Family Shelter

Family Shelter

Our families are given the PRIVACY, RESPECT, AND DIGNITY needed to put their lives back together.

Our residents are given the space to be a family, amidst their challenges.

Shelter Programs

Birthday

Our birthday program ensures that children staying here experience joy on their special day. We supply birthday kits to our residents, which include cake, candles, decorations, and presents. This program helps restore a sense of normalcy and dignity, allowing our families to focus on what matters most—celebrating their child and making happy memories together.

Snowflake Wishes

Every year, Mercy House teams up with area businesses and the Harrisonburg Police Department to bring a wonderful Christmas to families in need. Mercy House will assist families that have been through our programs (Shelter, VHSP Prevention, or Re-Housing aftercare programs) within the last year.  We estimate we serve about 100 area families each year. If your group (or family) would like to adopt a Mercy House family, please contact us at 432-1812 and ask for Seli. Due to high demand from the public and our small staff size, we will not be able to provide Christmas for every family that requests help. Families who are not served by Mercy House and receive benefits through DSS may qualify for assistance through their caseworker.  Please contact your caseworker for more information. 

Nutritional Assistance

Mercy House has an on-site pantry that serves families in shelter as well as individuals participating in our other programs. We are one of the only local pantries that offers perishable food items that clients can choose from. Our pantry is stocked by volunteers, the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, and staff. We collect donations from Target and the Friendly City Food Coop. In the past year we have served 152 families and over 400 individuals through our pantry.