Rochester Business Journal

Mercy Bridges is a relatively new ministry of the Sisters of Mercy to foster adult literacy. It was developed in response to the Rochester Literacy Movement, begun by Rochester Mayor Robert Duffy soon after he took office in 2006. The Sisters of Mercy did research with literacy agencies and attended the mayor's Leadership Summit on Literacy in November 2006. Mercy Bridges began in early 2007.

Mercy Bridges provides basic literacy services and teaches English as a second language to people 18 or older. It uses tutors-sisters, associates of the order and other people-to teach adults, particularly those who might not qualify for, have access to or have success with other literacy programs.

Working with Literacy Volunteers of Rochester Inc., Mercy Bridges has trained 95 tutors who meet one-on-one with learners for two hours a week in public places around Monroe County, such as libraries and churches. Tutors are offered support in forums and workshops, and the program maintains a resource center of instructional materials.

Candidates for instruction are interviewed and assessed by Mercy Bridges, which then matches them with tutors. At the outset, learners set goals for their participation. The matched tutors and learners are asked to commit to working together for one year.

After an annual progress assessment, a tutor and learner may continue working together until the learner reaches his or her goal. To date, Mercy Bridges reports, annual assessments have indicated that students progress two to five levels of achievement; 97 percent of the tutors and learners commit to continuing in the program. Several people served by Mercy Bridges have become citizens, entered community college, obtained a job, received a promotion at work or developed the ability to read to their children.

Mercy Bridges was started with financial assistance from the Sisters of Mercy but now relies on donations and grants. Its board developed a three-year strategic plan in 2008, and efforts have begun to make the ministry financially sustainable over the long term. The first annual fundraising campaign is slated to be launched Nov. 2.

Mercy Bridges collaborates with local literacy and social agencies in carrying out its mission. But it distinguishes itself from most other literacy programs in several ways. As a ministry of a religious order, it places great emphasis on going beyond the development of language skills to build relationships and enable people to function effectively in the home, on the job and in the community.

Mercy Bridges also does not apply for state or federal funding, which maximizes its flexibility in operational policies and standards for accepting students. And it has its own assessment system and accountability practices, rather than reporting to government agencies.

Mercy Bridges has two employees, and Sister Edwardine Weaver is executive director. The office is at 1437 Blossom Road, Brighton, and the Web site is www.mercybridges.org.

Financial record Year ending June 30, 2009 
Revenue %
Cash on hand, including Sisters of Mercy subsidy $30,000 55
Donations 18,136 33
Grants 5,000 9
Interest 1,445 3
Total revenue $54,581 100

Expenses %
Administration salaries $30,278 75
Program 5,950 15
Office 4,227 10
Total expenses $40,455 100
Excess (deficiency) of revenue over expenses  $14,126

Board of Directors

Sister Nancy Whitley, chairwoman; co-director of associates, Sisters of Mercy of the Americas New York, Pennsylvania, Pacific West Community Inc.
Ronald Anderson; retired newspaper executive and consultant
Mary Austin; co-director of associates, Sisters of Mercy
Michelle Bruzee; experienced volunteer, Literacy Volunteers of Rochester Inc.
Joseph Carney; director of gallery advancement, Memorial Art Gallery, University of Rochester
John Conners; attorney, Amdursky, Pelky, Fennell & Whalen P.C.
Rev. Peter Deckman; retired parochial vicar, Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester
Carol Gaelens; director, Mid-West Regional Adult Education Network, WXXI Public Broadcasting Council
Jean Galofaro; co-director of Rochester associates, Sisters of Mercy
Linda Miller; director of development; Mary M. Gooley Hemophilia Center Inc.
Virginia Rizzo; coordinator of literacy programs, Monroe 2-Orleans Board of Cooperative Educational Services
Sister Edwardine Weaver; executive director, Mercy Bridges
Sister Marilyn Williams; retired reading specialist, Rochester City School District

-Researched by James Leunk

10/30/09 (c) 2009 Rochester Business Journal. To obtain permission to reprint this article, call 585-546-8303 or e-mail service@rbj.net.