Our Mission

Mission Statement

"The Dorothy Bennett Mercy Center offers programs that empower families in this urban community to overcome negative influences that impact their well being and self sufficiency. "

The Dorothy Bennett Mercy Center, founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1995 to provide an after school program for the children of neighborhood immigrants, offers continually evolving programs to meet the needs of families in the Fort Greene and Bedford Stuyvesant community. These programs address concerns that impact negatively on urban dwellers: violence, drugs, unemployment, discrimination, illiteracy, and lack of affordable housing.

 

Vision

We believe that:

• Parents are child's primary teachers.

• Parents and teachers benefit from the caring support of an extended family, including role models and mentors with access to educational resources and social services.

• Self-respect is crucial for one's social, spiritual, and emotional development.

• Communication skills increase self-esteem and independence.

• Programs geared to serve immigrant families require continuous restructuring to meet changing needs and opportunities.

• Program providers are instrumental in establishing the values of cooperation and encouragement on which all learning depends.

Nuestra Misión

"El Dorothy Bennett Mercy Center ofrece programas que proveen a familias en esta comunidad urbana a superar las influencias negativas que impactan su bienestar y autosuficiencia."

El "Dorothy Bennett Mercy Center", fue fundado por las Hermans de la Caridad "Sisters of Mercy" en 1995 con el propósito inicial de proporcionar asisstencia a los niños de nuevos inmigrantes, nuestros programas continuamuente evolucionan basdo a las necesidades de las familias del area de Fort Greene y Bedford Stuyvesant . Estos programas enfocan las partes negativas que impactan la comunidad en forma negativa, como son la violencia familiar, drogas, desempleo, segregacion, asistencia con arrentamientos.

 

Visión

Nosotros creemos que:

• Padres son los guías principales para sus hijos.

• Padres y profesores son beneficiados con la ayuda adicional de familiares y grupos de soporte comunitarios.

• Respeto a uno mismo es un elemento crucial para el desarrollo y crecimiento social y espiritual de toda persona.

• Desarrollo en comunicaciones y relaciones incrementa la confidencial e independencia del individuo.

• Programas guiados a servir a las familias inmigrantes necesitan una constante reestructuración para cumplir los requerimientos de estas familias.

Executive Board - June 28, 2012

Chairperson

• Sister Caroline Tweedy, RSM

Vice Chairperson

• Mrs. Adina Johnson

Treasurer

• Mr. Louis Comunelli, P.E.

Secretary

• Ms. Anne Kreitsch

Directors

• Sister Camille D’Arienzo, RSM, Ph.D.
• Ms. Dorothy Phillips
• Mrs. Joan Bisciello
• Mrs. Martha Vallejo
• Mr. Patrick Morgan
• Mrs. Marilyn Cheeseboro
• Rev. Stephen Lynch
• Ms. Susana Zafra
• Rev. Robert Vitaglione
• Sr. Mary Eleonor Thrnton, RSM

Advisory Board

• Mr. Charles Bennett
• Esther Berkowitz, Ph.D.
• Mr. Jim Bisciello
• Ms. Pauline Blake
• Kathleen Quinn

 

Executive Director	Sr. Breige Lavery
After School Program Director	Ms. Sarah Colon
Communyty Resource Coordinator	Mrs. Marcela Villafana