc, programs. Mary L. Ossowski, LCSW
Over the past two years in my role as the director of a university volunteer center, we have had extensive contact with MERCY Communities on various service projects. Our students have assisted with spring cleaning efforts, painted apartments so families can move in, donated items to the MERCY Furniture Store, provided child care services for families, and assisted with renovations of homes for MERCY clients to include porch repair and painting. MERCY Communities does an amazing job of assisting local women and children, providing real support at a critical time. We have met some of the clients MERCY serves while working on various service projects for the agency, and can truly state that the work they are doing is changing lives and making a difference. One particular client told our students she would not have been able to become employed and become a home owner if it had not been for MERCY.