On March 31, 2009 I was forced to become more of an adult. Mainly because of a decision that was made by my mother to put me out on the streets, to show me how to be more independent. I was kicked out on that day with my four month old son, Kemar and the baby that was yet to come.
I spent a couple of days in a Brooklyn shelter. This in my opinion was the worst place I have ever been in, very unsanitary. My Sister-in-Law, Jasmine, who was also a resident of Mercy heard about my living conditions and asked me if I would like to stay with her a little while. I then took the opportunity to move to Long Island to stay with her.
Weeks had passed, living with my Sister-in-Law; she had felt extremely bad at the fact that I had to sleep on her couch with my son. So Jasmine felt that things would be better off for me if I called Mercy Residence to see if they could help me with my situation because I couldn’t sleep on the couch with my son for long and my Sister-in-Law’s place was very small for me, my son and her and her three kids to live in.
Ever since then things have been going great for me. I have been at Mercy Residence for a month now and I have to say this is a great place to be. They have helped me in continuing school, apply for summer jobs, lessons on how to become a better parent and independence skills. Mercy has done great things for me!
Maryln
Mercy Residence-2009
I’m at Mercy Residence to better my life for me and my child. The staff here is very helpful to me and my needs. Living here I hope to accomplish all my goals. Living here also helped me become what I want to become in life. When I leave Mercy Residence I hope I can look back and say this was a good experience.
Leticia
Mercy Residence-2009
The reason why I came to Mercy Residence is because I had no where else to go. I called many other places and a kind lady referred me to Mercy. The House Director’s were very caring and they gave me an interview immediately. Since I’ve been here I have been stable. I now have a place to stay that I know me and my unborn child will be provided for. Since I have been here I’ve been able to open up a social service case and get assistance from them. Living here is a good experience for me so far. The program is very well developed so that us teenagers can learn things before we get on our own feet. I enjoy living at Mercy Residence. The staff here are very helpful and they want you to do good. Living a t Mercy will help me accomplish my goals of getting my own place and learning how to provide for myself in the future. I am glad I was placed in this house.
Kiya
Mercy Residence-2009
Mercy Residence is a wonderful place for young teens. Mothers who need help to get back on their feet with their children. What brings me here is the Gatehouse Shelter who told me great stuff about Mercy. They provide child care for your child and they help you to a job to support your family. When I first came here I thought I was lost but now I made great sweet friends (resident’s) they helped me a lot they showed me around the neighborhood and tell me more about Mercy. My son is seven months and he enjoys the house. He loves playing with the staff and resident’s especially the play room. This is my first experience to come to Mercy and I enjoy every moment here. The staff is great, sweet, kind, and respectful to everyone. Some people have their favorites. Right now I’m going back to school and get a job to stack up my $$ and find me a place for me and my son. I’m blessed to live in Mercy because if I was not here I would be living in the streets with my baby. Thank you Mercy!
Sincerely,
Kelly B., age 20
Mercy Residence-2009
I came to Mercy because I had no place to live with my son due to the economy. Mercy has helped me get back into school and has helped me get my son into early intervention. They’ve helped me with basic needs. I am learning the skills to be a better parent and I am happy to be here. {Anonymous age 19}
Before I came to Mercy House, I did not have my best interest at heart. I never cared enough to find a stable place to live, I didn’t get the right amount of pre-natal care, and motherhood was the last thing on my mind.
Mercy House has helped me out so much during my pregnancy. They have taught me to be patient and respectful of others and to strive for the best. I have gained the ability to cook and maintain a clean household, which is something that I will carry with me through the years.
In conclusion, I am very grateful for Mercy House and all they’ve done for me. I appreciate each and every staff member who have all inspired me to do my best in everything.
“Jocelyn Wright”
Before I came to Mercy House, I was young-minded and didn’t have a stable place to stay. I made very bad decisions and didn’t care about anything. But now, because of Mercy House, I have learned many new things. I can take a bus on my own, cook dinner for a large group, and practice independent living skills. I have also learned how important it is for me to finish high school and to go to all of my doctor appointments. I have also made friends at Mercy House who I can rely on and go to for support when I’m feeling alone. Through watching other residents, I have learned the kind of parent I want to be for my child and what kind of routines I want to establish.
While at Mercy House, I hope to finish school and become the best mother I can be. I hope to leave Mercy House with a full-time job so that I can pay for my own apartment.
I have only been a part of Mercy House for a short time, but I thank everyone involved for all of the accomplishments and decisions they have helped me make over the past month. Sandra H.
My life before Mercy House was chaotic. A few years back, I gave birth to a son I named Isiahaa Santana. I was only 15 years old. I had no idea how to raise a child, when I was only a child myself. I was living with my mother at the time, and eventually she gained custody of my son.
I moved out of my mother’s house a short time after my son was born and went to a group home. After 3 weeks there, my grandmother found me a different group home that was located closer to my son; this is where I met my boyfriend.
The years after that continued to be up and down. I moved in and out of various shelters and group homes, and eventually was able to hold down an apartment for 3 years. I worked and regularly attended night school. Then, in the winter of 2007, I gave birth to my second child, Indiya. After Indiya was born, my life took a turn for the worst. My boyfriend lost his job and I had to be the sole provider for my family. I worked over 60 hours a week at a diner, just trying to take care of the bills. But, it became too much for me, and I received eviction papers. We moved from a 2 bedroom apartment in Long Beach to a room in Roosevelt. We struggled a lot, and there were many days where we went without food or diapers for my daughter. I reluctantly had to move back with my mother because life on my own was becoming too much for me. I moved back, and it became worse than when I was on the street. My mother refused to let me leave the house for any reason. There were days where I thought dying was a better way for me than being where I was. When I thought it couldn’t get any more complicated, I found out I was 5 months pregnant with my daughter, Autumn. I moved out, and into another shelter, which ended up being roach and drug infested, and I was forced to move back in with my mother. I had promised myself that this would be my last time there with her. A few months after I gave birth to my daughter, I contacted an agency which referred me to Mercy House. And Mercy House moved me in.
Mercy House has been a positive experience for me, as well as for my daughters. While being here only a few short months, I have set goals that I thought I would never set. Mercy House staff has taught me to follow my dreams and aim big, and that I can accomplish anything if I set my mind to it. I have decided to start community college in the fall and major in criminal justice. And later, hopefully I can attend law school at Hofstra University. I would like to become a district attorney.
Mercy House has been my family when I didn’t have any. They have been my friend when I needed one.
Allyassia R.
Hello, my name is Schirocca and I have been a resident at Mercy Center since November 2008. Since then I have learned so much about setting goals and moving forward in my efforts to obtain them. For example, when I first came to Mercy Center, I was not doing so well with college. Once I realized that I was in a safe and stable environment I was able to focus more on school. I can now say that I am an honor student with a GPA of 3.52. I will be graduating in December with my Associates Degree in Criminal Science and plan to continue my education. Recently I received my security Guard license. I feel so happy and motivated that I have been able to maintain a job throughout my stay. I have been promoted to a specialist at the GAP, and have been able to save a significant amount of money, Mercy Center has also helped me to arrange to get my drivers license. I have completed the necessary courses and driving lessons and my road test is scheduled for August. The staff at Mercy Center have been so supportive and encouraging, and because of them and this program Mercy center has helped me change my life.
Schirocca 18, Mercy Center
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Mercy Center Ministries is certified by NYS Division for Youth and funded in part by
Suffolk County Youth Bureau and Department of Social services
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