A 501(c) (3) Organization Addressing the Crisis of Family Homelessness
M.E.R.C.Y.
Communities, Inc.
108 E. Cook Street
Springfield, IL 62704
Phone: (217) 753-1358
FAX: (217) 753-1360
Programs and Services
Admissions • Aftercare Services • Education • Eligibility • Expectations
Job Training • Overview • Permanent Support Housing • Personal Enhancement
Overview
Homeless, low-income, at-risk families with children are assessed for participation in our programs. Candidates must be willing to take steps toward life transformations through structured, goal-directed programs.
M.E.R.C.Y. Communities transitional living program —
Services include:
- Placement in stable transitional housing (up to two years)
- One-on-one intensive Service Coordination based on an individualized family service plan
- Counseling and mentoring
- Ongoing parenting and life skills classes, including household and money management
- Educational and/or job training and employment programs
- Participation of children in developmentally appropriate activities (daycare, school, other support services)
- On-site child-centered services (respite child care, individual and group sessions using Second Step curriculum designed to prevent violence and build pro-social skills)
- Placement and follow-up in permanent housing upon completion of transitional phase of program
Education
- Parenting and childcare classes
- Budgeting and money management classes
- Cooking and nutrition classes
- Sewing and craft classes
- Self-improvement classes — (decision making, time mangement, communication skills, conflict resolution)
- Tutoring leading to completion of high school education or G.E.D.
- Opportunities to pursue college or vocational training
- Funding to help pay for tuition, books and other educational fees
- On-site computer lab and tutoring
- Health and wellness education/exercise classes/yoga
- Career development -- resume writing, job search, job placement and ongoing support while employed
Personal Enhancement
- Professional counseling services to improve self-esteem and emotional well-being
- Assistance accessing transportation to off-site services, employment, school, daycare providers, shopping and enrichment outings
- Regularly scheduled residential meetings and support groups with other program participants
- Birthday and holiday celebrations allowing for peer activities and the establishment of family traditions
- Weekly case management meetings with Service Coordinator
- Assessment of your children's developmental needs and referrals, if remedial services are needed
- Assistance finding and furnishing permanent housing upon completion of the program
- Help locating appropriate daycare providers for children
- And much more...
Admissions
Families are accepted into the M.E.R.C.Y. Communities programs based on the following criteria:
- Status as a homeless or at-risk female-headed household (over age 18) family
- Willingness to participate in a structured, goal-directed program and capacity to become self-sufficient
- Goals for educational and/or job skills enhancement and the desire to become independent
- Completion of treatment program, if chemically dependent, and willingness to engage in the prescribed aftercare program
- Positive attitudes toward the rules and guidelines of the transitional living program
- Histories of domestic violence, mental illness and/or criminal behavior must be resolved and stabilized
Expectations
Observe rules and guidelines, policies and procedures of the program:
- Be involved in an educational program, job training or work experience
- Meet regularly with M.E.R.C.Y. Communities staff to support and monitor progress and to express needs or concerns
- Keep apartment reasonably neat and clean at all times, and allow for regular apartment checks at a mutually agreed-upon time
- Participate in self-enhancement opportunities and support groups
- Follow through with any counseling or treatment programs initiated prior to admission into M.E.R.C.Y. program
- Be responsible for the safety and behavior of children
Eligibility
You are eligible for M.E.R.C.Y. Communities' Transitional Living Program if you:
- Are homless
- Are at-risk of becoming homeless
- Are at least 18 years of age or emancipated
- Are pregnant, or have one to three children up to age 12
- Have not been convicted of a felony in the past three years
- Have not used drugs or alcohol for the past 6 months
- Are committed to transforming your life within a structured, goal-directed program that involves at least 20 hours of weekly work or school attendance
M.E.R.C.Y. Communities Permanent Supportive Housing Program
Serves families with children (two parent, single male or female-headed families) in which the head of the household has a documented disability.
Services include:
- Placement in stable permanent housing (family may stay indefinitely)
- Service coordination based on individualized family service plans
- Access to all of the supportive services (as above) offered to transitional living participants
Eligibility:
You are eligible for M.E.R.C.Y. Communities' Permanent Supportive Housing Program if you:
- Are homeless
- Are at least 18 years of age
- Have one or more children up to age of 18
- Have a disability (mental illness, substance abuse, physical or developmental), which compromises self-sufficiency without a supportive environment
- Demonstrate a willingness to work and maintain a household to the best of your ability, while accepting case management and other supportive services
- Have completed a treatment program, if chemically dependent, and are willing to engage in the prescribed aftercare program
M.E.R.C.Y. Communities Aftercare Services
In order to sustain the gains made while a participant in the transitional living program, families who move into permanent housing may continue to receive supportive services for up to five years.
M.E.R.C.Y. Communities Training Program
A 16-week job-training program available through M.E.R.C.Y. House Furniture Store.
Some of the moms who come to M.E.R.C.Y. for its programs and services lack basic job skills. Many have developmental delays. Getting her children off to school or daycare and herself on the bus to work can be a challenge for any single mom.
The goals for the job-training program are:
- To increase basic job readiness
- To improve daily work habits
- To improve professional demeanor and appearance
- To increase social and communication skills
- To develop job, academic and on-the-job learned skills related to the retail work environment
Trainees learn such skills as retail sales, facilities maintenance, cash handling, customer service, furniture repair, pick up and delivery services and computer skills.
Shop...donate...or volunteer at M.E.R.C.Y. House Furniture Store
Help to expand opportunities for young moms to gain viable employment skills that will enable them to live and work as productive members of our community.
M.E.R.C.Y. House