When the Student Becomes the Teacher... PHOTOS

MERCY HAVEN’S PROGRAM CREATES A BREAKTHROUGH FOR MORE THAN JUST THE HOMELESS PARTICIPANTS 

NEWS: Patchogue, NY, April 2008 – Mercy Unto Thousands, a community-based outreach and educational program provided by Mercy Haven, Inc., successfully completed the second of its Breakthrough sessions in Patchogue, NY. The program focuses on providing tools of empowerment for the homeless, one community at a time.

DESCRIPTION:

 

On the evening of April 1st, 2008, Mercy Haven, Inc., celebrated the graduation of eight dedicated participants from its Mercy Unto Thousands Breakthrough Program for individuals of the Patchogue area who are currently, or have experienced homelessness. The group, ranging in age from mid-20s to 60-years-old and consisting of both men and women from the community, were honored at the Knights of Columbus Hall for their successful completion of the 24-week program. Joseph, an accomplished professional, volunteer mentor and guest speaker, noted during the ceremony that much to his surprise he was mentored by his homeless participant, who lives in the woods, in what are true important realities of life:

“Normally I would consider the leak in my bathroom a big problem, a real crisis or tragedy, but because of my experience with this program I was able to look at this in a totally different light. We often confuse an inconvenience with a real life problem. Because of the change I now see in myself I am forced to ask myself who was is the real mentor, Max or I? As I reflect of the experience I realize that we were actually mentoring each other.”

 

It was a touching scene as the graduates were called up one by one to receive a personalized framed certificate. The graduates offered words of gratitude to the volunteers and program mentors for the hard work, dedication and support.

 After the graduation ceremony, the nearly 50 persons in attendance enjoyed a delicious meal cooked by volunteers from the Knights of Columbus. The eight participants were clearly empowered by the program as they openly shared their future goals which include obtaining employment, housing, and, for some, even enrolling in school. Three of the graduates were thrilled to receive donated bicycles, helping ease the burden of transportation. While the road ahead of each participant is long, the journey has begun in a bright and positive direction, thanks to the efforts of so many. There is light at the end of the tunnel.

Currently in the works is the securing of time, space and volunteers for the next sessions to take place in Bay Shore, beginning in the summer. If you are interested in organizing meals, mentoring, donating bicycles or your time in some way, please call the Mercy Haven main office at (631) 277-8300.  

Mercy Unto Thousands encourages learning and self-discovery for 12 individuals from one community at a time. Each session of begins with a healthy, hot meal prepared and coordinated by volunteers within the community. An exciting element of Mercy Unto Thousand’s 24 week program is Breakthrough, a profound journey of self-empowerment. The Breakthrough sessions are unique because the 12 participants are individually teamed up with a mentor (from the community) one night a week for 7 sessions. These sessions will provide a great deal of basic skill building and help to create obtainable goals for the participants. Each mentor is trained by Mercy Unto Thousand’s organizer S. Kathy Nolan, co-founder of Mercy Haven, Inc.

During the summer of 2007, The Mercy Unto Thousands program was introduced with much success in Sayville, NY, with the first group consisting of 11 men and women. The Sayville group still meets on a monthly basis to discuss their goals and accomplishments, as will the newly graduated participants of Mercy Unto Thousands in Patchogue.

 


-For further information, please contact Victoria: vmantia@mercyhaven.org
-Photos available
Mercy Haven's mission is to engage and support Long Island's most at-risk residents.
Through advocacy, housing, supportive services, education and outreach
we offer the community a place to experience and practice compassion.
...Where experience and creative solutions come together to open the door of possibility for those most in need
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