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Life would be unbearable without
mercy
Each one of us has been in a position, at least once in our lives, when
mercy has been extended to us and many of us have known the joy of bestowing
mercy on someone in need.
Mercy Center Ministries (436 W. Main St., Patchogue, 631-447-3978,
www.mercycenterministries.org) is a private not for profit agency
that was designed as a place for homeless teenage girls and teen mothers to
find hope, learn to heal and build life skills. Today Mercy Center
Ministries maintains three homes within our local community for at-risk
young women ages 16-21. But, twenty-five years ago this was not the case.
 Twenty-five years ago, a fifteen year old girl was thrown out of her home --
the day after her alcoholic mother remarried for the third time. At the
time, the young teen, Dawn Shiele, was being counseled by Sr. Mary Waters,
and that is who she turned to when she suddenly found herself alone and
homeless. Sr. Mary contacted a loving family in Bayport and they offered to
take young Dawn in … Blessed are the merciful …
Dawn’s situation, unfortunately, was not an isolated problem;
many young girls (some pregnant or already unwed mothers) were in need of a
stable, nurturing, and healthy home environment, and Sr. Mary Waters had a
heart for them and a vision for their future. Mercy Center Ministries began
with Sr. Mary, but she was soon joined by Tee Kennedy (her right-hand woman)
and with the help of Frederick (Ric) Rose, a house for the girls was
purchased in Patchogue. The doors of the first Mercy Center Ministries Home
were opened on November 1, 1983. Dawn and eight other girls were its
original residents.
Today Dawn Shiele-Marlette is a college graduate, living in Berkeley, CA.
Dawn is married to her husband, Jay, and they have a beautiful little girl
(the delightful Lucy). She is also an administrative assistant for a Jewish
outreach organization, Jewish Gateways (www.jewishgateways.org).
Dawn’s life really began when she served as the inspiration for the first
Mercy Center Home and it came full cycle when she and her mom reconciled a
few years ago. Dawn was her mother’s caregiver during her final illness and
was with her when she passed away last year … Blessed are the merciful
On Sunday, November 2, 2008 Mercy Center Ministries held their 25th
Anniversary Reunion and Brunch at Land’s End (80 Brown’s River Road,
Sayville). Dawn and Lucy attended, courtesy of the Schulz Foundation, who
generously donated their airfare. The heartwarming and encouraging reunion
brought Sr. Mary Waters, Founder and Director Emeritus of Mercy Center
Ministries, Catherine Olinger, President, Board of Directors, and Briana
Taylor, Executive Director back in contact with many, many past residents of
the Mercy Center Homes, as well as scores of donors, sponsors, and friends
of Mercy Center.
Catherine Olinger, current President, Board of Directors spoke about Mercy
Center Ministries goal and mission, “Mercy Center Ministries seeks to enable
young women (some with children) in need to live in a safe, structured
environment, attend school, receive counseling, psychiatric and parenting
skills services, if needed, and ultimately prepare the women to become
responsible, healthy and productive members of our community”.
Dawn Shiele-Marlette (original 1983 resident) also shared, “… it doesn’t
matter where you come from, sometimes through no fault of your own, life
presents you with obstacles too difficult to deal with by yourself. Mercy
Center Ministries began because my life was in need of mercy, I want to
never forget that and live a life which celebrates everyone who cared about
and believed in me”.
If you would like to make a donation or learn more about Mercy Center
Ministries, please contact them at 631-447-3978, or view their web site –
www.mercycenterministries.org.
Friends of Mercy Center
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