MercyWorks Values
Social Justice
MercyWorks volunteers work directly with the children of Mercy Home. Volunteers develop healthy relationships and draw on their life experiences, skills and motivation to advance the goals outlined by the Home's mission. This social justice work takes place in the context of faith. In the Christian life, no distinction can be made between the giver and the receiver. Even when it appears that one person provides a service and the other receives the benefits of that service, the "giver" often receives the most benefit from such acts of justice.
Spirituality
MercyWorks volunteers are presented with numerous opportunities throughout the year to explore, develop and enhance their personal and communal spirituality. We recognize that volunteers will come to Mercy Home with various experiences of spirituality. Our hope is that the volunteer intentionally seeks to deepen both the reality and the awareness of their relationship with God and others so that one's life in thought, word and deed reflects the love of God. By accepting, celebrating and loving self and others in the day-to-day reality of community living and service at Mercy Home, volunteers are able to reflect upon their personal and communal faith journey, celebrating growth and achievements. The integration of faith and life through prayer, theological reflection, sacramental worship and Christian witness is focused on supporting and leading volunteers to a deeper and more intimate relationship with God, members of the volunteer community and the larger community.
Simple Lifestyle
MercyWorks volunteers are called to a life of simplicity. Voluntary simplicity is the examined life. Learning to live a more conscious, simple, healthy and restorative lifestyle provides the volunteer with the time and energy to focus on their personal, spiritual, communal and professional development. Simple living is on a continuum, taking many forms and dependent upon the needs and desires of an individual and community within which they live. Intentionally choosing to simply your life leads you to begin asking questions, "What's important?" "What do I really need versus want?" "How do my choices affect the quality of my life?" "How do my choices affect the well-being of others?" "How are my choices linked to the planet within which I live?" Powerful social, economic, and cultural forces encourage us to draw back from our neighbor into lifestyles of individualism, excessive consumption, and "me-first" politics. The Gospel, in contrast, urges us to be persons for others, deeply committed to the well being of all members of the human family. The central purpose in calling volunteers to a simple lifestyle centers on helping one find meaning and purpose in all that they do...and a heightened appreciation of the simple pleasures of life.
Community
MercyWorks volunteers live in community with other volunteers. Through the experience of community, volunteers strive to live their beliefs and work towards the goal of valuing the totality of self and others. Community living emphasizes the interconnectedness among persons, things and events. Community living helps its members recognize that the development of gifts in each person enriches the life of the community. Community living offers the opportunity to recognize that the wellness of each person is necessary for the wellness of the community. Living in community also represents support and understanding to the volunteer experience as they face the challenges of working with troubled youth. Sharing dinner, discussion, prayer, and fun, they renew and encourage each other to continue their service. Community living at Mercy Home differs from group living, roommates, and families, because the common goals are to foster spiritual growth in each other and support in each other in the service to the Home.
Professional Development
MercyWorks volunteers are presented with a variety of professional development opportunities to reinforce their on-the-job training through daily work experience. Training will occur both within the specific program you are assigned as well as in large-group forums involving all childcare departments. Additional opportunities to learn and grow may occur outside Mercy Home for Boys & Girls. All volunteers will receive professional supervision and periodic evaluation throughout the year. MercyWorks staff will facilitate and encourage volunteers to develop a mentor relationship relating to their specific area of interest. Mercy Home for Boys & Girls continually seeks healthy, mature and professional men and women to join the effort in helping the children who come to the Home. Post-service employment opportunities including a sign-on bonus will be extended to those volunteers who successfully fulfill their MercyWorks commitment and whom the agency feels would assist us in our mission. Financial assistance for education will be available for those volunteers who accept the invitation to join Mercy Home as full-time regular employees after their year of service.