What Mercy Center does

Mercy Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1990 by Sister Mary Ann Dirr, RSM, and incorporated in 1995, operating two physical facilities in the Mott Haven section of the South Bronx (377 East 145th Street and 332 East 149th Street) with a staff of approximately 84. The organization delivers seven integrated program areas: Adult Education and Workforce Development (ESOL classes, GED preparation in Spanish and English, job readiness, and contextualized workplace English for hospitality and healthcare); Immigration and Asylum Seeker Services (free legal assistance for naturalization, DACA, asylum, TPS, and related matters, operated under a NYS Office for New Americans Opportunity Center designation held since 2012); Familia Adelante/Family Forward (a trauma-informed 2-Gen program serving 121 families/555 individuals in 2024-2025); Family Skills (evidence-based parenting curricula); Youth Programs (after-school, summer camp, STEAM, NYC Kids RISE college savings); Personal Development; and Social Services and Community Education (case management, NYC Benefits screening, community workshops). Participants are predominantly low-income immigrant residents of the South Bronx, with 70+ birth countries represented, 100% of participants having household income of $20,800 or less, and the majority without a high school diploma.

The business model is a diversified nonprofit funding stack: individual donations processed through DonorPerfect, foundation grants (Booth Ferris, New York Community Trust, Hispanic Federation, O'Neil, Somos Innovation, Con Edison), government grants from the NYS Office for New Americans, annual fundraising events (the 2025 Transforming Lives Gala raised $426,045 from 221 guests, up from $371,610 in 2024), corporate matching gifts, payroll giving, securities donations, and planned giving through the Sister Mary Ann Dirr Legacy Circle. All programs are provided free of charge to participants; the organization has no pricing model, no app or SaaS product, and is not a technology company. Go-to-market is community-based: word-of-mouth referrals, partnerships with local schools, churches, and Catholic Charities, and multilingual digital presence in English, Spanish, French, and Simplified Chinese.

Name

Mercy Center

Legal name

Mercy Center

Website

https://mercycenterbronx.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Mercy Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in the South Bronx delivering free adult education, workforce development, immigration legal services, and youth and family programs to low-income immigrant residents of the Mott Haven neighborhood, funded through donations, foundation and government grants, and an annual gala.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Social Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Child and Youth Services (62411), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Refugee & Immigrant Support Services (BPAGAEAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Legal Aid & Client Advocacy Services (BPAGAEAM)

Keywords

• Community social services
• Adult education programs
• Immigration legal assistance
• Workforce development training
• Youth enrichment programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Bronx

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time and recurring donations from individuals through the organization's website donation portal, processed through DonorPerfect
2. Foundation Grants: Funding from private and community foundations including Booth Ferris Foundation, New York Community Trust, Hispanic Federation, O'Neil Foundation, and Somos Innovation
3. Government Grants: Funding from government sources including NYS Office for New Americans Opportunity Centers (since 2012)
4. Annual Gala Events: Transforming Lives Gala raises funds through ticket sales, sponsorships, and auction. 2025 gala raised $426,045 from 221 guests; 2024 gala raised $371,610 from 193 guests
5. Corporate Matching Gifts: Employer matching gift programs where donors can multiply their contribution through corporate matching programs
6. Payroll Giving: Recurring donations deducted from employee paychecks through employer payroll systems
7. Securities and Planned Giving: Gifts of securities and legacy circle planned giving programs including the Sister Mary Ann Dirr Legacy Circle

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Mercy Center delivers free social service programs to women, men, and families in the South Bronx across seven core areas: adult ESOL/GED education and workforce training, free immigration legal assistance (naturalization, DACA, asylum), a 2-Gen whole-family program (Familia Adelante/Family Forward), parenting classes, youth academic and enrichment programs, personal development, and case management/community education. All services are provided at no cost to participants and funded through donations, grants, and fundraising events.

Product overview

Mercy Center is a community-based nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of social service programs for women, men, and families in the South Bronx. The organization operates seven distinct program areas: Adult Education and Workforce Development (ESOL, GED, job readiness), Immigration and Asylum Seeker Services (free legal assistance for naturalization, DACA, asylum), Familia Adelante/Family Forward (whole-family 2-Gen approach), Family Skills (parenting classes), Youth Programs (after school, summer camp, STEAM enrichment), Personal Development (wellness and community activities), and Social Services/Community Education (case management, benefits screening, workshops). These programs work holistically to address economic stability, education, immigrant support, and family well-being.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Adult Education and Workforce Development

Quantifiable outcome

• 121 families (555 individuals) served through Familia Adelante in 2024-2025
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and foundational.

• NYS Office for New AmericanscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Mercy Center has been funded as one of only 23-28 NYS Office for New Americans Opportunity Centers since 2012, providing free immigration legal services to eligible individuals throughout New York State.
• Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New YorkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing partnership for continued collaboration including Deloitte Impact Day volunteer coordination, program support, and co-hosting of events. Catholic Charities is a longtime supporter and partner.
• DeloittecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate volunteer program through Deloitte Impact Day. For the fourth consecutive year, Deloitte volunteers helped beautify outdoor spaces at the 145th Street site, creating a welcoming environment for the community.
• Qualitas of Life FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership in Familia Adelante/Family Forward program providing financial literacy workshops and coaching to participating families. Also presents financial wellness workshops during Family Days events.
• Fiver Children's FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership in Familia Adelante program providing academic coaching and youth development support. Offers two-week tuition-free summer camp at upstate rural site for children starting in third grade. Mercy Center designated as local partner in 2003.
• NYC Kids RISEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with NYC Kids RISE Save for College Program supporting educational futures of children in District 7 public and charter schools. Helps families open and grow college savings accounts regardless of income or immigration status.
• Dance to UniteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram bringing dance and social-emotional learning opportunities to Mercy Center students in grades 1-8 through weekly classes from October to June with professional teachers.
• Hispanic FederationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHispanic Federation partnered with Mercy Center for LUCHA Equity Fund celebration across New York State. Longtime supporter of immigrant services and community programs.
• Sisters of MercyfoundationalStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding organization in whose tradition Mercy Center operates. Mercy Center was founded with vision of hope, dignity, and empowerment inspired by Sisters of Mercy values.
• Cardinal McCloskeyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity organization funder and partner supporting Mercy Center programs.
• Citizenship ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization supporting citizenship and naturalization programs.
• Maritza Puello (Certified Mindfulness Practitioner)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCertified Mindfulness Practitioner providing stress reduction and family connection workshops for Familia Adelante families.
• Church of St. Francis XavierminorStrategic or Co-development Partner2026 Transforming Lives Gala honoree recognized for service and support of Mercy Center mission.
• New York YankeesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDonated private suite at Yankee Stadium for Mercy Center fundraising event, providing memorable experience for families, participants, staff, and supporters.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• The Door: NYC-based youth and family services nonprofit offering education, workforce development, immigration legal services, and case management. Strong overlap with Mercy Center's youth programs and immigration services, serving a similar low-income urban population.
• Urban Resource Institute: NYC human services nonprofit providing housing, domestic violence, and family support programs to vulnerable populations. Comparable to Mercy Center in serving low-income NYC residents through community-based social service delivery.
• Make the Road New York: Immigrant-led community organization providing free immigration legal services, adult education, workforce development, and youth programs across NYC. Closely comparable to Mercy Center in service mix, target population, and 2-Gen approach, with overlapping funder relationships.
• Hispanic Federation: NYC-based nonprofit delivering immigrant services, civic engagement, and economic empowerment programs across New York State. Hispanic Federation is a listed Mercy Center partner that jointly runs the LUCHA Equity Fund, with overlapping immigrant-services missions and donor ecosystems.
• Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation: Washington Heights/Inwood-based community organization providing free immigration legal services, ESOL, workforce development, and family services. Closely comparable to Mercy Center in mission, service mix, and immigrant-focused legal aid delivery model.
• New York Immigration Coalition: Umbrella policy and service organization advancing immigrant rights and service capacity across New York. Operates adjacent immigration legal services and advocacy programming comparable to Mercy Center's Immigration and Asylum Seeker Services portfolio.
• Children's Aid Society: Major NYC nonprofit delivering youth development, family support, education, and community-based services across multiple sites. Comparable to Mercy Center in youth programming, after-school services, and college savings/educational pipeline offerings.
• Henry Street Settlement: Long-standing NYC settlement house delivering social services, education, arts, and youth programs to low-income residents on the Lower East Side. Operates a comparable multi-program nonprofit model with similar history of community-based service delivery.
• Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York: Large-scale multi-service nonprofit serving low-income New Yorkers across immigration, family, education, and workforce programs. Mercy Center lists Catholic Charities as a core strategic partner, and the two organizations co-deliver services and share volunteer networks in the same NYC footprint.

Broad incumbents

• Goodwill Industries of Greater New York and Northern New Jersey: Large-scale workforce development and adult education nonprofit serving job seekers across the NYC metro area. Overlaps with Mercy Center's Adult Education and Workforce Development programs, though operating at significantly larger scale and broader geography.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCpx86sT7I3x4f4ekS1h2lcw
• Facebookfacebook.com/MercyCenterBronx
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mercy-center
• Instagraminstagram.com/mercy_center_bronx

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Mercy Center