Our Approach
Holistic Support for Lasting Change
We believe in community first. We assist our neighbors in need, helping them achieve their desired path to success. We work to address the root causes of poverty and create systemic change by providing basic and emergency resources, education, job assistance, and health services. Our holistic, case-management approach addresses the core aspects of a successful life and provides opportunities for generations of families to build sustainable skills and overcome barriers. It is our calling to be a part of collaborative solutions so that everyone in our community can thrive.
Building Equitable Communities
We know that communities are the best agents of their own change. Direct ties and trust within the communities we serve enable us to keep a pulse, in real-time, on the barriers and needs of our neighbors.
In addition to regular program assessments administered to each client served, we:
- Evaluate their experience and suggest ways to further improve services provided to the community
- Frequently engage the practice of active listening from clients, volunteers, and community members through our “community and conversations” public forums. These forums allow open discussion and ensure we remain accessible to the community and responsive to current needs in a timely manner.
This feedback allows us to further fill the gap to best meet current community needs while working towards overcoming barriers of systemic poverty and charting personalized paths to self-sufficiency throughout the community.
For over 30 years, Our Lady of Mercy Community Outreach Services has worked at both ends of the poverty spectrum – breaking cycles of poverty with individuals and families and alleviating the effects of poverty experienced by those on fixed incomes. Our mission is to build equitable communities and empower community members to reach their full potential by providing basic and emergency needs, education, employment and health services. Our holistic, case-management approach addresses the core aspects of a successful life and provides opportunities for generations of families to build sustainable skills to overcome current conditions. Those in need work with our in-house social workers to determine the root cause of the needs they face, set goals and develop an action plan for progress. This integrated approach enables us to wrap multiple services around neighbors and where we can’t, we work with community organizations to provide needed services.