Our History

Neighbor helping neighbor. Transforming lives, one person at a time.

The Sisters of Mercy have worked in partnership with the working poor of the Tioga-Nicetown community for more than 35 years resulting in adult and childcare programs. In 1997 Mercy Neighborhood Ministries was founded, incorporated in 2003, purchased an abandoned warehouse in 2005, renovated it as a ‘green building’ & opened the Mercy Family Center in January 2009.

The Mercy Family Center provides 32,696 square feet, and features four children’s classrooms, adult activity room, state of the art computer lab, all purpose room (capacity 358), dining room, warming kitchen and three conference rooms.

The Mercy Family Center is the only green building in North Philadelphia; one of 24 in the city of Philadlephia and one of just nine certified at the silver level by the U.S. Green Building Council.

As a green building it has a positive impact on the community environment, saving natural resources, utilizing natural lighting, and serving as a model that promotes environmental awareness in the Tioga-Nicetown neighborhood and throughout the ‘sustainable design’ community. To our children, adults and frail elderly it is a safe, nurturing home away from home providing critical social services.

The programs we offer include:

• Childcare – a licensed day care program for school aged children with a capacity of 100
• Adult Day Care – a licensed program for the elderly and those with special needs with a capacity of 57
• Adult Education and Human Development program which includes: adult education services; computer education; workforce development; and spiritual and leadership development for women.
• Health and Wellness Initiative providing information and education to improve the health outcomes of families and individuals in the community.

Strengthening and supporting families, Mercy Neighborhood Ministries continues its promise to the working poor. Neighbor helping neighbor. Transforming lives, one person at a time.