“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
-Margaret Mead
The Beginning
In 1988, a group of citizens began talking about the plight of the homeless. We know for certain that there were five people involved in that initial discussion, though two of the names have been lost. The names we do know are those of Roy Early, Judge John Paul and Louise Tate. They took no notes or minutes, having no idea at the time that their discussions would lead to the organization it is today. They met at the Early Photography Studio on Bruce Street and found that their interest was especially centered on homeless families with children. At that time, while families were suffering the trauma of being homeless, they also suffered the pain of separation.
Often, when families encountered impending homelessness, parents sent their children to live with family members that they considered to be more stable until they could get back on their feet. If Social Services found children living in cars, tents, campers or on the street, they placed the children in foster care until their parents had retained jobs and a place to live that was intended for permanent housing.
Chiefly concerned with family unity, the group of citizens felt it was important to empower families with the ability to overcome homelessness together. After several meetings, the group rented a house on Country Club Road and painted and furnished it to house three families. It did not take long before it became apparent that community needs were much larger than three families.
On August 12, 1988, the group became incorporated, wrote bylaws and established Mercy House as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Two years later, Mercy House was awarded a $100,000 grant from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development and bought the properties at 247 North High Street. These two buildings house the administrative offices and 8 apartments.
Acquiring Additional Facilities
In 1993, local resident Frances Phalen Hornsby died and left her home to Mercy House with the stipulation that it be used “to house homeless people.” With funding from the Harrisonburg/Rockingham Housing Authority, the Phalen house was completely refurbished and converted into 4 apartments, a board meeting room and a children's computer lab.
In 2005, the Nicks family donated a double-wide manufactured home to Mercy House which was then moved from their alpaca farm to Grassy Creek. A family of 4 currently lives there. The Logston family also donated the use of a home to Mercy House. They named the home Grace Place. A family of seven currently resides there, but two smaller families could be housed at Grace Place in the future. Mercy House also rents a house and an apartment. Two families live in these units.
Change Over Time
Early in the development of the shelter, families would move in and immediately go to work at one of the poultry plants. They were allowed to stay at Mercy House for two months and were told to save their earnings for rent. At times, Mercy House acted as a revolving door for residents. After their two months were finished, many families moved from Mercy House into Public Housing or Section 8 Housing, but after another two or three months, they moved back into Mercy House.
It became common for families to live at Mercy House four or five times. Over the years, the allotted time for residents has increased. Today, families are allowed to stay up to six months and, when extenuating circumstances arise, longer. By extending the residency allowable time and adding an aftercare program that extends services to families for an additional year, the door has stopped revolving. Most families are able to maintain housing in fair market rate rental properties and thus gain self-sufficiency.
Our Mission
Mercy House continues to serve only families with dependent children and maintain focus on building and strengthening family unity. By teaching families about the importance of living and working together, each individual has the support that enables them to reach his or her highest potential. Our motto is “Changing the world one family at a time.” We see the positive outcomes of change through our residents and we know that our neighborhood is a better, safer and more prosperous community because families have been given a chance to grow and improve their way of life.
In 1988, a group of citizens began talking about the plight of the homeless. We know for certain that there were five people involved in that initial discussion, though two of the names have been lost. The names we do know are those of Roy Early, Judge John Paul and Louise Tate. They took no notes or minutes, having no idea at the time that their discussions would lead to the organization it is today. They met at the Early Photography Studio on Bruce Street and found that their interest was especially centered on homeless families with children. At that time, while families were suffering the trauma of being homeless, they also suffered the pain of separation.
Often, when families encountered impending homelessness, parents sent their children to live with family members that they considered to be more stable until they could get back on their feet. If Social Services found children living in cars, tents, campers or on the street, they placed the children in foster care until their parents had retained jobs and a place to live that was intended for permanent housing.
Chiefly concerned with family unity, the group of citizens felt it was important to empower families with the ability to overcome homelessness together. After several meetings, the group rented a house on Country Club Road and painted and furnished it to house three families. It did not take long before it became apparent that community needs were much larger than three families.
On August 12, 1988, the group became incorporated, wrote bylaws and established Mercy House as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Two years later, Mercy House was awarded a $100,000 grant from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development and bought the properties at 247 North High Street. These two buildings house the administrative offices and 8 apartments.
Acquiring Additional Facilities
In 1993, local resident Frances Phalen Hornsby died and left her home to Mercy House with the stipulation that it be used “to house homeless people.” With funding from the Harrisonburg/Rockingham Housing Authority, the Phalen house was completely refurbished and converted into 4 apartments, a board meeting room and a children's computer lab.
In 2005, the Nicks family donated a double-wide manufactured home to Mercy House which was then moved from their alpaca farm to Grassy Creek. A family of 4 currently lives there. The Logston family also donated the use of a home to Mercy House. They named the home Grace Place. A family of seven currently resides there, but two smaller families could be housed at Grace Place in the future. Mercy House also rents a house and an apartment. Two families live in these units.
Change Over Time
Early in the development of the shelter, families would move in and immediately go to work at one of the poultry plants. They were allowed to stay at Mercy House for two months and were told to save their earnings for rent. At times, Mercy House acted as a revolving door for residents. After their two months were finished, many families moved from Mercy House into Public Housing or Section 8 Housing, but after another two or three months, they moved back into Mercy House.
It became common for families to live at Mercy House four or five times. Over the years, the allotted time for residents has increased. Today, families are allowed to stay up to six months and, when extenuating circumstances arise, longer. By extending the residency allowable time and adding an aftercare program that extends services to families for an additional year, the door has stopped revolving. Most families are able to maintain housing in fair market rate rental properties and thus gain self-sufficiency.
Our Mission
Mercy House continues to serve only families with dependent children and maintain focus on building and strengthening family unity. By teaching families about the importance of living and working together, each individual has the support that enables them to reach his or her highest potential. Our motto is “Changing the world one family at a time.” We see the positive outcomes of change through our residents and we know that our neighborhood is a better, safer and more prosperous community because families have been given a chance to grow and improve their way of life.
