Mercy Residential Services
198 Oriole Street
Rochester, New York 14613
585-254-2175

Established: 1980

Director: Susan Aiello

Focus: Education, Housing, Social Services

Programs and Services

Wish Book

Who cares? You ask?  
I do.
Me, the courageous one with the fearless enthusiasm.  
A thrill seeker that exhibits originality.
Me, woman, hear me … smile long as a river.  
Unknowingly putting others before self while humbly achieving greatness.
Criticizers only exist because of ignorance from fear, but I continue to pass knowledge finding opportunities in dead-ends … stuck underneath a struggle with no light.
Still searching for a conceivable outlook.
Others will gossip and focus on yesterday, but today is a day for endless possibilities.

Carrie R. – Former Resident

Message from the Executive Director, Susan Aiello

What a wonderful beginning I have experienced with this vital, evolving and responsive ministry! Joy and celebration and, yes heartache too are part of each day as we engage with young women on their road to self-sufficiency. Successes this year have taken many forms – residents moving to their own apartments with full-time employment, meeting the needs of homeless families and team- and skill-building with our staff.

We are in our second year of providing Emergency Shelter to homeless young women and their children. The need for this service in our community is vast. Young families are one of the fastest growing homeless populations in our area. Teen women and their children are displaced from their families without the skills or resources to live independently. This service making a difference. Several emergency shelter residents have moved into our long-term programs.

The staff have been busy on a new marketing campaign with a new brochure and visits to community agencies to talk about our services and programs for young women. Referrals have been steady and from new sources. Our collaborations with the many communities we serve, including the homeless, adolescents and pregnant and parenting teens are strong.

Because of the support of the Sisters of Mercy and each of our staff members, donors and friends, Mercy Residential Services and our residents continue to thrive!

Programs and Services

Programs

The program offers transitional housing, 
life-skills education and a nurturing environment.

A holistic approach is used to empower women to develop healthy relationships and self-sufficiency.

Hundreds of young women, who would have been lost to life on the streets, have become responsible, stable and nurturing parents with jobs and a steady journey toward independence.

Melita House: 
Group-living for young women and their newborn children. Women have private rooms and share responsibility for preparing meals and caring for the community. Women receive 24-hour support before and up to three months after delivery.

Families First: 
Independent community living for mothers under the age of 18 and their children. Families each have a private two-room suite and share a common kitchen and dining area. Families may stay up to two years as they develop skills and prepare for living on their own.

Emergency Housing: 
Temporary shelter arranged by the Department of Social Services for young women and their children. Women have private rooms and share responsibility for preparing meals and caring for the community.

Catherine McAuley Housing: 
Supported two-bedroom apartments in the city of Rochester. Women live independently with the support of the Mercy Residential Services staff on an as-needed basis.

Aftercare: 
On-going support, case management and crisis intervention for former residents of Mercy Residential Services programs.

Services include:

  • Advocacy and case management
  • Individual counseling
  • Group and individual life skills education
  • Mentoring by staff and program participants
  • Recreational Activities
  • Aftercare support

Participant achievements:

Residents develop an individual plan for achievement with the Case Management, Life Sills and Direct Care team. Goal may include:

  • Achieving stable financial support
  • Participating in educational and vocational programs
  • Obtaining appropriate medical care for the entire family
  • Improving problem-solving and life skills
  • Developing parenting skills
  • Enriching relationships with family and other significant people and the community