A Publication of Mercy Housing and Shelter

Spring 2015

One late, late night, in this most bitter of winters, Luis Amaro’s cell phone rang. Beyond the hesitant voice on the other end, he could hear rain pounding on what he rapidly realized were car windows, and children’s voices speaking softly in the background. As he talked, it dawned on him that he was talking to a family freezing in a car, hoping for a few warm beds and a respite from their troubles.

Amaro, a case manager at Mercy Housing, gave it to them.

The word has been out on the street for years: for those in need of a haven, after they have lost their jobs or their businesses and eventually their homes, after their time at shelters have run out, they hear “Call Mercy.”

That’s what Matt, a soft-spoken, articulate former crack cocaine addict, heard when he lost his housing and boarded a bus with everything he owned, unsure of where to go. He ran into an old friend. ‘Call Mercy,’ she said.

Now he spends his days working as a certified addiction counselor, helping individuals who were once like him emerge from the fog of addiction. He stands up stick-straight, greets all who come his way kindly, and smiles the smile of a man who has arrived after a long journey.

“I don’t know how in the world I would have made it without Mercy,” he said. His voice breaks, his face reddens, tears fill his eyes. “I love my apartment. It’s absolutely beautiful to me, and without Mercy I would never have been able to afford it.”

Over the years, Mercy has helped hundreds, possibly thousands, of homeless individuals find their way home. Managing 124 units of housing in three counties, Mercy case managers advocate for their clients, helping with parenting skills and navigating relationships with the state Department of Children and Families, getting help for the mentally ill, and much more.

One grandmother, May, from Middletown, has been a client of Mercy’s for more than 15 years. Years ago, May had been diagnosed with HIV at the same time she was trying to raise four of her grandchildren on her own. When a case manager at the Community Health Center heard May’s story, she said, “Call Mercy.”

Last July Fourth weekend, May moved into a larger home to accommodate the six grandchildren she now cares for. She has fought to survive for those children through alcoholism, HIV, emphysema, a chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder that forces up a deep-throated wet cough from her lips, and a

massive heart attack. Alarmingly thin, her legs the width of broomsticks, she says she is grateful to be alive and keeping her grandchildren safe. “I believe to this day that God is not going to take me until I have a plan set up for these kids,” she says. “I can’t leave these kids.”

Each client speaks reverently of Yolanda, who is Yolanda Potter, the program manager for Supportive Housing Services for Mercy. Yolanda and her case managers are the jewels of Mercy, the individuals who in a matter of hours can find housing and other necessities for those in need, then teach those individuals how to successfully live in that housing. Yolanda doesn’t need to motivate an already inspired staff, yet she will say, ‘lunch is on me if you find this client housing.” Then she watches her staff hit the streets, determined and surprisingly, despite high demand and limited resources, achieving an absurdly high success rate – and lunch.

Says Amaro, “When we get them housed, and see the smiles on their faces, the change in their step, well, I know that’s why I do it.”

Matt knows what that feels like, to step off the streets and into a place he could call his own. Gratitude lights his face as he thinks back to his long journey home. “I’m so grateful to Mercy,” Matt says. “They saved my life.”

A Plea for Help, Then Mercy

“ I don’t know how in the world I would have made it without Mercy”

Written By Jane Gordon Julien

Jane Gordon Julien is an award-winning storyteller, speechwriter,

speaking and writing coach, and creator of print and digital content.

She has been a writer for the New York Times for the past 14 years.

Moved by the work of Mercy Housing and Shelter, Jane offered to use

her gift of storytelling to interview Mercy Clients for this story.

With YOUR help, Mercy

moved 205 individuals and

families into permanent

housing, last year.

For Information about Mercy Contact the Development Office at: (860) 808-2036 www.mercyhousingct.org

Board of Trustees Dennis Gilligan, Chair

Brian Rich, Vice Chair

Gene Arnold

Oscar Cabel

Steven Cote

Thomas Daily

Melissa Gran

Denise Hallisey

Claudette Labbe

Patricia McKinley

Ira Mozille

Austin Perkins

Robyn Peters

Shyamala Raman

Luana Ribeiro

Kellyanna Thompson

Cathleen Voelker

Dave Martineau, Executive Director

Working, Towards a Greater Goal

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When Bob moved into the Transitional Living Program at St. Elizabeth House in 2012 he had a

part time seasonal job. He knew he needed a better job, and fulltime, in order to obtain

permanent housing.

His case manager encouraged him to meet with Priscilla Brown, Mercy’s Job Developer in the

Jumpstart to Jobs Program. Priscilla met with Bob privately to discuss his current employment

and his work experience. With Priscilla’s help, they created a new resume and began the

process of applying for jobs and preparing for interviews. As she does with every client,

Priscilla practiced interviewing with him, gently giving him suggestions. She also presented

possible scenarios, and encouraged him to continue to practice. “Bob was very dependable

and always followed through on practicing and going to interviews.”

Not long after he started working with Priscilla, he was hired by a local gym in the

Maintenance Department. Then, in 2013 he was hired by a local school system as a part-time

Transportation Counselor. Shortly after taking this second job, Bob moved out on his own.

Today, Bob still works at the local gym in addition to his job with the school system. He

recently paid a visit to Priscilla Brown in our Jumpstart Program to show off his award.

Mercy was there when Bob needed a place to stay and the encouragement and assistance to

get a better job.

Bob, a former Transitional Living Resident

at St. Elizabeth House, was recently

recognized by his employer.

With YOUR help, Mercy’s Jumpstart to

Jobs Program assisted 49 Individuals

with obtaining a job or a better job last

year.

To bring an end to homelessness.

Join Mercy. Work with Mercy. Volunteer with Mercy. Invest in

Mercy. So that everyone can have Mercy when they need it most.

Your investment in our work, with your time and financial

resources, demonstrates the confidence you have in Mercy

Housing and Shelter. Our work will continue, until everyone has a

place to call home. Let’s bring them home! Together, we can end

homelessness.

When you give a gift to Mercy Housing and Shelter In Memory or in

Honor of a loved one, you give a gift to someone that will bring hope

and a chance at a new life.

Each Tribute Gift received is acknowledged with a special note to the

individual or family you are remembering or honoring.