VISION
To empower families to live in dignity and healthy independence.
MISSION
To provide housing and supportive services to foster the independence of homeless women with children and at-risk women with children.
HISTORY
MERCY Communities is a 501(c)(3), not-for-profit organization dedicated to addressing the crisis of family homelessness. We help homeless and at-risk women with children find the resources they need to provide a safe place for themselves and their families.
Since 1999 we have served roughly 1000 individuals (moms and their children). MERCY Communities has grown from providing 10 units of housing in 1999 to 26 units in 2016. In fiscal year 2017, MERCY Communities housed and supported 52 mothers with 101 children.
A young man walked down a deserted beach just before dawn. In the distance he saw a woman picking up stranded starfish and throwing them back into the sea. He gazed in wonder as she stooped again to throw the small starfish from the sand into the water.
“Woman, why do you spend so much energy doing what seems to be a waste of time?” The woman explained that the starfish would die if left in the sand in the morning sun. “But there must be thousands of beaches and millions of starfish on each of them,” exclaimed the young man. “How can you hope to make any difference?”
The woman looked down at the small starfish in her hand. As she gently tossed it into the safety of the sea she said quietly, “I made a difference to this one.”
Board of Directors
BOARD OF DIRECTORS FY 2018
President
Nancy Eckert Martin
Vice Presidents
Jamie Stone
Michael Kos
Treasurer
Danielle Hunt
Secretary
Sr. Marilyn Jean Runkel, OP
Past President
Vickie Evans
Members
Sarah Adcock
Jeff Cox
Robert T. Hall
Pat McGuigan Hubbell
Bethany Hunter
Ryan Levi
Jennifer Grady-Paswater
Tracey Smith, DNP
Dennis Wilkinson
Joan Queen (Honorary Board Member)
Joelle Knoles (Honorary Board Member)
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Item Donations
Donations may be dropped off on TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS from 8 am - 4:30 p.m. Because of our small staff size, please call ahead at 217-753-1358 to make sure someone is here to accept your donation. We appreciate your support!
Wish List:
Monetary contributions
Gift cards (grocery, Walmart, Target)
Large kitchen trash cans
Bathroom towels/wash cloths
Kitchen towel sets
Wall clocks
Silverware
Mops, buckets, brooms & dust pans
Floor & table lamps
Laundry detergent
Dish washing soap
Diapers
Household paper products: Kleenex, toilet paper, paper towels
Cleaning supplies
Shelving (bookshelves, laundry, etc.)
Toddler beds
Crib sheets / twin sheets / full sheets
Blankets / New bed pillows
Mattress covers
We accept these items in almost new or gently used condition:
Kitchen tables and full chair sets
Coffee tables
End tables
Metal bed frames
Kitchen carts/microwave carts
Clothing dressers—large and small
Pots, pans, utensils, dishes
Adult, age appropriate (20-40 y.o.) women's clothing