History

Mercy Center for Women (MCW) was founded by the Sisters of Mercy in January 1994 to provide transitional housing and support services (up to 1 year) to homeless women with or without children.

MCW was founded by combining the services of two agencies, Hope House, a transitional housing facility for women and children, and Grass Roots Opportunities for Women, an advocacy center. MCW is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

• Provide transitional housing for homeless women and their children
• Provide an environment that is conducive to healing, recovery, and growth
• Provide support and opportunities for women, including our residents and those from the community
• Network with other agencies and programs to better serve the needs of women
• Cultivate leadership among women to benefit them

Mercy Center's transitional supportive housing program is located in a former convent built in 1960, that has 16 bedrooms and can accommodate up to 32 residents at any given time.

The facility is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is in a residential area close to shopping and public transportation. The facility includes an education room, living room, laundry facilities, kitchen and dining areas and a large, fenced-in back yard. MCW residents have a private bedroom that they share with their children.

Residents take an active part in the maintenance and day-to-day operation of the house and are expected to complete daily chores and care for their bedroom and their family’s laundry. Residents prepare evening meals on a rotating basis. Attendance at house meetings, where staff and residents exchange ideas about house activities, is mandatory.

A Growing Campus

What began as a vision to extend support beyond transitional housing is now a growing reality. The Mercy Anchor Community Center (MACC), opened in 2023 in the former Holy Rosary School, offers 13 two-bedroom apartments for individuals and families, along with on-site services and community resources—all in one safe, affordable space.

This expansion continued with Brandy’s Corner in Fall 2025, providing additional transitional housing for women and children, and our newest project, MACC West, which will further increase access to stable permanent supportive housing and wraparound services in 2027/28.

Together, these programs allow the Mercy Center to support more individuals and families on their journey from homelessness to independence, while strengthening the surrounding community.