By Dalia Diaz
House of Mercy has continued to grow in demands and services. With the advent of the cold weather, the need increases for clothing and services and it was obvious by the number of people having lunch or gathered by the “closet” searching for warm clothing.
During a visit last Saturday, Mabel Valenzuela gave me a tour of the other side of the refuge, an area not open to the general public. From here they provide clothing to families affected by the gas explosions. Everything is carefully sorted by gender and sizes in huge boxes.
“We have been blessed by God,” said Mabel. “We have so many people contributing in so many ways to our work!”
They are also thankful to the volunteers who do all the work. There are all kinds of nationalities and religions working side by side.
The most recent and significant addition has been two wagons that have been converted into eight rooms providing privacy and independence to individuals who want to get out of the life they had been living. The House of Mercy helps them with employment, counseling and other services and they commit to paying one third of their salary. That money will be deposited in a savings account for when they are ready to rent an apartment.
They have a porta-potty for when the center is close but they have the use of the bathrooms and showers inside.
Roger Farah has done all of this without the benefit of grants, only donations, his own resource and plenty of wonderful volunteers.
Go by 84 Bay State Rd. and see for yourself.
