Thursday, November 20, 2008

The new Blog

Nancy here. I am so excited to officially be blogging! I think it is such a great way to keep in touch ministry friends, supporters, and former residents from all over the world. I love the fact that we can all come on here and encourage one another and read what each other has to say. And for those of you who are supporters, I hope you are blessed getting on here and reading what all the girls have to say –you have made a way for them to have the new life they’re enjoying.

I want to hear from you! Even if it’s just little praise reports because remember when you share these, you’re blessing other people. Also feel free to put up prayer requests so that everyone can be praying for each other as needed.

Friday, November 14, 2008

Good News Magazine Article

Check out the article that was just published in Good News Magazine:

http://www.goodnewsmag.org/magazine/NovemberDecember/nd08mercyministries.htm

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Mercy Ministries Information

For over 25 years, Mercy Ministries has provided hope and healing to generations of desperate young women who are seeking freedom from life-controlling problems such as drug and alcohol addictions, depression, self-harm, unplanned pregnancy, physical and sexual abuse, and eating disorders.

Mercy Ministries is a non-profit residential counseling program that exists to transform the lives of young women between the ages of 13-28 who face life-controlling issues. The Mercy Ministries program is Christ-centered and last approximately six months. The program includes biblically-based counseling and teaching, life-skills training-including nutrition and fitness education, budgeting, and job preparation and transitional care services.


Here is a program overview:

Residential Program

We operate unique residential facilities free of charge designed to address the whole person: spiritual, physical and emotional. Our facilities are located throughout the nation and adhere to our core values of excellence, unconditional love and accountability. Our program is free-of-charge and lasts approximately six months. Services include individualized programs, biblically-based counseling, nutrition education, fitness instruction, life-skills training and educational opportunities. Our goal is to have each young woman not only complete the program, but also discover the purpose for her life and bring value to her community as a productive citizen.

Intake

Young women come to our programs from around the country as well as from other nations. If we cannot accept a young woman into our program, the intake department will refer her to another program equipped to provide her with the help she needs.

Adoption

For young women who are pregnant and choose to place their baby in a loving Christian home, Mercy Ministries of America provides an in-house licensed adoption agency. The birthmothers who choose adoption are taken through post-placement counseling in our post-placement program for an additional six weeks. Parenting classes are also made available for the young women who decide to parent their child. These classes give the mothers practical training and guidance in numerous areas of child development.

Transitional Care

Our program also includes transitional care for each young woman to prepare her for success in society. Transitional care provides extensive life-skills training as well as assistance as needed with housing, transportation, job placement and school application. Our transitional care program also provides opportunities for our graduates to share their stories of transformation with youth groups, school groups, churches, Sunday schools and many others. Mercy graduates carry the message of hope they have learned in Christ while at Mercy Ministries of America.

Resources

We have developed resources that girls can use to find freedom even if they cannot come to Mercy Ministries of America. Books in our "Mercy For..." series deal with issues directly and contain practical, biblical help including testimonies of girls who have found freedom and healing from eating disorders, self-harm, drug and alcohol addictions, sexual abuse, depression, and unplanned pregnancies. We know that we will be able to help many more girls with these books and the ability of our graduates to share their amazing transformation stories.