Mercy House Living Centers

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.  

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. Today, Father Jerome remains the Chairman of our 25-member Board of Directors. Our first employee, Larry Haynes, remains our first and only Executive Director. Mercy House has a staff of over 500 employees and operates shelters and programs across Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside, and Ventura Counties in Southern California and Maricopa County, Arizona. 
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.

In the fiscal year 2023-2024, we successfully ended the homelessness of over 3,907 adults and children in Southern California and Arizona.

Mercy House operates in six different regions including Arizona, Riverside County, Kern County, Los Angeles County, Orange County, and Ventura County that include over thirty different programs including Outreach, Homeless Prevention, Rapid Rehousing, Emergency Shelter, and Permanent Housing programs.

With over a 96% success rate in our Permanent Supportive Housing programs, Mercy House's mission is simple: we help people find their way back home.

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.

In addition, you will be asked to provide general background information including paid or volunteer experience and any training you have completed.

Please reach out to our Community Engagement Team to get started!
website | mercyhouse.net/get-involved
email | engage@mercyhouse.net
  

Mercy House offers programs in six different regions including Arizona, Kern County, Los Angeles County, Orange County, Riverside County, and Ventura County. This spans across two states, seven counties, and thirty-three cities.

I am not sure that I have the vocabulary to adequately express my gratitude, both personally and professionally, for Father Jerome. Yes, we have worked side-by-side for over 30 years, impacting lives too numerous to count, it is my own singular life that I am considering at this precise moment. To speak plainly, I love him and I will miss our regular contact more than he can know.
But I am more inspired than ever to continue his good work.
And what good work it has been! When we started, the memory is almost laughable, we were operating out of a single house, serving ten men, with $25,000 in the bank, and no development plan. Fast forward to today where we are serving and ending the homelessness of thousands of people every year, spread over seven counties, served by six hundred staff. Our goal has never been to grow, but to simply be obedient to God’s call.
We are indeed blessed to be in the capable hands of our new leadership, Board Chair Ray Bukaty, Vice-Chair Tim Clyde, and our entire committed Board of Directors. As Mercy House evolves into a major force in the effort to end homelessness, we could not be in better hands.
Again, we are inspired to carry out Fr. Jerome’s legacy. There is so much good news to come. Stay with us!