The Sisters of Mercy have established a rich legacy of meeting the basic needs of people in creative, compassionate and innovative ways. The New York, Pennsylvania, Pacific West Community offers social services to help women, children, the poor, homeless and the elderly.

Our social service ministries include: Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, which spans Buffalo, Erie, Pittsburgh and Rochester; Mercy Hilltop Center, Inc., Erie; McAuley Herbal Ministries and McAuley Center, Philippines; Mercy Neighborhood Ministries, Pittsburgh area; and Mercy Outreach Center, Steuben County Rural Ministry and St. Michael’s Workshop, Rochester area.

Mercy Hilltop Center. Inc., Erie, is a multi-purpose senior center that provides a variety of activities, services and programs for the elderly. Through its programs and services, it enhances the quality of life for seniors. The center is accredited by the National Institute of Senior Citizens. The Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (GRG) programs ‒ administered by the center ‒ are committed to serving grandparents in Erie, Pittsburgh, Buffalo and Rochester. These programs grant opportunities for fellowship, awareness and education for those faced with raising a second family. GRG works with multi-cultural populations and have combined our efforts so that we can directly impact each of our communities.

At McAuley Herbal Clinic, Philippines, poor women supplement their family income by working together to make and sell soap and candles. Herbal medicines are made available and affordable to poor families unable to afford commercial medications. The clinic offers women basic health education, skills with herbal medicines and counsel in the feeding of malnourished children. Pregnant mothers receive nutritious food. The main purpose of the clinic is to empower women to counteract the effects of globalization. For more information, contact Sister Hilda Jimenez, coordinator, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . A Sister of Mercy and her staff create a safe environment at McAuley Center, Philippines, for women and children fleeing a life of total despair. These victims, some as young as three-years-old, are given a safe home in which to stay, plus services complete with psychiatric evaluation and follow-up care. For more information, contact Sister Nimfa Exchaure, director, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Sister Fidelis McDonough, coordinator  of Mercy Neighborhood Ministries, Pittsburgh, makes certain the material and spiritual needs of children and families living in the area surrounding the Convent of Mercy are met. Through self-help groups in the neighborhood, this ministry also promotes interaction among the elderly and responds to neighbourhood daycare programs for pre-schoolers. Students at nearby Carlow University participate in this program by mentoring teens as they prepare for college and careers. Carlow students also participate in a service-learning program by visiting the homes of elderly women in the neighborhood to perform a variety of chores.

The mission of Mercy Outreach Center, Rochester, is to support and empower the physical, social, emotional and spiritual well-being of children, women and men. Volunteers and a staff provide access to health care, dental care and advocacy services for the uninsured and underserved.

Located in one of the poorest counties of New York State, Steuben County Rural Ministry, Canisteo, responds to emergency requests for food, clothing, medicine, transportation, household goods and financial assistance to those in need. This ministry strives to give witness to the Gospel message of serving the poor ‒ a directive that Catherine McAuley, our founder, included in our fourth vow. For more information, contact Sister Susan Cain, director/administrator at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

St. Michael's Woodshop, Rochester, provides services to the poor, uneducated and all seeking the fullness of life. The woodshop is committed to providing a Christian approach to these goals: offering work-training programs to inner-city youth that will lead to gainful employment, instilling work ethics and developing basic work skills, supporting those less fortunate to obtain equal justice in all aspects of community life, and working in concert with the civic community to enhance the lifestyle of all in the community ‒ especially youth. For more information, contact Sister Virginia Taylor at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it