MERCY CONNECTIONS INC

MERCY CONNECTIONS EXISTS AS A DIRECT RESULT OF THE 75-YEAR HISTORY OF TRINITY COLLEGE AND THE SISTERS OF MERCY, WHEN THEY CLOSED THE COLLEGE IN 2000. IT BEGAN IN 2001 TO PRESERVE THE SOCIAL JUSTICE MISSION OF TRINITY COLLEGE AND INCREASE ACCESS TO EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES FOR THE MOST UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS OF VERMONT. MERCY CONNECTIONS' MISSION IS TO EMPOWER PEOPLE TO MAKE SIGNIFICANT LIFE CHANGES THROUGH EDUCATION, MENTORING, ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND COMMUNITY. MERCY CONNECTIONS OPERATES THREE WELL-ESTABLISHED, ROBUST PROGRAM AREAS, WHICH SERVE 800 PEOPLE ANNUALLY. THESE INCLUDE: THE INCLUSIVE ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAM (IEP) IS A TRAILBLAZER AND LEADER IN PREPARING ENTREPRENEURS TO LAUNCH AND OPERATE THEIR OWN BUSINESSES. THE JUSTICE AND MENTORING PROGRAM (J&M) MATCHES TRAINED WOMEN VOLUNTEERS (MENTORS) WITH WOMEN INVOLVED IN THE CORRECTIONS SYSTEM (MENTEES) AND PROVIDES RESOURCES, SUPPORT AND SOCIAL CAPITAL TO WOMEN TRYING TO RECLAIM THEIR LIVES AFTER INCARCERATION. EDUCATION PROGRAMS (E&T) OFFER A PORTFOLIO OF IN-DEPTH EDUCATION CLASSES, TUTORING, SUPPORT GROUPS AND A WEEKLY COMMUNITY LUNCH FOR PEOPLE SEEKING A SAFE, WELCOMING PLACE TO WORK ON THEIR GOALS, SENSE OF PURPOSE, AND POSSIBLY MOST IMPORTANTLY, BUILD CONNECTIONS WITH OTHERS. THESE PROGRAMS ARE SUPPORTED WITH EVIDENCE-BASED, ADULT EDUCATION AND SOCIAL JUSTICE PRACTICES THAT MEET PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE AND EMPOWER THEM TO MOVE FORWARD. WE WELCOME PEOPLE WHO ARE MARGINALIZED AND OFTEN ISOLATED AND ADHERE TO THE PREMISE THAT EVERY PERSON, REGARDLESS OF LIFE CIRCUMSTANCES, DESERVES DIGNITY, COMPASSION AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO PURSUE PERSONAL ASPIRATIONS WITHIN A SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY.