I sit on the board of The House of Mercy.
It’s a homeless shelter in #Roc NY.
The House of Mercy is run by a nun Sister Grace Miller.
She is assisted by another nun, Sister Rita and several staff people.
The staff people I know the best are CW, Kelly and Pam.

What drew me to The House of Mercy is that they do not turn anyone away.
No one.
You may think “Of course, they don’t turn anyone away - they’re a homeless shelter.”
Let me educate you.
Many homeless shelters receive gov’t funds.

Some homeless ppl are “sanctioned” which means that if they try to stay at a shelter, the county will not reimburse the shelter for their stay - because they are drug users, or have been violent.
The House of Mercy takes everyone - even those who have been “sanctioned.”

Sister Grace got started operating a homeless shelter when one winter night she came across some men trying to sleep in the snow. She picked them up in her little car & drove them from shelter, to shelter.
No shelter had room for them.

She refused to give up - finally forcing a shelter to make room for these men.
She told her order about what had happened, and they gave her a small grant to open a “House of Mercy.” She purchased a house on Central Ave. followed by a House on Hudson Ave. in the City of Rochester

When she was on Hudson Ave - the City gave her a hard time. She had too many people.
The house was a fire hazard.
She refused to turn anyone away - but agreed, the homeless needed something more.
By this time, she was also cooking meals.
Giving people clothing.
Serving the poor.

Sister Rita, a novice came to join her for a year.
After her year was up - Sister Rita’s order wanted her to leave the House of Mercy.
Sister Rita refused to leave the homeless.
God had spoken to her, and told her she was where she was meant to be.
The order de-frocked her.

Over the past few years, Sister Grace, Sister Rita, CW, Kelly & Pam met with the City to provide a better shelter.
They got donations & were able to rehab a building on Ormond Street to provide 50 beds, hot meals, laundry, advocacy & social services. They work hard.
Every day.

Sister Rita’s order admitted they were wrong to defrock her - and allowed her to recommit to her vows.
CW is in a wheelchair - but meets with new residents seamlessly & integrates them into the House of Mercy community.

Pam works with the poor & helps them navigate the system through social services. She helps people find apartments, support, food and anything they need to have a place to live and thrive.

Kelly helps to coordinate the business portion. He writes grants. Coordinates volunteers. Oversees the operations of the shelter. Makes sure the day-to day operations are done.

These are spiritual people.

As a nation - no one should need a warm/safe place to lay their head - but they do.
Until we figure this out - we need saints on Earth like Sister Grace, Sister Rita, CW, Pam and Kelly.
Please donate to the House of Mercy.

https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E340993&id=1