My story is too long to tell all I got to say is that Mercy house is in Santa Ana the case managers are right it's the management that sucks in his big liars and don't give a f*** about people they discriminated against me ruin my credit I had to disenroll from the program cuz all they were doing was lying to me and it got sickening after a while they won't even contact me now when I want to file a grievance so I'm just going to sue him you guys suck especially suha and Larry pieces of crap
I've read so many positive reviews about Mercy House, but am disappointed that I was ineligible to receive any assistance from this organization. I'm a single mother, of a 4 & 6 year old boy, and due to financial difficulties I ended up homeless on the street with my children. The mercy house manager, and case manager, reported our family to child protective services. They reported, that many clients had mental health and substance abuse issues, and therefore it was not a safe environment for my children and I, even though we had only spent the night with a friend one time. I'm confused as to why I was discriminated and not offered the services that Mercy House claims to represent.
I have been involved with Mercy House since their very inception. Our family foundation gave Mercy House their very first grant. We reveiwed the strategic plan for Mercy House, met with the leadership, and decided to invest. It has been one of the best charitable investments we have ever made, and we have made some great ones! Larry Haynes and Fr. Jerome have been with Mercy House from the beginning. Lisa Mastropietro was there from the beginning and now serves on the board, I believe. Many of the board members have been involved from the beginning. Mercy House is one of the very best and most successful public-private partnerships I have ever seen. If you want to know how to do it right, just visit Mercy House!
I count it as a privilege to provide Mercy House with this letter as support.
As one of the county's strongest homeless advocates, HomeAid has not only been instrumental in building buildings to house its homeless neighbors, but counts it a privilege to have played a part in expanding the capacity of its service provider partners. A sterling example of this synergy has been the partnership of HomeAid Orange County with Mercy House as a united force working together to change lives.
We have seen that each time HomeAid has invested in Mercy House that the organization has grown and has had a greater impact in the community. The vision and purpose of Mercy House is strong and effective and we have been honored to have been a part of the story of Mercy House.
Regina House was HomeAid’s first collaboration with Mercy House. The renovation of two existing homes provided shelter for seven mothers and their children. Dedicated in 1994, Regina House enables families to maintain residency for up to a year while working and pursuing higher education with the ultimate goal to lead independent and self-sufficient lives.
With the mission to be the leader in ending homelessness by providing a unique system of dignified housing alternatives, programs and supportive services, Mercy House researched the need for housing for people living with HIV/AIDS. HomeAid joined with John Laing Homes to build Emmanuel House. The facility was dedicated in 2001 and has the capacity to provide shelter and services for 21 men and women living with HIV/AIDS.
Although a family or individual may, successfully, complete Mercy House’s 6 to 24 month transitional housing program they still may not be able to afford housing in our county. To help graduates maintain housing and promote continued self-sufficiency HomeAid worked with Lennar Homes to build San Miguel Residence. The nine-unit affordable housing facility with ongoing supportive services was dedicated in 2005.
The city of Santa Ana recognized there is still a great need for affordable housing. With Mercy House’s successful 19 year history as a service provider for homeless families and individuals, the city of Santa Ana’s intent is to donate land for the construction of Frances Xavier. HomeAid will again collaborate with Mercy House to build 12 units on a 15,000 square foot lot.
In addition to HomeAid Orange County’s direct involvement in the housing developments above, it has been great to see the growth of Mercy House in numerous other areas to meet the needs of our community. This has been seen with the Mercy House Center -- a walk in center to meet immediate needs, Joseph House for single men, the development of a full continuum of care in the City of Ontario and most recently the successful operation of the Cold Weather Armory Program for the County of Orange with a family redirection program – a first of its kind for Orange County.
In looking back at over 20 years of our partnership, we are pleased in the knowledge that in some measure HomeAid has had a significant role in assisting Mercy House with its efforts to end the cycle of homelessness for those who enter their system of care.
Thank you for giving us that opportunity!
I have been involved with Mercy House for 12 years...first as a volunteer...and the past four years as a member of the board. I volunteer my time, donate money and work to raise funds for Mercy House because I believe in their mission. The leadership and staff members are professional, comapssionate and give 100% of the time and energy to making a difference for homeless indivduals and families. I am truly honered to be associated with Mercy House and I think they a making a wonderful contribution to our communities!
I first became aware of Mercy House about 5 years ago during the holidays. Impressed with the way Ashleigh organized the "Adopt-A-Resident" program and the impact it has, I delved in further and found an organization that was aligned with how I felt about this issue. Passionate, committed employees who are giving it their all to eliminate homelessness and helping those in the transitional living facilities get back on their feet. I'm proud to be a donor and volunteer and encourage others to do so.
In light of today's economic struggles, one may find it difficult to find time or resources to lend a helping hand. I find it quite admirable and heroic that non-profit organizations such as Mercy House give their time, lives and selflessness to a cause so great. When I spoke of people finding it difficult to find time and resources to lend a helping hand, I was describing myself. It may take a special kind of person to inspire one person like myself to volunteer, but it takes a great person to inspire many as does Mercy House. My friend Allison Harvey, the Development Director at Mercy House, is one of those great people. I have "so far" volunteered at two events. I plan on volunteering for many more in the future. This Organization is not only professional, they really do care.
I was recruited by another Board Member several years ago when MH was a single location on Main St. in Santa Ana and not doing well financially. I was thoroughly impressed with it's leadership and plans of getting men off the street and into a shelter. Larry Haynes is a very dedicated individual who actually cared for those he helped in the home. As a Board member we all began to focus our efforts on fund raising as we only had enough funds to last 6 months. Within a short time frame we were able to raise enough to open another house next door for homeless women and children and the word got out that we were a very good and reputable charity worthy of donations throughout the Orange County area. Over time MH has grown to a very large organization helping those in need and I am very proud of having been a part of it during it's early years in Santa Ana.
I was initially recruited by some friends to assist with this charitable org. We provided meals and clothing for a growing and misunderstood epidemic. I was immediately impressed with how efficient the staff was and how they manged each request. After several engagements, I can state that Mercy House is an org that truly cares about its cause and should be considered as a model for other orgs attempting to provide similar professional services.
Mercy House is an outstanding organization. I am truly blessed to have worked with the staff, board and employees, who work with the utmost professionalism and concern, to end homelessness in Orange County. With Father Jerome Karcher and Executive Director Larry Haynes at the helm, it's obvious why they have the success rates that they do. It is my professional and personal opinion that this is the finest homeless aid organization around.
Mercy House is a wonderful organization with extremely dedicated staff. The staff of Mercy House truly has a passion for what they do. I know that Mercy House has changed the lives of many people. I hear the stories of of the residents each year as we visit during the Thanksgiving meal. I am proud to be a Board Member.
mercy house is God given to anyone who is lead to be helped there. within the many times that I've volunteered there, I have seen so many people with a smile on their face and even tears in their eyes. volunteering there is fun as well because you know your helping alot of people with the task they give you to do.
Simply put, Mercy House is the best homeless service nonprofit organization I have ever encountered. I am the former Executive Director of the Orange County Homeless Issues Task Force, so I know what it takes to move beyond managing peoples' homelessness and working to solve it. That's the philosophy at Mercy House and I'm proud to be a long-time supporter and donor.