Housed within the Office of Campus Ministry, the Mercy Works program reflects and enhances the College's commitment to the Mercy tradition of service to society. Our goal is to connect the talents of GMC students with people in need in our wider community, as well as to offer students opportunities to reflect on their experience of service. 
As members of the community engage in service to people who are poor and marginalized, they will deepen their ability to identify and respond to the needs of their time through the lenses of both Catholic Social Teaching and the Critical Concerns of Mercy.

"By her courageous, contagious love for the poor, Catherine McAuley connected the rich to the poor, the healthy to the sick, the educated and skilled to the uninstructed . . . to do the work of God on earth" (Tender Courage). Through the Mercy Works program, Campus Ministry at GMC strives to be faithful to Catherine's legacy.

Mercy Works ongoing projects are listed below. 
To find additional volunteer opportunities near Gwynedd-Mercy College, you can view a map of our community partners (local non-profit organizations), by clicking on our Google Map, or search a database of non-profits throughout Montgomery County, PA by visiting the Info Link PA site.

For more info or to sign up for any of the programs below, contact Mercy Works at 215-641-5592 (x592 on campus) or e-mail Sr. Betty Scanlon, Associate Director of Campus Ministry for Community Service, scanlon.b@gmc.edu. 

Mercy Mentors (Thursdays, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.):
Students from Gwynedd-Mercy College spend time with adolescent youth residing at St. Mary’s Villa for Children and Families in Ambler, to develop mentoring relationships during the school year. Training is provided in the September, but new members are always welcome. GMC students are asked to commit to this program for the entire school year in order to provide stable relationships for the youth. Contact Michael Brown at brown.m@gmc.edu. 

Cradles to Crayons (Fridays 1:00 - 3:30 p.m.):

Cradles to Crayons in Conshohocken provides (free of charge) low-income and homeless children from birth to pre-teen the basic essentials they need to be safe, warm, ready to learn, and valued.  C2C partners with social-service organizations in the Philadelphia area to connect communities that have surplus resources—new or used items in good condition—with communities that desperately need access to those resources. GMC students spend two hours every week sorting donations and selecting appropriate, quality supplies for particular children.  Even though you may never meet the child whose backpack you pack, it is a very rewarding experience! Contact Mary Ashmore at ashmore.m@gmc.edu or Gwen Conte at conte.g@gmc.edu.

Habitat for Humanity
Mercy Works sponsors various opportunities for Gwynedd-Mercy College students to get involved with the Montgomery County chapter of Habitat for Humanity. HFH workdays are known for being fulfilling and rewarding experiences, therefore volunteer spots are in high demand. Spring dates are pending; contact Morgan Chando at chando.m@gmc.edu.

Manna on Main Street, Lansdale PA (Various Mondays/Wednesdays, 3:30 - 6:00 p.m.)
Manna on Main is a local organization that serves poor and hungry residents in the area. Mercy Works volunteers are needed to prepare meals at Visitation House and to serve them at Manna. Several Tuesday and Wednesday dates are available this semester; contact Michael Brown, brown.m@gmc.edu.

GMC Holiday Outreach
Students, faculty and staff collect food and gifts for Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays for families who otherwise would not be able to celebrate the season. 

Disaster Relief
When tragedy strikes at home or abroad, Mercy Works coordinates GMC's disaster relief efforts. Click here to read about our response to the earthquake in Haiti.

ALTERNATIVE BREAK

The Mercy Works program of Campus Ministry offers service-immersion experiences during Winter and Spring Breaks as part of GMC’s commitment to the Mercy tradition of service to society.  Students, faculty and staff who participate in these experiences have a desire to:

• Be of service to others
• Learn more about economic poverty, diversity and social justice
• Grow in their spirituality
• Reflect on their experiences together as a community
• Strengthen their leadership qualities and commitment for the future
  

This year's Spring Break Trips will take place in the Bronx, Biloxi, Cincinnati and New Orleans, and our Winter Break Service was held in North Philadelphia. Click here to read more about each of these sites!

Mark your calendars now for Alternative Break BINGO! Friday, March 23!
This festive annual event raises money for our Alternative Winter and Spring Break service trips. Doors (of our own gym) open at 6:00; play begins at 7:00 and features gift card prizes as well as food and an amazing basket raffle. Please come and bring your family and friends; it's a great night! We are also seeking donations of prizes, baskets, and baked goods; contact Christine at eberle.c@gmc.edu.

Snapshot: ALTERNATIVE SPRING BREAK 2011

The ASB Baltimore group enjoying a silly moment!

Our 2011 trips included:

• Alternative Winter Break:  Eight students served agencies in Philadelphia & Montgomery County, including Impact Thrift, Manna, and Project H.O.M.E., while living at Cranaleith Spiritual Center

• Alternative Spring Break: Twenty-seven students and seven faculty/staff served in Baltimore MD, Bronx NY & Cincinnati OH.  These trips were entirely fund-raised; many thanks to all those who supported our students in these important endeavors!

Click here to see more photos of 2010 trips.

Click here to access our packet of resources for reflection.

Watch the director of Campus Ministry, Christine Eberle, speak about Alternative Spring Break on Comcast Newsmakers.

ASB Team New Orleans 09 returning home

Alternative Spring Break 2009:

Stories & Photos

Click above to get a taste of ASB 2009!