Mercy House only serves verifiably homeless families with dependent children (under 18) in their custody.
Application Process
1. Applicants must call for a initial application/screening, 540-271-1701
2. You must provide documented 3rd party verification of your homeless status.
3. Interview – Our caseworker will set an appointment to talk about your housing history, current living arrangements,
and assess your needs, goals, and willingness to partner with our program .
Anyone who has lived at Mercy House in the past, must wait at least 6 months from their exit date before re-applying for shelter or housing services.
Employment
Residents who are not working must acquire gainful employment within a period of time established by their case worker in order to remain at Mercy House. Those who are working must look for better paying jobs, strive for a promotion where they are working and/or register for training for a job in local demand so that they will be able to obtain a better paying job in the future.
Savings
Each resident must save half of their income each payday. Families will be required to actively work to repair their credit and may required to begin paying off their debts, especially rental and utility debts as part of their service plan. In addition to saving income and paying off debts, residents must complete and follow a budget developed in cooperation with their caseworker.
Parenting and Family
Parents may be required to attend parenting classes while living at Mercy House. The goal of these classes is to improve the overall well being of both parents and their children. Topics and discussions are parent-driven and based on the residents' immediate parenting needs. Solutions to parenting problems are suggested and the parents return home to try new strategies. These classes are empowering for our residents because they provide each parent with an opportunity to share their successes and strategies with other parents.
Community
Families must attend a monthly community dinner. Dinner is served by local community churches, clubs, families and organizations and the community members sit with the families to eat and converse. The purpose of the monthly community dinner is to give each resident the assurance that the larger community cares about them as individuals.
Housework
Residents must keep their apartment clean, cook their own meals, do their own laundry and contribute to upkeep and cleaning of communal areas at Mercy House.
Childcare
Children are the true victims of homelessness and they get very specialized care at Mercy House. There is a commitment from our to staff to meet the needs of all resident children. Our intake and supportive case management includes:
It is important that children reach and maintain grade-appropriate abilities and are able to earn passing marks in each subject. Mercy House has a tutoring program that provides one-on-one attention for each child. There is a computer lab available for research and educational games. Mercy House also maintains an on-site day care to assist working parents.
Application Process
1. Applicants must call for a initial application/screening, 540-271-1701
2. You must provide documented 3rd party verification of your homeless status.
3. Interview – Our caseworker will set an appointment to talk about your housing history, current living arrangements,
and assess your needs, goals, and willingness to partner with our program .
Anyone who has lived at Mercy House in the past, must wait at least 6 months from their exit date before re-applying for shelter or housing services.
Employment
Residents who are not working must acquire gainful employment within a period of time established by their case worker in order to remain at Mercy House. Those who are working must look for better paying jobs, strive for a promotion where they are working and/or register for training for a job in local demand so that they will be able to obtain a better paying job in the future.
Savings
Each resident must save half of their income each payday. Families will be required to actively work to repair their credit and may required to begin paying off their debts, especially rental and utility debts as part of their service plan. In addition to saving income and paying off debts, residents must complete and follow a budget developed in cooperation with their caseworker.
Parenting and Family
Parents may be required to attend parenting classes while living at Mercy House. The goal of these classes is to improve the overall well being of both parents and their children. Topics and discussions are parent-driven and based on the residents' immediate parenting needs. Solutions to parenting problems are suggested and the parents return home to try new strategies. These classes are empowering for our residents because they provide each parent with an opportunity to share their successes and strategies with other parents.
Community
Families must attend a monthly community dinner. Dinner is served by local community churches, clubs, families and organizations and the community members sit with the families to eat and converse. The purpose of the monthly community dinner is to give each resident the assurance that the larger community cares about them as individuals.
Housework
Residents must keep their apartment clean, cook their own meals, do their own laundry and contribute to upkeep and cleaning of communal areas at Mercy House.
Childcare
Children are the true victims of homelessness and they get very specialized care at Mercy House. There is a commitment from our to staff to meet the needs of all resident children. Our intake and supportive case management includes:
- assessing each child's physical, emotional and neurological condition in order to make a potential referral for specialized supportive services
- gathering immunization records and insuring that immunizations are up-to-date
- gathering school records and securing vital documents
- assisting parents with school enrollments and transportation
It is important that children reach and maintain grade-appropriate abilities and are able to earn passing marks in each subject. Mercy House has a tutoring program that provides one-on-one attention for each child. There is a computer lab available for research and educational games. Mercy House also maintains an on-site day care to assist working parents.
