A new venture that will facilitate the organization’s commitment to attack the challenges of homelessness, lack of housing and jobs that many in the Mercer Street area face.
In order to expand their operations to neighboring disadvantaged communities, CommunicAID, a non-profit organization, is purchasing the Mercer school, which had been empty for two years.Because of its success in coordinating services for a similarly
disadvantaged population in the Jamaica location, CommunicAID was given the
opportunity to purchase the property. After receiving a $500,000 grant by the New York
Housing Authority and a $250,000 grant from the Jamaica City Council, renovations are set
to begin within two months. The Mercer Street area was once a thriving blue-collar neighborhood, however, after the closure of several manufacturing plants, it has since been filled with elderly, low-income families who need support for food and housing. The opening of the Mercer Street Satellite Center will offer a 32-bed overnight shelter, 60-person day shelter with food service, 30-person long-term family shelter and a 12,000 square food pantry. The new facility will also include the same resources and programs offered at the current CommunicAID location such as the literacy programs, Homes for All affiliate, and Back-to-Work Training/Job Placement.
Article written by Melody Zenck
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