(Unique Partnership with Community Housing of Maine Enables Mercy to Expand Program for Women and Children)
McAuley Residence, a comprehensive housing program that serves single women with children is about to move from its current location at 91 State Street in Portland, to what was once The Children’s Hospital of Portland at 68 High Street. The Sisters of Mercy founded the program twenty-five years ago and ever since it has been operated as part of Mercy’s community mission.
In the newly-renovated space that is owned by Community Housing of Maine (CHOM), the new McAuley Residence will expand from seven apartments to fifteen apartments ranging in size from studios to two-bedrooms along with spacious common space for the residents to gather.
The program serves women who struggle with addiction and have experienced other problems such as homelessness and domestic violence. Women who are accepted into the program through a strict screening process, have access to the resources of the Mercy Recovery Center, Mercy Primary Care Centers and life skills counseling through other Mercy partners including Opportunity Alliance for parenting skills and Key Bank for financial mentoring
Since its inception, the McAuley Program has helped more than 200 women and their children begin their lives anew. “It is extraordinary to witness women reconnect with their inner strengths and realize their potential as vital members of society, explains Melissa Skahan, vice president of Mission of Effectiveness at Mercy. “We are rewarded every day as we see them take the necessary steps to walk on their own and give back to community.”
All fifteen apartments will be outfitted in the coming weeks, courtesy of individual and foundation gifts and the Mercy Health System of Maine.
For more information about the McAuley Residence Program call 879-3487 or go to http://www.mercyhospitalstories.org/cms/mercy-in-the-community/mcauley-residence/ .



