A dream of Sister M. Jean Foppe, Sister of the Sisters of Mercy, the dream became a reality in 1992, thanks to the leadership of Church Women United.
Hudson-Banner says the women are provided with a structured program and hope. “The residents participate in developmental programming, which will enable them to help them become self-sufficient through personal growth, education, skill development and/or employment,” she says. “The length of stay is determined by the resident’s needs, progress, and willingness to abide by the recovery house rules.”
Hudson-Banner says the social model approach emphasizes interaction among residents in a shared living space and the surrounding community. Since the program’s beginning in 1992, more than 300 women have been served. According to Hudson-Banner 70 percent of these women have established safe housing, remained clean and sober, and are employed or enrolled in a secondary institution or a training program.
Most recent partnership programming includes: Edgemont Community Solar Garden. “Each lady has her own garden area, for growing vegetables,” explains Hudson-Banner. “Central State University provides agriculture and nutritional classes. Montgomery County Urban Minority Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Outreach Programs offer Relapse Preventions Groups. "
Pandemic presents added challenges
The COVID-19 pandemic presented a unique challenge to an organization that prioritizes peer interaction, peer support and participation in 12-step programs. “We had to function with essential virus mitigation standards that mandated awareness, such as adhering to social distancing, limited attendance in public places, and wearing masks,” says Hudson-Banner. “Health and safety have required Mercy Manor to move forward with virus mitigation procedures the best way we could to concurrently maintain a strong social model environment.”
She says there was also a substantial challenge with the inability to have the organization’s annual fundraiser since 2019. “However, in 2023, we will have our first in-person Founder’s Day Luncheon.”
Mercy Manor is a service provider for the Montgomery County Alcohol, Drug & Mental Health Services (ADAMHS Board). And a Certified Associate Member of the Ohio Recovery Housing with the State.
Here’s what they need:
- Tall kitchen trash bags
- Paper products such as toilet tissue, paper towels, napkins, facial tissues
- Liquid hand soap, liquid dish detergent, automatic dishwasher detergent
- Furniture polish
- Laundry detergent
- Lysol, Pine-Sol or equivalent
- Window cleaner, Comet, Soft Scrub
- Personal hygiene products: soap, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, body lotion, Vaseline, toothpaste, toothbrushes, hair spray.
- Alarm clocks, clock radios, umbrellas, postage stamps for personal correspondence, batteries of all sizes for personal CD players or cameras or radios, etc.
Women going to Independent Living Apartments need:
- Floor and table lamps, light bulbs, mops, brooms, scrub buckets, trash cans for kitchen or bathroom
- Rugs for kitchen or bathroom, bathmats, shower curtains
- Coffee makers, toaster ovens, pots, pans, dishes, glasses, flatware, televisions, DVD players, etc.
- Kroger, Walmart Gift Cards for food for new residents
Drop off your donations at 23 Grosvenor Ave., Dayton, Ohio 45417. You’re asked to call ahead to schedule a drop-off time. The number to call is 937-268-0282.
Other ways to help:
- Annual Founder’s Day Luncheon celebrating 31 years of service, will be held at noon on Saturday, March 18, at the Presidential Banquet Center. Check the website for more information.
- An annual Charity Golf Tournament is scheduled for 9 a.m. Friday, July 28 at Meadowbrook Golf Club, 6001 Salem Ave., Clayton. The golf fee is $100 per person and sponsorships are available. Check the website for more information.
- Speakers are available for group presentations or additional information. Call Barbara Hudson-Banner at 937-268-0282 or 937-554-2239.
Website: Mercy Manor|homelesswomen|addiction|abuse.
Help Hannah’s Treasure Chest make Christmas special for over 1,000 children
Hannah’s Treasure Chest, the children’s charity based in Centerville, has a Christmas program called “Giving Angels “to help local children in need. This year, the organization is helping more than 1,000 children with new toys and clothing for Christmas, along with a family gift and a gift card for Christmas dinner.
The Giving Angels team will work until Christmas Eve to ensure that every child and family receives something special for Christmas – if you would like to contribute financially, please visit https://www.hannahstreasure.org/donations/donate-now/ or mail to 124 Westpark Rd. Centerville OH 45459. The Centerville warehouse will be closed for the holidays and its annual audit and reopen on Jan. 17.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Meredith Moss writes about Dayton-area nonprofit organizations and their specific needs. If your group has a wish list it would like to share with our readers, contact Meredith: meredith.moss@coxinc.com.
Please include a daytime phone number and a photo that reflects your group’s mission.
Credit: Contributed
Credit: Contributed
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