October 7, 2008

Guests: Tara Connolly, Executive Director for Development of the Mercy Foundation and Todd Beveridge, Director of the House of Mercy
Featured Saint of the Day: Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary
Congratulations to Today's Winner of "The Pirates who Don't Do Anything, A Veggie Tale Movie": Theresa Dowd

Today Deacon Rick and Jenny spoke with Tara Connolly, the Executive Director for Development of the Mercy Foundation and Todd Beveridge, the Director of the House of Mercy. Todd shared with us about the services the House of Mercy offers and Tara focused on how the needs of the Mercy Foundation and the House of Mercy can be met.

The House of Mercy is an organization dedicated to assisting pregnant, parenting/non-parenting and adolescent/adult women in developing personal responsibility and independence through counseling, education and medical care in collaboration with other caring individuals. Its goal is to give these women the opportunity ot turn their lives around and become self-sufficient.

When speaking about the House of Mercy, Todd told us that it has eleven programs that it coordinates. To name some of them: they offer transitional housing for up to two years for women who want to be on the road to recovery. They have an on-site day care, medical and dental clinics, they have a homeless outreach as well as a drug rehab program, as well as other programs.

The House of Mercy came to Des Moines in the mid-80's when there was a significant rise of women seeking rehabilitation from drug addictions. At that time the area where the House of Mercy settled had one of the highest infant mortality rates in the nation. Bishop Drumm had left its building and it had been standing vacant for a while. The Sisters of Mercy in Des Moines wanted to reach down into their roots and use the Bishop Drumm building for something useful. Their founder, in Ireland, came into some money and used it to start the first House of Mercy in Dublin. Using this as their model the sisters began the House of Mercy in Des Moines.

Todd spoke about the joy it has been for him to watch people change and find support in the community and also to see the childrenof these women take pride in their mother's progress. He affirmed that there is hope for people with drug dependency. They can turn their lives around and discover themselves again.

The House of Mercy helps women get their GED and into secondary education. They work with the women to give them the skills they need to find employment, which can be hard when they've run into legal toruble as well. They also develop skills to deal with life in the absence of drugs.

Tara spoke of the Mercy Foundation, which is the fundraising arm of all of Mercy's endeavors. The Mercy Foundation is always in need of monetary contributions as well as contributions of time from those willing to volunteer.

For example the Mercy Foundation is always in need of diapers, and baby wipes. As it gets colder they will also be in need of boots, gloves and jackets. The House of Mercy's bill for food alone this year is around $300,000, not to meantion utilities etc. Any little bit counts and can go a long way. They can also use volunteers. The House of Mercy welcomes all volunteers especially small groups of people who come for a few hours or so to help with painting, grounds maintenance and other necessities.

Tara menioned that there will be a fundraiser in April named "Helping Lives Bloom" and they are always looking for sponsors and attendees. This event includes dinner, entertainment, as well as silent and live auctions.

To Contact the Mercy Foundation call: 515-643-8027
Or you can go to their website: www.mercydesmoines.org/foundation