The L. W. Pierce Family Foundation Announces $200,000 Gift to Mercy Neighborhood Ministries
Philadelphia, PA, September 25, 2008 --(PR.com)-- The L.W. Pierce Family Foundation, located in Conshohocken, PA, has announced its plans to award Mercy Neighborhood Ministries a $200,000 grant to support the Adult Day Care Program, which will be expanding once they move into the new Mercy Family Center.
The gift will be paid in four (4) yearly installments of $50,000 starting in 2009, and commencing in 2012.
“We are very happy and impressed with all the good work being done by the staff and volunteers at Mercy Neighborhood Ministries, and we are proud to be partnered with such a fine organization” says Connie Buckley, President and Trustee.
The environmentally friendly Mercy Family Center will provide 35,000 square feet of space and will house all of the Ministry’s programs in one building—childcare, adult daycare, and human development/educational programs. There will be dedicated space for each of the programs, separate entrances for the adult daycare and school-aged childcare programs, as well as administrative space. When completed, Mercy Family Center will be fully handicapped accessible and the new building will more than double the current capacity of the Adult Day Care Program which is on target for licensure next year.
The adult day care program, established in 1970 (near the time when Byberry State Hospital closed), provides companionship and socialization opportunities to people who are mentally, physically, and/or emotionally challenged, many of whom have little or no family support. The program provides a family atmosphere, nutritious meals, recreational, social, and enrichment opportunities, health/wellness activities, and caring companionship.
Marie McGuigan, Director, Adult Programs, reacts to the gift: “I am overwhelmed by the generosity of the Pierce family and the L. W. Pierce Family Foundation to Mercy Neighborhood Ministries' Adult Day Program. The timing could not be more perfect for us as we move toward the opening of Mercy Family Center and the licensure of our Adult Day Program. This program reaches the most vulnerable population which we serve - our special needs adults and the frail elderly. This gift honors these beautiful people who come to us each day in great need but with wonderful gifts to share as well. It lets them know: "You matter. Someone cares about your welfare."”
“The heartfelt joy and excitement with which this grant was presented speaks deeply of the care of this Foundation for the vulnerable and less fortunate of those we serve. The Adult Program has been the most difficult to fund due to space limitations and thus lack of licensure. This grant assures a continuation of services while we transition to our new Mercy Family Center and continue to expand and develop responses to the needs of our special needs adults. Having the L.W. Pierce Foundation join our Circle of Mercy is a blessing for all and will extend far beyong their four year commitment.” said Ann Provost, RSM, Executive Director.
Currently, Mercy Neighborhood Ministries is in a capital campaign with the goal of raising $7 million to complete the renovations to Mercy Family Center. Mercy Family Center is one of 42 building projects in the City of Philadelphia that are following “green” building standards and it is the only one in North Philadelphia that, when completed, will be used by the community. To date, over 85% of the construction waste has been recycled and/or redirected from land fills. More information about the center and the capital campaign is available at http://www.mercyneighbors.org/capitalcampaign.htm. To make a secure gift online to support the programs or help complete the renovations to Mercy Family Center, visit http://www.mercyneighbors.org/donate.htm.
About Mercy Neighborhood Ministries
Mercy Neighborhood Ministries of Philadelphia, Inc. (Mercy Neighborhood Ministries) is a nonprofit organization composed of ministries founded by the Sisters of Mercy from Merion and the Catholic parishes of North Philadelphia. For over 35 years, the Sisters of Mercy have worked in partnership with residents of the Tioga community in North Philadelphia as agents of social change. The relationship was solidified with the founding of Mercy Neighborhood Ministries in 1997 and its incorporation in 2003. This collaborative effort has resulted in quality programming that includes Project Mercy a licensed day care program for school age children, an Adult Day Care a program for the elderly and those with special needs and an Adult Education and Human Development program. The programs are in keeping with Mercy Neighborhood Ministries’ mission to create partnerships and services that respond to the needs of those who are poor in the North Philadelphia community, especially women, children and those with special needs. Consistent with the Gospel values and the vision of Catherine McAuley, the focus of these ministries is to identify needs which are not being met by other groups, to respond to these needs over time, and to fulfill them in a collaborative and empowering way.
For more information on the Mercy Family Center or Mercy Neighborhood Ministries’ programs and services or to schedule a visit, contact Sr. Ann Provost at 215.227.4393 or by email at aprovost@mercyneighbors.org.
About L. W. Pierce Family Foundation
The L. W. Pierce Foundation, located in Conshohocken, was founded in 1989 by the Leo W. Pierce, Sr. and his family.
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The gift will be paid in four (4) yearly installments of $50,000 starting in 2009, and commencing in 2012.
“We are very happy and impressed with all the good work being done by the staff and volunteers at Mercy Neighborhood Ministries, and we are proud to be partnered with such a fine organization” says Connie Buckley, President and Trustee.
The environmentally friendly Mercy Family Center will provide 35,000 square feet of space and will house all of the Ministry’s programs in one building—childcare, adult daycare, and human development/educational programs. There will be dedicated space for each of the programs, separate entrances for the adult daycare and school-aged childcare programs, as well as administrative space. When completed, Mercy Family Center will be fully handicapped accessible and the new building will more than double the current capacity of the Adult Day Care Program which is on target for licensure next year.
The adult day care program, established in 1970 (near the time when Byberry State Hospital closed), provides companionship and socialization opportunities to people who are mentally, physically, and/or emotionally challenged, many of whom have little or no family support. The program provides a family atmosphere, nutritious meals, recreational, social, and enrichment opportunities, health/wellness activities, and caring companionship.
Marie McGuigan, Director, Adult Programs, reacts to the gift: “I am overwhelmed by the generosity of the Pierce family and the L. W. Pierce Family Foundation to Mercy Neighborhood Ministries' Adult Day Program. The timing could not be more perfect for us as we move toward the opening of Mercy Family Center and the licensure of our Adult Day Program. This program reaches the most vulnerable population which we serve - our special needs adults and the frail elderly. This gift honors these beautiful people who come to us each day in great need but with wonderful gifts to share as well. It lets them know: "You matter. Someone cares about your welfare."”
“The heartfelt joy and excitement with which this grant was presented speaks deeply of the care of this Foundation for the vulnerable and less fortunate of those we serve. The Adult Program has been the most difficult to fund due to space limitations and thus lack of licensure. This grant assures a continuation of services while we transition to our new Mercy Family Center and continue to expand and develop responses to the needs of our special needs adults. Having the L.W. Pierce Foundation join our Circle of Mercy is a blessing for all and will extend far beyong their four year commitment.” said Ann Provost, RSM, Executive Director.
Currently, Mercy Neighborhood Ministries is in a capital campaign with the goal of raising $7 million to complete the renovations to Mercy Family Center. Mercy Family Center is one of 42 building projects in the City of Philadelphia that are following “green” building standards and it is the only one in North Philadelphia that, when completed, will be used by the community. To date, over 85% of the construction waste has been recycled and/or redirected from land fills. More information about the center and the capital campaign is available at http://www.mercyneighbors.org/capitalcampaign.htm. To make a secure gift online to support the programs or help complete the renovations to Mercy Family Center, visit http://www.mercyneighbors.org/donate.htm.
About Mercy Neighborhood Ministries
Mercy Neighborhood Ministries of Philadelphia, Inc. (Mercy Neighborhood Ministries) is a nonprofit organization composed of ministries founded by the Sisters of Mercy from Merion and the Catholic parishes of North Philadelphia. For over 35 years, the Sisters of Mercy have worked in partnership with residents of the Tioga community in North Philadelphia as agents of social change. The relationship was solidified with the founding of Mercy Neighborhood Ministries in 1997 and its incorporation in 2003. This collaborative effort has resulted in quality programming that includes Project Mercy a licensed day care program for school age children, an Adult Day Care a program for the elderly and those with special needs and an Adult Education and Human Development program. The programs are in keeping with Mercy Neighborhood Ministries’ mission to create partnerships and services that respond to the needs of those who are poor in the North Philadelphia community, especially women, children and those with special needs. Consistent with the Gospel values and the vision of Catherine McAuley, the focus of these ministries is to identify needs which are not being met by other groups, to respond to these needs over time, and to fulfill them in a collaborative and empowering way.
For more information on the Mercy Family Center or Mercy Neighborhood Ministries’ programs and services or to schedule a visit, contact Sr. Ann Provost at 215.227.4393 or by email at aprovost@mercyneighbors.org.
About L. W. Pierce Family Foundation
The L. W. Pierce Foundation, located in Conshohocken, was founded in 1989 by the Leo W. Pierce, Sr. and his family.
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Mercy Neighborhood Ministries
Sr. Ann Provost
215.227.4393
www.mercyneighbors.org
Sr. Ann Provost
215.227.4393
www.mercyneighbors.org
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