Meet Ivan
Ivan spoke at the grand opening celebration for Northfield Commons after moving into the brand-new community with his 9-year-old daughter.
“I was looking at maybe moving in with a friend or something and she said there are organizations that can help.
“I needed to do something right away, so I made all the phone calls and kept hitting roadblocks.
“And then I woke up one morning and there was a voicemail from the sweetest woman named Carol.
“I called her back and she says to me: ‘It’s your lucky day.’
“She explained that applications were opening for a new affordable housing development, so I’m like, ‘alright, let’s do it.’ and the next thing you know, it’s happening.”
“It was super important that she got to stay at her school [when we moved.] But it was more important that we got to stay together… the school is great because it’s our community.
I volunteer there and for another after-school program that does nature camps for kids under 12, as well as coach my daughter’s soccer team. So yeah, it was really important that we got to stay.
Meet April
April received her autism diagnosis while finishing up her associate’s degree in psychology. She lives in a permanent supportive Mercy Housing Mountain Plains community, where she is rebuilding her life.
“I literally came here with nothing. I took the bus to school. An hour and a half there, and an hour and a half back. It was a rough semester.
“I saved up, and now I have a vehicle. I can go visit my niece. A couple of the ladies here even call me for a ride, and I like that. I like helping my neighbors.”
“I didn’t find resources and help just so I could sit on the couch all day. I’ve never been one to be a couch potato. I play the ukulele and my 7-year-old niece likes to play too! It’s nice to have family come to my place.”
Meet Flo
Who finally feels at home after more than 20 years without a place of her own.
“I moved in nine months ago, but I feel like I’ve been here for years already. I’ve made lots of friends and we are always doing something. We have coffee club every day and it’s nice to have things to do.
“The only day I rest is Sunday, and I like it like that.”
“Flo and I became close due to our love of advocacy. We crave change and a challenge. She consistently volunteers for one of our services and is the vice president of the Resident Council.
“She is like family to me at work, she gives me hugs if I don’t show up in the morning with a smile on my face.”
— Yaritsa Castillo, Senior Case Manager at Mercy Housing
You can change lives.
People of Mercy is a series celebrating the more than 3,000 people who call Mercy Housing Mountain Plains home. From seniors in Arizona to families across Utah, Colorado, South Dakota, Nebraska, Missouri, and Iowa, these stories give us a glimpse inside the lives of those we serve.
