Mercy Neighborhood Ministries Receives $500,000 Grant from the Connelly Foundation
The Connelly Foundation announced its plans to award Mercy Neighborhood Ministries a $500,000 grant to help complete the renovations to its new home—Mercy Family Center.
Philadelphia, PA, September 25, 2008 --(PR.com)-- The Connelly Foundation announced its plans to award Mercy Neighborhood Ministries a five hundred thousand dollar grant to help complete the renovations to its new home—Mercy Family Center.
The gift will come in two parts. The first part will be a grant of three hundred thousand dollars and the second will come as a challenge grant. The Connelly Foundation will match—dollar for dollar—all gifts that Mercy Neighborhood Ministries receives during the next twelve months up to $200,000.
"We are humbled and overwhelmed by the generosity of the Connelly family and the Connelly Foundation. The thoughtful and generous design of this award and pledge will be a benefit to the people of Tioga far beyond the award amount." says Ann Provost, RSM, Executive Director.
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. It will be fully handicapped accessible and the new building will nearly double the current capacity of each program as well as provide an opportunity for additional and expanded programs.
A major highlight of the renovation effort is that the building will be the first renovated “green” building in North Philadelphia. The renovations are utilizing natural lighting, recycling building and construction waste, and are taking advantage of highly efficient HVAC systems. As a green building, Mercy Family Center will provide a healthier work and learning environment and contribute to improved student health, productivity and overall comfort.
Mercy Neighborhood Ministries’ Board Chair, Patricia Smith, RSM, said “We're pleased to report that, with the generosity of the Connelly Foundation, the campaign for Mercy Family Center has raised over $4,000,000 toward our goal of $7,000,000. Please keep a look out for additional good news as we move forward in the campaign!”
More information about the center and the capital campaign is available at http://www.mercyneighbors.org/capitalcampaign.htm. To make a secure gift online 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 The Connelly Foundation
Connelly Foundation seeks to foster learning and to improve the quality of life in the Greater Philadelphia area. The Foundation supports local non-profit organizations in the fields of education, health and human services, arts and culture and civic enterprise.
Ever mindful of the spirit of its founders, John and Josephine Connelly, and inspired by their faith, vision and courage, the Foundation assists members of the community attain more fulfilling and productive lives by providing incentives to learn, encouragement to achieve and reasons to hope.
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The gift will come in two parts. The first part will be a grant of three hundred thousand dollars and the second will come as a challenge grant. The Connelly Foundation will match—dollar for dollar—all gifts that Mercy Neighborhood Ministries receives during the next twelve months up to $200,000.
"We are humbled and overwhelmed by the generosity of the Connelly family and the Connelly Foundation. The thoughtful and generous design of this award and pledge will be a benefit to the people of Tioga far beyond the award amount." says Ann Provost, RSM, Executive Director.
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. It will be fully handicapped accessible and the new building will nearly double the current capacity of each program as well as provide an opportunity for additional and expanded programs.
A major highlight of the renovation effort is that the building will be the first renovated “green” building in North Philadelphia. The renovations are utilizing natural lighting, recycling building and construction waste, and are taking advantage of highly efficient HVAC systems. As a green building, Mercy Family Center will provide a healthier work and learning environment and contribute to improved student health, productivity and overall comfort.
Mercy Neighborhood Ministries’ Board Chair, Patricia Smith, RSM, said “We're pleased to report that, with the generosity of the Connelly Foundation, the campaign for Mercy Family Center has raised over $4,000,000 toward our goal of $7,000,000. Please keep a look out for additional good news as we move forward in the campaign!”
More information about the center and the capital campaign is available at http://www.mercyneighbors.org/capitalcampaign.htm. To make a secure gift online 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 The Connelly Foundation
Connelly Foundation seeks to foster learning and to improve the quality of life in the Greater Philadelphia area. The Foundation supports local non-profit organizations in the fields of education, health and human services, arts and culture and civic enterprise.
Ever mindful of the spirit of its founders, John and Josephine Connelly, and inspired by their faith, vision and courage, the Foundation assists members of the community attain more fulfilling and productive lives by providing incentives to learn, encouragement to achieve and reasons to hope.
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Contact
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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