“This year has changed me in so many ways. I am no longer blind to life on the streets and this new knowledge has opened my heart to those suffering from homelessness. My year has taught me many lessons, some painful, all necessary. My year of service has made me a better person. Without your support, I would not have been able to participate in this amazing program, and for that, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.” -Shannon Chisholm ’14
A LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Administrative Staff: Marian Uba Executive Director
Mary DeMarco Office Manager
John Farley
Director of Advancement
Elizabeth MacNeal
“It’s hard to put into words all that I will carry with me in my mind and heart as I move forward, but I know this experience will continue to transform me for the rest of my life.”
Communication Specialist
Community Coordinators: Marie Schultz-Stebel
Program Director
Angie Carlton
West Midwest
Chris Davidson
Mid-Atlantic
-Alex Pierlott ’14
Suzy Murphy James
NyPPaW
Keri Young
Northeast
Board of Directors: John Glenn Lisa Griffith, RSM, Chair Steve Knight Deborah Troillett, RSM Carol Tropiano, RSM Chloe Van Aken Marian Uba
“Sometimes I have this moment where I’m like ‘Who’s helping who here?’ They surprise me every day, and they teach me probably much more than I could teach them.” -Maureen Paley ’14
Cover Photo: Philadelphia Volunteer at her service site last spring.
It is with GREAT JOY that I share this 2014-15 Annual Report with you. As I begin my ninth year as the Executive Director of Mercy Volunteer Corps I am even more grateful for the opportunity to accompany people who commit themselves daily to the mission of service set forth by Catherine McAuley and the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas. In his remarks during the 2013 World Youth Day, Pope Francis urges us all to create the material and spiritual conditions for the full development of young people. He affirms the need to pass on to them, “lasting values that make life worth living; to give them a transcendent horizon for their thirst for authentic happiness and their creativity for the good; to give them the legacy of a world worthy of human life; and to awaken in them their greatest potential as builders of their own destiny, sharing responsibility for the future of everyone.” When I first read these remarks I immediately thought of the gift of Mercy Volunteer Corps for in fact, this is what our hope is for each of our Mercy Volunteers as they serve out their year working with those who are marginalized. This year we began a partnership with McAuley Ministries in Pittsburgh to create volunteer opportunities in the ministries where they are most needed in Pittsburgh. We are thankful for their support and encouragement. We are so grateful to our community of foundations, donors, board members, alumni, sites and all those who support us in so many ways. Your continued involvement means that new volunteers will be empowered to walk on the path of holy ground already travelled by more than 1,000 lay women and men and that together we will move this mission of service forward in the name of Mercy. Marian Uba Executive Director
MIRACLES IN DETROIT VOLUNTEER REFLECTION BY: RICH SAMARTINO ‘14
I
tell people all the time that miracles happen. Some unexplained force comes into a situation and changes it in ways that people never could have imagined, often with positive, inspiring or beautiful results. Though some people react skeptically to the possibility of miracles occurring, I believe that my year in Detroit with Mercy Volunteer Corps has been full of miracles from the very beginning. I’ll start my story right there: at the beginning. I was sitting in the Chester County, Pennsylvania public library, clicking through job listings on the website idealist.org. I had just been turned down by the one job prospect I had, and my quest to work with issues related to social justice seemed to be at a dead end. But then, like a bolt of lightning, I saw it: a job posting for someone working with people with disabilities in a poor area of Philadelphia through an organization called Mercy Volunteer Corps. I couldn’t believe it - of my two most recent volunteer jobs, one was working with adults with developmental disabilities, the other living at a community for people recovering from drug and alcohol addiction in North Philadelphia. The position seemed like a perfect match, and I called for more information only to find out that the position had already been filled. “But,” said the voice on the other end, “we do have one spot left in Detroit.” With a burning desire to work directly with issues related to social justice, I decided to read more details about the opening at Cabrini Clinic, America’s oldest free health clinic. The clinic’s small staff and history of advocating for social justice in healthcare appealed to me as an ideal place to get involved with issues related to social justice. Within days, I had been accepted to the program, and in a little over a month I was living in Detroit.
When I arrived in Detroit, I found a city full of people actively working to create a more just society. My placement at Cabrini Clinic put me in contact with one of the most connected people in the struggle for justice in Detroit, Sister Mary Ellen Howard, RSM, former Executive Director of Cabrini and a member of the Detroit People’s Water Board, among many other organizations. By the time my first month in Detroit was over, I had attended a People’s Water Board meeting and several other justice-related gatherings with Mary Ellen. Like a duck taking to water, I began to make my own connections with people involved in the struggle in Detroit. A breakthrough that allowed me to become involved as a contributing member to the movement for justice came when I attended a meeting of Detroiters Resisting Emergency Management. I graduated from Penn State with a degree in Information Sciences & Technology, so when I sat down and heard the group discussing the need for someone to update their website, I knew I had found a perfect opportunity to contribute my IT skills to the fight for justice in Detroit. I soon had administrator access to the group’s website and began posting articles that group members sent to me, something I have done several times per week for several months now. This seemingly s i m p l e contribution has led me places I never could have imagined. I now personally know many of the key people involved in the struggle against water shutoffs and tax foreclosures in the city, and most amazingly to me, contributing
my IT skills has allowed me to be not just an admirer of these talented and dedicated people, but a co-worker and comrade as well. Most recently, I have been asked to help create a website for legendary Detroit activist Grace Lee Boggs’ 100th birthday party. I don’t know any other way that I could have become so intimately involved in a struggle so important to me in a way that allows me to contribute my greatest gift of technology skills. Whether this is a miracle or not is open to interpretation. However, I would like to close by comparing my presence in Detroit to a seed, one that finds fertile ground and begins to grow. Eventually, it becomes so big that even birds and other animals rest on its branches and enjoy the sunlight that gives life to all beings. I feel that my work here has already touched many lives and made a positive impact in the struggle for justice in Detroit. However, like any living thing I want to keep growing and reach my full potential. Eventually all plants and animals pass away, but it is the image of each one of us resonating with the spirit within at such a frequency that the whole world hums along with us, that is the true miracle of life and highest aim of any person here. But it all starts with a little, dark seed in cold ground. Until, by an unexplained force, green s h o o t s e x t e n d upward and hairy roots down. Why these changes at this particular time and in this way? Who can explain it? You can provide your own explanation. I call it a miracle.
DONOR NAMES 2 014 -2 015 OUR MISSION WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT YOUR SUPPORT! THANK YOU! *Denotes Mercy Associate **Denotes Matching Gift
MERCY VOLUNTEER, GRACE YI, PLAYS WITH STUDENTS AT MERCY NEIGHBORHOOD MINISTRIES IN PHILADELPHIA, PA.
Theresa Agliardi, RSM Shirley Agnew, RSM Mary Seton Agovino, RSM Alaska Tanker Company, LLC** Marjorie Allen, RSM Denise Batistoni Diane Battaglia Dillon Carol F. Beaudoin, RSM Benedict Begin, RSM Virginia Benenati
Anne Marie Berenato, RSM Elizabeth Berliner Joanne Bibeau, RSM Pauline Blake* Kathleen and Simon Borys Michael Mary Brabner, RSM Mary Ann Brady, RSM Michel Brennan, RSM Carolyn Brink, RSM Mary Jeanne and Robert Broderick
Basil Brody Bernadine Brown Mary Agnes Brueggen, RSM Kevin Brunner Elizabeth Bryson, RSM Mary Buckman, RSM Mary Burke, RSM Rita Burke Helen Marie Burns, RSM Carol Burris Lois Burroughs, RSM Cristina Caballero, RSM Earl Caffrey, Jr. Cathleen Cahill, RSM Eileen Campbell, RSM Judith Cannon, RSM Lori Carlin Rita Carney Immaculate Carotenuto Jean Carroll, RSM Barbara Centner, RSM Mary and Bill Chambers Petra Chavez, RSM Dorothy Choyce, RSM Mary Christella, RSM Maureen Christi Donahue, RSM Virgena Clark, RSM Barbara and Michael Clements Joy Clough, RSM Holly Cloutier, RSM John A. Collins, CSsR Catherine Colliton, RSM Madeleva Comiskey, RSM Jeanne Conley, RSM Mary Conners Rosemary and Robert Connor* Mary Corkery, RSM Mary Kateri Costa, RSM Barbara Craig, RSM Jocile Crocker Mary Cronin, RSM Carmen Cruz, RSM Georgita Cunningham, RSM Nancy and Paul F. Cushing Mary Giuseppe DaBella, RSM Mary Brigid Danaher, RSM Frances D’Angelo* Mary Ann Danovich Capt. T.J. Davies, Jr. Mary DeFrancesco, RSM
Andre Dembowski, RSM Beverly Derbacher, RSM Anne Devaney, RSM Mary Ellen Devereux, RSM Emily Devine, RSM Regina Marie Doelker, RSM Anne Donigan, RSM Mary Agnes Donnelly, RSM Margaret Donohue, RSM Janice Doody, RSM Evangela Dorris, RSM Mary and Daniel Doyle Bettina Dubas Susan Dunnwald, RSM Mary Felice Duska, RSM Deanna Dutro Mary del Rey Ekler, RSM Mary Sharon Ekler, RSM St. Anthonys Catholic Church Ely Council of Catholic Women Edwin English, RSM Mary Enyart Rosamond Ethier, RSM Marise Fabie, RSM Anne and Joseph Falco Margaret Farley, RSM Laureen Fitzgerald, RSM Ann Flanagan, RSM Miriam Flynn Charlotte Fortier, RSM Lilyan Fraher, RSM Mary Fraser, RSM Camillus Frechette, RSM Lucy Frein, RSM Mary Anton Frick, RSM Marlene Fritz, RSM Joan Gadek Clare Galicia Gladys Garcia* Mary Pat Garvin, RSM Carol Gedid* MaryAnn and Larry Genuardi Sheila A. Geraghty, RSM Maryann Gibson Dane Gill M. Laetitia Gillis, RSM Give With Liberty** Marianne and Paul Gontarek GoodSearch M. Jude Graham, RSM
Philip Graham Linda and John Griffith Judy Gullotti Mindy Hall Maureen Hally, RSM Margaret Hannan, RSM Mary Hannon, RSM Mary Hanseder, RSM Carol Harbeck, RSM M. Faith Harding, RSM Patricia Harrington, RSM Percylee Hart, RSM Marie Hartmann, RSM Mary Jane Hasemeier Karla Haydam Carol Hayden Jan Hayes, RSM Ellen Hendrickson* Kathleen Hennessy, RSM Judith Herrmann, RSM Lourdette Herrold, RSM M. Melinda Hill, RSM Mary Gabrielle Hoefer, RSM Mary Monica Hoefer, RSM Ruth Hollen, RSM Stephanie Holub, RSM Carol Hopkins, RSM Julie Horvath, RSM Kathleen M. Howe* M. Hope Hughes, RSM Barbara Hunt, RSM Monica Imgrund, RSM Marylou and John Jacoby Mary Jakubowski, RSM Dale Jarvis, RSM Rosemary E. Jeffries, RSM, Ph.D. Mary Alice Jennings Ann Marie Judson* Irene Kay, RSM Mary Jo Kearns, RSM Gayle and David Kelley Rosemary Kelley, RSM Charlene Kelly, RSM Eugenia Kelly Jane Kelly, RSM Theresa Kelly, RSM Therese Marie Kenny, RSM Mary Kerwin, RSM Rita Kiernan, RSM Dorothy Kline, RSM
Antoinette Kohler Constance Kozel, RSM Barbara Kozlowski Colman Krise, RSM Marie Kubiak, RSM Catherine Kuper, RSM Suzanne Lachapelle, RSM Maris Stella Laliberte, RSM James Lawson Jean Little, RSM Lydia and Robert Lohrey* Dorothy Lord, RSM Amata Lorenz, RSM Mary Jeanne and Ronald Lorenzo Frances Lynch, RSM Regina Lyons* Linda Madden-Brenholts* Sally Maloney, RSM Reverend James Patrick Mannion, Jr. Nancy Marchini Alberic Martin, RSM Marymount University Maureen and Dennis Matulewicz Joseph Maureen, RSM Bobbie May Mary Norma McCabe, RSM Kathleen McClelland, RSM Karen and George McClennen Iona McDade The McDonough Family Maureen McElroy, RSM Jean McGinty Vivian McGlynn* Rosemarie McGrath* M. Geraldyn McGreevy, RSM Mary McGrory, RSM Margaret McHugh, RSM Kay McIntyre, RSM Katherine McKeaney DiMedio Rose A. McLellan, RSM Virginia Medwid, RSM Jean and James Meehan Marilyn Metz, RSM Agnese Mikolaj, RSM M. Stephanie Miller, RSM Mary Miller, RSM Karen Misorek Lorita Moffatt, RSM Marguerite Montalto, RSM
Maureen Morgan, RSM Mary Kathleen Moross, RSM Mount Saint Mary Carol Mucha, RSM Lenore Mulvihill, RSM Patricia Murphy Joan Nemann, RSM Network for Good Barbara Newton, RSM Lisa and Greg Niehaus Judith Niemet, RSM Carolyn Nieset* Eleanor Nishio, RSM Mary and John Nolan Mary Christel Nolan, RSM Olivia Obregon, RSM Brigid O’Brien Fay O’Brien, RSM Darlene O’Callaghan William P. O’Connell Thomas O’Hare Kathy Olbrich Maria O’Leary, RSM Maureen and William Olphert Margaret and Lawrence O’Malley Tim O’Malley Catherine O’Shea Mary Donata Ovelgonne, RSM Jacqueline Palama Helene Perry* Loraine Marie Peter, RSM Pauline Petruzella, RSM Claudine Picard, RSM Claire Plamondon, RSM Margaret Mary Platte, RSM Mary Lou Podzimek, RSM Mary Anne Poeschl, RSM Dorothy Porcaro, RSM Elizabeth Powell, RSM
Prudential Foundation Matching Gifts** M. Brigid Quinn, RSM Catherine Rawley, RSM Monica Reichmuth, RSM Fran A. Repka, RSM, Ed.D Maria Ricci, RSM Margaret Riebel Phyllis Ann Ries, RSM Barbara Riley, RSM Deacon John and Regina Riordan Joan Rokicki, RSM Geri Rosinski, RSM Brenda Rowe, RSM Rita Ruetz, RSM Helen Ruhl, RSM Evelyn and Thomas Rybaltowski Jeanine Salak, RSM Peter Sandusky Mary Anthony Schifano, RSM Jane Schlosser, RSM Karen Schneider, RSM, M.D. Marian Schultz, RSM Alice Semanchuk* Romaine Marie Shannon, RSM Ellen Shea, RSM Mary Elizabeth Shea, RSM Mary Sheehan, RSM Sarah M. Sherman, RSM William and Bette Simmons Sisters of Mercy of the Americas** Edna Slyck, RSM Rebecca Lieberman and George Smee Betty Smith, RSM Kathleen Mary Smith, RSM Polly Smith* Marian and Larry Snyder Margaret Songster, RSM
FOUNDATIONS 2014-2015 GRANTS AWARDED TO MERCY VOLUNTEER CORPS
Bray Family Foundation Walter G. Canipe Foundation, Inc.
The Patricia Kind Family Foundation Dolfinger-McMahon Foundation, Inc.
Austin Carroll Fund McAuley Ministries, Inc. Metzger-Price Fund, Inc. Molloy Foundation, Inc.
St. Vincent’s Academy Lisa Staudacher, RSM Evangelista Strohmier, RSM Leona Stumpf, RSM Diane Szubrowski, RSM Janette Tahy* Kathy and Dick Target* M. Joeline Teixeira, RSM Carole Temming, RSM The Jesuit Community, University of Detroit Mercy Honey and Michael Theogene* Frances Thomas, RSM Jeanette Mary Thomas, RSM Patricia Thompson, RSM Mary Trainer, RSM Truist** Joan Turbyville Anne Turnbach, RSM Katherine and Zigmont Ulinski Anne Vaccarest, RSM Mary Eugenia Vastola, RSM Andrea Vettori Ellen Vopicka M. Jude Walsh, RSM Susan Walsh, RSM Sally Walz, RSM M. Benedict Joseph Watters, RSM Margaret Weber, RSM Susanne Weetenkamp, RSM Rose Weidenbenner, RSM Ernest Weiler Amy and Tim Weindel Elizabeth Wekall, RSM Nora Wessel Eileen White, RSM Suzanne White, RSM Susan Wieczynski, RSM Marylue and Scott Wiesen Joan and Eugene Wilkinson Barbara Williams, RSM Rose Mary Williams Frances Winkler Margaret Winters Linda Wolgamott Patricia and David Zensky Mary Leona Zetah, RSM Antoinette Zimmerman, RSM Kathleen and Donald Zundel
ALUMNI DONORS
Jacqueline Abbey ‘07 Roberta Bamrick ‘96 Susan Baumher Mitchell* ‘83, ‘84 Colleen and Vincent Belz Frascatore ‘93 Nicole Bendistis Imler ‘00, ‘01 Maureen Berran Kubicek ‘02 Marilyn Bucheri ‘09 Mary Buxton* ‘02 Angie Carlton* ‘05 Megan Carolin* ‘09 Sandy and Malcolm Cochran ‘95 Kim D’Albenzio* ‘03 Paige Danos ‘02, ‘03 Jake DeMarais ‘12 Sarah Dorman ‘13 Roxann and Paul Dorweiler ‘93, ‘94, ‘97 Cara and Walter Doughty ‘85, ‘86 Jason Downer SJ ‘03 Erin Dunne ‘14 Jean Foster* ‘94, ‘96, ‘97 Corbin Gardner ‘13 Ann Marie Gillespie ‘84
Dottie and Skip Glover ‘06 Kathryn Gontarek Timer ‘01, ‘02 Shirley Grobson ‘02, ‘03 Susan K Hamell ‘98 Kaytlin Heckler ‘14 Janice Horne ‘03 Dawn Hunter Geoppinger ‘01 Mariah Iapicco ‘13, ‘14 Brynn Jones ‘10 William Jungerman ‘95-’01 Alyssa Keller ‘14 Bridget Kelley* ‘09 Georgellen Kelly ‘81, ‘82, ‘83 Stacy and Jake Konow DeMarais ‘12 Martha LaFreniere Harris ‘85, ‘86 Catherine MacLean ‘10 Cathy Manderfield, RSM ‘96, ‘97 Catherine McCafferty ‘12 John McLoughlin* ‘90, ‘98, ‘99 Jane Murphy* ‘90 Susan Murphy James* ‘05 Violet Murphy ‘98 JoAnne Murray Schluckebier ‘81
Erin Nangle ‘97, ‘98 Stephanie Nibaur ‘13 Gisela and Sherman Otto ‘06 Maureen Paley ‘14 Antoinette Payner ‘96 Laura Peterson ‘96 Mary Jo Pierantozzi* ‘79 Vickie Piontkowski ‘00 Deanna Poggie Sokola ‘01 Quetzalli Rocha ‘14 Margaret Satterfield ‘03 Michele Marie Schroeck, RSM ‘88 Marie Schultz-Stebel* ‘99 Lara Scott ‘02 Dixie Scruggs ‘13 Lisa Stellino Lamboy ‘02, ‘03 Lauren Stokes ‘14 Alice Valentine ‘03 Rosalynde Vas Dias ‘99 Marcia Wall Salvo ‘81 Leslie and Andrew Wessel* ‘04 Irene Wilkinson Best* ‘97 Robert Wotypka ‘08 Linda Dowling Youth* ‘10
MERCY VOLUNTEER CORPS
2014-2015 REPORT A YEAR IN REVIEW WITH MERCY VOLUNTEER CORPS REVENUE
ASSETS
500+
Paige Danos ‘02, ‘03 Reverend William Dooner Erin Dunne ‘14 Lisa and Joe Falco ‘97, ‘98 John Glenn Lois Graver, RSM Irene and Henry Graves Amy Hoey, RSM Steven Knight Karen and Richard Lopez Madonna Moran, RSM Jeanne O’Rourke, RSM Bob Paley
Maureen Paley ‘14 Reverend Leonard Rusay Margaret Satterfield ‘03 Dixie Scruggs ‘13 Frank Seidman Sisters of Mercy of the Americas Julie and Gene Sparks Robert Stauffer Marian Uba* Chloe and William Van Aken* Vicki Vanderveen Kristine and David Weber Aidan Whitehead
Stephen Uba Mary and Alejandro Aguilera-Titus Susan Baumher Mitchell* ‘83, ‘84 Maureen Berran Kubicek ‘02 Jennifer Brown Johanna Burnell, RSM Angie Carlton* ‘05 Susan Carroll Collaborative Leadership Development Program John Collins, CSsR Thomas Coughlin, Jr. Anne Curtis, RSM Chris Davidson Deborah Gainer-De Coster
Marc De Coster Frances Demarco, RSM Mary DeMarco Sheila Devereux, RSM Patrick Devine Lisa and Michael Engro John Farley Rayleen Giannotti, RSM John Glenn Lois Graver, RSM Lisa Griffith, RSM Denise Hackney Carol Hale Steve Knight Linda and Daniel Lefferts Elizabeth MacNeal Sylvia and Thomas Marcheskie Patricia McDermott, RSM Lisa* and Patrick McGarry John McLoughlin* ‘90, ‘98, ‘99 Mercy Circle, Chicago Mercy Investment Services, Inc. Geraldine and Joseph Mooney Madonna Moran, RSM Susan Murphy James* 05
Brigid O’Brien* Jeanne O’Rourke, RSM Mary Jo Pierantozzi* ‘79 Lorraine Rega Kathleen and Ralph Schultz Marie Schultz-Stebel* ‘99 Sisters of Mercy, Mid-Atlantic Sisters of Mercy, West Midwest Sisters of Mercy, Institute Leadership Team Lisa Stellino Lamboy ‘02, ‘03 STERIS Corporation Deborah Troillett, RSM Carol Tropiano, RSM Kathryn Uba Marian Uba Jane and Joseph Vacca Chloe and William Van Aken Kathleen Wade Patricia and Douglas Warren Kristine and David Weber Amy and Tim Weindel Leslie and Andrew Wessel ‘04 Irene Wilkinson Best* ‘97 Keri Young
IN KIND DONATIONS Katherine Bednarcik, RSM Judy Carey, RSM Jean Carroll, RSM Convent of Mercy Elaine Deasy, RSM Mary Ida Dolan, RSM Dory Dominguez Mary Fahy, RSM Beth Fischer, RSM Carmela Garofalo, RSM
John Glenn Google, Inc. Barbara Gould, RSM Gwynedd-Mercy University Mary Jean Johnson Steve Knight Margaret Langevin Lorraine LaVigne, RSM Susan Lohr Linda Madden* Joe McCarthy Mr. and Mrs. McCarthy Sarah McCarthy Fleming ‘01, ‘02 Kati McMahon, RSM
Betsy McMillian, RSM Mercy Health Center, Pittsburgh Jan Merzlak Eriin Moran ‘09 Mr. and Mrs. Moran Betty O’Hare, RSM Printco Graphics Colleen Rhoads Karen Scheer, RSM Judy Scott* Kathleen Swift Meghann Terry Deborah Troillett, RSM Chloe Van Aken*
MAJOR DONORS
Denise Allen* Susan Baumher Mitchell* ‘83, ‘84 Nicole Bendistis Imler ‘00, ‘01 Mary Janice Brink, RSM Judith Carle, RSM Barbara and Peter Coyne Anne Curtis, RSM
IN MEMORY
Mercy Volunteer Corps
expanded to two new cities, Pittsburgh and Hartford, during the 2014-2015 year.
DONATIONS IN MEMORY OF
William Eberle Lisa* and Patrick McGarry Rita Mary Olszewski, RSM Rosanne and Gerrard Gumbleton, Jr.
69% PROGRAM
17% ADMINISTRATION 14% DEVELOPMENT
HONOR DONATIONS IN HONOR OF
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Bradley Catherine MacLean ‘10 Johanna Burnell, RSM Jubilee Nicole and John Jesse III Sr. Eileen Campbell’s Golden Jubilee Erin Nangle ‘97, ‘98 Regina Zwaan Campo ‘78 Regina and John Campo Mary Coffey* Thomas Coffey
Throughout this past year, Mercy Volunteer Corps has continued to increase the percentage of expenses dedicated to our volunteer programming and mission while lowering the percentage of expenses designated for administration and development.
Barbara Coyne Lisa* and Patrick McGarry Georgetown, Guyana Regina and Tim Long Betty and Tom Griffith* and Family and Lisa Griffith, RSM Rosemary Mason Eleanor Guerin, RSM 50th Anniversary Amy Hoey, RSM Allison Hansgate ‘13 St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church Angelita Heinrich, RSM Alice and Philip Jones
Lisa ‘02, ‘03 and Ray Lamboy Christmas
Peg and Tom Glisson
Mercy Wings, Georgetown, Guyana Bernardine and Michael Basile Lisa McGarry’s* Birthday & Christmas Barbara and Peter Coyne NH Jubilarians Amy Hoey, RSM Christine Poletto ‘12 Ken Derry and Theresa Poletto Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Scanlan Catherine MacLean ‘10 Mr. and Mrs. Jack Scanlan Catherine MacLean ‘10 Kerry Weber* ‘04 Margaret and John Weber Sr. Angela Ann Zukowski, MHSH Catherine MacLean ‘10
IN KIND
EXTENDING THE Mary-Kate Begin ‘14 Denise Begin, RSM Jessie Biser ‘14 Doris Biser Lynesha Caron ‘14 Damiene Stewart Christine Carrillo ‘14 Blanca Hutson Vicki Vanderveen Shannon Chisholm ‘14 Georgie Bahler Rachel Boisselle June Irvine Michelle Laughran Linda and Mark Madsen Alexandria Metayer Jennifer Quinn Cristine Cirillo ‘14 Robert Daley Gina Glass Nicholas Culik ‘15 Martin Culik Erin Dunne ‘14 Erin Dunne ‘14 Annie Golemboski ‘14 Zachary Aliberti Garry Burry Kim and Bill Daman Paul and Nancy Deines Deb and Ken DeLor Adam Dietz William L Fichteman David & Brianna Golemboski/Copley David & Karla Hein Daniel Horan Tom Kelly James Lievre Lauren O’Connor Kathy & Larry Walker Matthew Guiffre ‘14 Margaret Litwin
Alison Hansgate ‘13 Erin Casey Barbara Sanborn Judith Wobst Kaytlin Heckler ‘14 Kaytlin Heckler ‘14 Emily Hindenburg ‘14 Karen and Richard Lopez Vicki Vanderveen Bianca Huerta ‘14, ‘15 Bridget Kelley* ‘09 Carol Mucha, RSM Esther Sanborn Mariah Iapicco ‘13, ‘14 Ghislaine and William Blomquist Karen Cecil Michele Collins Nancy and Salvatore Daluise Colleen Diveny Dolores and Bertram Feinswog, DDS Lillian and John Giordano Lisa Glassford Elizabeth Goss H.F. Lyttle Associates LLC Laura and David Hayward David Herman Debra Lee Iapicco Pat Jacukiewicz Linda James Stephen McSherry Debra Murphy Debbie Popovich The Rudnick Family Karen Saad Barbara Sabaitis June and Morton Seligman Jean and James Simes Jackie and Paul Totilo Heidi and Ken Zaentz Alyssa Keller ‘14 Timothy Case
Benjamin Freeman Alyssa Keller ‘14 Joshua Keller Sara O’Neill Kathleen Kelley ‘14 The Carlow Chronicle Carrie Hanshaw Marianna Koerner Sara Meyer ‘14 Chris and Jim Antony Paul & Jessica Hemenway Deanna Johnson Brad Jones Carole Schultz Frank Seebauer Kristine and Barry Valk Cindy and John Wuensch Victoria Niedzielski ‘14 John Elie Mary Frank E. Roger Stephenson HEALTHeLINK WNY Maureen Paley ‘14 Ben Ashton Sydney Blackett Mary De Luna Mary Ellen Demarais Nancy and Robert Earl Scott Krauthamer Kathryn and James Lodato Margaret Mair Helen McKennon Katie O’Brien Bob Paley Daniel Paley Maureen Paley ‘14 James Regan Sara Roser Randy Salim Jay Sarkar Ellen and Andrew Schnur
CIRCLE DONORS Suddhaseel Sen Marian and Larry Snyder Marcus Sowcik Susan Walters Carol and David Weyer Aidan Whitehead Jennifer Park ‘14 Dixilene and John Park Karen Paz ‘14 Leah Avitabile Janet Brown Noel Cortes Maurice Crawley Nancy and Bill Hyatt Monica Phillips ‘14 Debbie and Terry Abeyta Gabriel Abeyta Maria Abeyta-Garcia Sandra and Nick Abeyta Don & Sharron Berryman Tony & Aurora Casados Jonica and Joseph Castillo Mario & Emily Chavez Gene Christiansen Toni Cunningham Francis Dabice Dorothy Galloway Marcella Gomez Howard & Cecila Grimes Jeanne Olivas Juanita Olivas Deborah and Michael Phillips Margaret Radtke Mary and Steve Rendon Miguel Sanchez, Sr. Elizabeth and Michael Toelle Ronaldo Tong Sandra and Wayne Tyler Amabel Ulibarri Henry & Mabel Ulibarri Josie Ulibarri-Perea
Shirley Vitale Valerie Weiss William Wylie Alex Pierlott ‘14 Mary Pierlott Rosemary Ryan, RSM Quetzalli Rocha ‘14 Quetzalli Rocha ‘14 Xochitl Rocha ‘11 Rich Samartino ‘14 Karen Arthur Loretta Doud Michael Filano Sylvia Horowitz Jim Murphy Andrea Samartino Brent Samartino June Samartino Richard Samartino ‘14 Roger Samartino Thomas Samartino, Sr. Alisa Smith Dixie Scruggs ‘13 Arlington Hills United Methodist Church Dixie Scruggs ‘13 Sonia Soto ‘14 Rosemary Ryan, RSM Elena Westbrook Jessica Sparks ‘14 Kathy Bailey Tina Beard Pie Bears Julie Bollinger Leanna Burckle Erin Cantrell Emily Holladay Janie Lindsay Janet Luckett Mallory Luckett
Richard Medley Nancy Miles Drew Sparks Gene Sparks Julie and Gene Sparks Jason Stengel David Wilson Mike Woods Lauren Stokes ‘14 Deborah L Seaver Lauren Stokes ‘14 Paul Stokes Emily Woods Lauren Tatanus ‘13, ‘14 Nancy Marchini Mary Christel Nolan, RSM Rosemary Ryan, RSM Kate Ulfers ‘14, ‘15 Nancy Bremner Ruth Hokenson, RSM Frances and Stuart Ulfers Meagan Usselman ‘14 Sylvia and Cliff Coleman Donna and Gregory Frost Amber Gaul, R.D.H. Anneka Vanderveen ‘14 Natalie Bell Jessica Hendel Judy Kaiser Jeannine Smith Anneka Vanderveen ‘14 Vicki Vanderveen Ella Walzer ‘14 Megan Carolin* ‘09 Grace Yi ‘14 Laura Kurata Photos (left to right): New York City Community, Savannah Community with their Support Team, Detroit and Erie Communities, Philadelphia Community, Guyana Community, and Sacramento Community.
THE POWER OF COMPASSIONATE CARE BY: MERCY VOLUNTEER JESSIE BISER ‘14, SAVANNAH, GEORGIA
Y
ou’re a 35 year old woman from a corrupted and poverty-stricken village in Mexico. You have three kids with hungry bellies but not enough food despite all your efforts. You’ve heard all about the “American Dream” and decide it is time for you to experience it for yourself in order to support your family. After a grueling trip, you arrive in the U.S., a place glowing with big buildings and fancy people who speak a language you don’t quite understand. Shortly after arriving, you become sick, most likely from traveling in close proximity to others. You arrive at your appointment to find a doctor who towers over you like a giant oak tree and an interpreter who speaks incomplete Spanish. After your general exam, you begin to mention dizzy spells you have been experiencing recently but the doctor seems pressed for time. You’re unsure what an “antiinflammatory” or “steroid injection” is and don’t exactly understand how to take your meds, but choose not to ask any more questions to this overworked doctor. You feel out of place, but remind yourself that you came here for your family you left behind in Mexico; they need your help, so you envision them and push forward. Unfortunately, this is what immigrants experience and it is more common than we wish to believe. I know because I have seen it while volunteering at a free clinic in Savannah, GA. As the interpreter, I notice the patient’s uneasiness when the doctor rolls her eyes after more than one complaint. I see the provider standing in a power stance as the patient cowers in the corner timidly. I hear the terminology used and witness the blank stares in response. But the patients have no other choice. Many Latinos flee their country out of fear, hunger, poverty or a combination of the three. Either way, they come to improve their lives, but when faced with healthcare, they have
nowhere to go. Our system is imperfect and seems to create an uphill battle for undocumented Hispanic citizens with cultural barriers forming hurdles along the way. The two cultural barriers that were universal among patients I served were language and health literacy. Language is an obvious issue. If you don’t speak the native language, how are you going to express your health concerns? Of course, you can use an interpreter but you’re placing a lot of trust and faith into a stranger to efficiently communicate and understand your problems. Unless you have family or friends who can speak English, you’re always relying on a stranger to be your voice about your own health. Language barriers are the first contributor in a patient’s removal from healthcare, literacy being the second. Doctors commonly use medical jargon that doesn’t make much sense to anyone but themselves. When you have language as an added obstacle to literacy, it’s like giving these patients braille and asking them to read it with their hands tied behind their back. It simply isn’t fair to send them on such an obstructed path for something as serious as their health. To make matters worse, they’re too intimidated to ask clarifying questions to the doctor directly so they remain in the dark about most of their care. At this point, after stumbling over two hurdles, the majority of the patients are now twice removed from their care, so distant from connecting with the physician that the whole visit feels almost useless to them. Without a bilingual physician who will take time to explain medical terminology to patients, these problems persist. This experience motivates me to provide compassionate care to patients in an open environment. It will remind me, as a physician, to be empathetic, understanding and to really find where the patient stands in all aspects of their
life so I can meet them at their level. I cannot change our healthcare system, but I can change my interactions with these individuals and advocate for a higher quality of care for Latino immigrants. My hope as a future physician is to eliminate cultural barriers by providing care to Hispanic patients in a comfortable environment where the patients feel they can express their concerns freely without judgment. Not only has the Lord called me to do his service, but specifically to be his hand and heart in medicine for those who otherwise may not receive care.
Will you accept my differences? The ones you see so clearly Of language, ethnicity, and education Contrasting those of your own Shift your perspective and you’ll see we’re the same Experiencing pain, love, loss and joy
MVC IN NUMBERS
12 36 38 42
CITIES IN THE UNITED STATES & SOUTH AMERICA
YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE SPIRIT OF MERCY
SERVICE SITE PLACEMENTS
VOLUNTEERS SERVED IN 2014-2015
My knees wear bruises of forgiveness My skin dressed in stains of suffering For I have left my country, my home Seeking your support and guidance But instead I’m seen as rotten fruit Unpleasant and useless My hands reach for approval My ears listen for hope My heart screams for love My eyes seek justice My mouth remains shut Because nobody can hear me I’m willing to give you my hands scarred with labor To give my mind etched with experience To give my heart overflowing with gratitude The question is, Are you willing to move past your stigmas? Are you willing to accept? Poem written by Mercy Volunteer Jessie Biser
Photo: Mercy Volunteer Lauren Mifsud at her service site, St. Peter’s School in San Francisco.
Mercy Volunteer Corps
1325 Sumneytown Pike P.O. Box 901 Gwynedd Valley, PA 19437-0901 215.641.5535 www.mercyvolunteers.org
NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO 776 OMAHA NE