Mercy House
OUR STORY
When Father Jerome founded Mercy House more than 35 years ago, he began with a simple goal: to help ten men experiencing homelessness in downtown Santa Ana. What started as one man’s vision has grown into a movement of hope that now serves nearly 10,000 people each year and has helped more than 130,000 individuals find their way back home. Same organization. Same values. Greater reach.
When you think of Mercy House, think of the mother working tirelessly to give her children the childhood she never had. Think of the veteran, proud and resilient, trying to navigate a complicated system. Think of the senior who spent decades in the same home, now facing the uncertainty of where to go next. These are our neighbors and friends, and with your help, they find safety, support, and a path home.
As we look ahead, our mission remains clear: to ensure that every person who turns to Mercy House can find a path home and the dignity they deserve.
Thank you for standing with us, for believing in the power of compassion, and for ensuring that Father Jerome’s vision continues to shine for generations to come.
Mission Statement
Mercy House exists to be a leader in ending homelessness by providing a unique system of dignified housing opportunities, programs, and supportive services. The goal of every one of our programs is simple: to end the homelessness of every person who enters our system of care.
Background Statement
Mercy House was founded in 1988 by Father Jerome T. Karcher with a vision to serve those in need in our community. In the belief that every person carries an inherent human dignity, and that homelessness is as an affront to that dignity; our mission, “to be a leader in ending homelessness by providing a unique system of dignified housing opportunities, programs, and supportive services,” drives every action that we take.
Since Mercy House opened our first shelter in 1990, we have expanded our programs and developed a complete system of care to meet the needs of the homeless in our community at every level. Our first employee, Larry Haynes, is the Chief Executive Officer. Mercy House has a staff of over 600 employees and operates shelters and programs across
Throughout our history, Mercy House’s growth has been fueled by the support of like-minded agencies who recognize the value of human dignity and the importance of restoring stability and self-sufficiency to those in need. Though the shape of Mercy House has changed over the years, from a single transitional shelter serving 10 men at a time, to an organization that spans counties and serves thousands of people each year, our vision remains the same: to end the homelessness of those who enter our system of care.
Impact Statement
In the fiscal year 2025-2026, we successfully ended or prevented the homelessness of 4,299 adults and children. Across all our programs, we served 8,445 individuals.Our work is long-lasting: 88% of individuals retained their housing after a year.
This year, we celebrated the opening of multiple shelters, including Casa Cacique in Santa Barbara, Senior Bridge in Phoenix, and Casa de Carmen in Oxnard.
Needs Statement
Mercy House is seeking community volunteers, schools, clubs, businesses, individuals, and groups to share their special talents and skills. If you are interested in volunteering, the first step is to connect with our Community Engagement Team to discuss your interests and time availability.
Visit our website or reach out to our Community Engagement Team to get started: engage@mercyhouse.net .
Geographic Areas Served
Mercy House offers programs in seven counties: Orange, Riverside, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Kern, and Ventura in California and Maricopa County, Arizona.
Top Three Populations Served
- Homeless Individuals
- People with Disabilities
- Veterans
Statement from the CEO/Executive Director
Homelessness is complicated. The need is real, and it continues to grow. But after more than 35 years of
doing this work, we know something else is true: people can move from homelessness to housing, and
from uncertainty to stability. We see it happen every single day. And it doesn’t happen by accident. It
happens because our staff show up, day after day, ready to do the hard work. It happens because volunteers
give their time and talents. It happens because our partners step up and stand beside us. And it happens
because people like you believe that ending homelessness is not only possible, but worth working for.
At Mercy House, numbers matter. They tell us whether our programs are working, where we are making
progress, and where we need to do better. But behind every number is a person. A person with a name.
A story. A family. A future. Our founder, Father Jerome Karcher, has always believed that every person is
created in the image of God. That belief is at the heart of who we are, and it continues to guide our work
today. We are not simply here to provide a bed or a roof. We are here to restore dignity, create opportunity,
and help people build a future they can believe in.
CONTACT
Mercy House
P.O. Box 1905
Santa Ana, CA 92702
Phone: 714-836-7188