Mercy Ministries is a faith based not for profit organization that serves young women with life controlling issues. Established in 1983 by Nancy Alcorn, they have helped over 3000 residents overcome debilitating problems such as eating disorders, self-harm, drug and alcohol addiction, depression and unplanned pregnancy, physical and sexual abuse including those who are victims of sex-trafficking. It is “Mercy’s goal…to help these young women find freedom from their issues and empower them to serve in their communities as productive citizens (About Us).” Mercy Ministries is a 501(c)(3) public charity that receives 59% of its funding from individuals’ donations. It is governed by a Board of Trustees, with Nancy Alcorn, the founder of the ministry,
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Each application is evaluated individually by an intake department. Entry to the program depends on many variables including, space availability, age, demonstrated commitment and medical stability, since the residences are not medical facilities. If for some reason an applicant is denied admission they are given referrals to other programs that will better serve their needs. Once a girl is accepted she is placed in one of the 4 homes within the United States depending on the specific needs of the new resident. These homes are located in Monroe, Louisiana; Nashville, Tennessee; St. Louis, Missouri; and Sacramento, California. “Each home follows the guiding principles of unconditional love, accountability, and excellence …show more content…
Girls participate in life skills training (cooking, cleaning, managing a home environment); classroom teachings in forgiveness, anger management, and other global principles; Bible classes; financial management (Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace Program); and a nutrition and fitness education (each young lady received a specific food and fitness development plan). The main goal of counselors in all the facilities is to “Equip residents with life skills and ability to permanently avoid destructive behavior,” and identify short and long-term goals. As Gavin Leonard says in “Rethinking Volunteerism in Amercia,” “Solidarity…is about working with that somebody to identify what it is that the people who are being helped need and want along with how they want to get it (679).” It is up to the young women do identify the root of their problems and allow the counselors to help them navigate their way through their issues. When it comes time to graduate the ladies enter the transitional component of the program where they plan for work, education, training, and transportation after graduation. They also identify an accountability partner in their hometown that they commit to meet with on a regular basis because as Andrea Ayvazian says in “Interrupting the Cycle of Oppression,” “Allies need allies (678).” Mercy claims, “Approximately 75% of young women who enter our program graduate ready to act as a
Each application is evaluated individually by an intake department. Entry to the program depends on many variables including, space availability, age, demonstrated commitment and medical stability, since the residences are not medical facilities. If for some reason an applicant is denied admission they are given referrals to other programs that will better serve their needs. Once a girl is accepted she is placed in one of the 4 homes within the United States depending on the specific needs of the new resident. These homes are located in Monroe, Louisiana; Nashville, Tennessee; St. Louis, Missouri; and Sacramento, California. “Each home follows the guiding principles of unconditional love, accountability, and excellence …show more content…
Girls participate in life skills training (cooking, cleaning, managing a home environment); classroom teachings in forgiveness, anger management, and other global principles; Bible classes; financial management (Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace Program); and a nutrition and fitness education (each young lady received a specific food and fitness development plan). The main goal of counselors in all the facilities is to “Equip residents with life skills and ability to permanently avoid destructive behavior,” and identify short and long-term goals. As Gavin Leonard says in “Rethinking Volunteerism in Amercia,” “Solidarity…is about working with that somebody to identify what it is that the people who are being helped need and want along with how they want to get it (679).” It is up to the young women do identify the root of their problems and allow the counselors to help them navigate their way through their issues. When it comes time to graduate the ladies enter the transitional component of the program where they plan for work, education, training, and transportation after graduation. They also identify an accountability partner in their hometown that they commit to meet with on a regular basis because as Andrea Ayvazian says in “Interrupting the Cycle of Oppression,” “Allies need allies (678).” Mercy claims, “Approximately 75% of young women who enter our program graduate ready to act as a