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Mercy Neighborhood Ministries offers
direct service programs to the Tioga community of North Philadelphia.
This community suffers from
the many problems associated with poverty: unemployment, underemployment,
violence, drugs, a high percentage of single- parent families,
inadequate housing, deteriorated and vacant properties, isolation
of the elderly poor, poor health/nutrition, and the behavioral
health issues associated with a poor, urban environment.
Here are statistics based about the neighborhood, based on the 2000
U.S. Census Report:
- 33% of our neighbors are children
- 56% of our neighbors never
graduated from high school
- 75% of our children live in single
parent or unmarried households
- 43% of our neighbors attended high
school but did not complete
- 66% of our children are cared for
by single, female heads of households
- 13% of our neighbors never
attended high school
- 20% of our neighbors are over 65
- 17% of our neighbors who are
employable can’t find
work
- 43% of our neighbors live below the poverty
level (less than $20,000 a year)
At the same time, the Tioga community is a wonderful neighborhood
in which to live and the families who live there respond to life
with joy, courage and enthusiasm, even as they face the many
challenges that confront them each day. The ministry’s neighbors are
people of deep faith in the God they believe sustains them, walks
with them,
and, against all odds, provides for them. Community members are
invested in the future of their neighborhood and work tirelessly
for its improvement.
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