For over 40 years, the Sisters of Mercy have worked in partnership with residents of the Tioga-Nicetown community in North Philadelphia. This collaborative effort has resulted in quality programming: Childcare (Education & Youth Development) – a licensed child daycare program with a Head Start component for pre-school and an after school program through 8th grade children with a capacity of 140, Adult day care – a licensed program for the elderly and those with special needs with a capacity of 57, our Adult Education and Human Development program which includes adult education services, computer education, workforce development, and leadership development for women. In 1997 Mercy Neighborhood Ministries (Mercy Neighbors) was founded, incorporated in 2003, purchased an abandoned warehouse in 2005, renovated it and opened the Mercy Family Center in January 2009.  The Mercy Family Center is the first LEED green building in North Philadelphia; one of now 42 in Philadelphia certified silver level by the U.S. Green Building Council. As a green building it has a positive impact on the community environment, saving natural resources, utilizing natural lighting, and serving as a model that promotes environmental awareness in the Tioga-Nicetown neighborhood and throughout the ‘sustainable design’ community. To our children, adults and frail elderly it is a safe, nurturing home away from home providing critical social services.