Family Shelter

Family Shelter

Our families are given the PRIVACY, RESPECT, AND DIGNITY needed to put their lives back together.

Our residents are given the space to be a family, amidst their challenges.

Shelter Programs

Birthday

If a child has a birthday while in our shelter, we provide cake, candles, decorations, and presents.

Snowflake Wishes

Every year, Mercy House teams up with area businesses and the Harrisonburg Police Department to bring a wonderful Christmas to families in need. Mercy House will assist families that have been through our programs (Shelter, VHSP Prevention, or Re-Housing aftercare programs) within the last year.  We estimate we serve about 100 area families each year. If your group (or family) would like to adopt a Mercy House family, please contact us at 432-1812 and ask for Seli. Due to high demand from the public and our small staff size, we will not be able to provide Christmas for every family that requests help. Families who are not served by Mercy House and receive benefits through DSS may qualify for assistance through their caseworker.  Please contact your caseworker for more information. 

After-school Tutoring

School-age Mercy House residents who attend Harrisonburg or Rockingham County schools can attend our After-School program Monday through Thursday at no cost. Volunteers from James Madison University, Bridgewater College, and Eastern Mennonite University, along with Mercy House staff, maintain a consistent and predictable routine for after-school participants that includes nutritional and physical activities. Student’s receive a snack upon arrival, provided by the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, and enjoy one-on-one interaction with a volunteer called Buddy Time. Children are encouraged to complete homework during the After-School program and are also allowed free time. We believe children need a balance in learning and play time.

Nutritional Assistance

Mercy House has an on-site pantry that serves families in shelter as well as individuals participating in our other programs. We are one of the only local pantries that offers perishable food items. Our pantry is stocked by volunteers, the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, and staff. We collect donations from Target and the Friendly City Food Coop. In the past year we have served 152 families and over 400 individuals through our pantry.