A number of excellent initiatives presently operating very successfully in the city originated in the dreams of some Sisters. In collaboration with others, they aimed to empower people to do something to enhance the quality of their lives and to better the circumstances in which they and their families were living. Among these are the following:

Strathfoyle Women’s Activity Group

The late Sister Gertrude Gallagley R.I.P. was the inspiration behind the setting up of Strathfoyle Women’s Activity Group. This began in 1986 in response to needs expressed in the local area. The Centre offers individuals the opportunity to make a better future for themselves and their children through the provision of various educational, social and leisure programmes. It works closely with Health and Social Services and other professional groupings to support the needs of vulnerable individuals and families living in the area. Today the Centre is so successful that it continues to attract significant funding from many agencies.

The Resource Centre, Derry

The vision for the Resource Centre originated with Sister Anna Doherty, who ploughed a new furrow in 1974, leaving teaching to undertake training in Youth and Community Development. She opened the Resource Centre to address the needs of the newly developed communities of Carnhill and Shantallow. The Centre catered for a variety of needs, ranging from those of young families to those of the elderly. The Resource Centre today continues to offer many community–based services such as Care of the Elderly, Welfare Rights information, provision of Meals on Wheels and a Community shop. Other agencies such as Sure Start avail of these premises.

The Community Shop

Preparing meals at the Resource Centre

Clarendon Street Shelter

The seeds of Clarendon Street Shelter were sown by a number of Sisters of Mercy who, in collaboration with Good Shepherd Sisters, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Methodist City Mission, N.S.P.C.C. and Salvation Army, sought to address the plight of women and children, homeless as a result of domestic violence. The Shelter was established in 1977. This work continues unabated today.

Lifestart

Sr. Dolores McGuinness was a partner in setting up the ‘Lifestart’ project in the Ballymagroarty area of Derry in the mid-1980’s. It was one of two such “early years” projects, the other located in a Gaeltacht area in the West of Ireland. From these small acorns there has been much growth. Today there are six Lifestart projects in Northern Ireland, including Derry, nine in the Republic of Ireland, eleven in Macedonia and one in Zambia.

A child learning through play

Lifestart Mission Statement

Educating and empowering parents of children from birth to the age of five so that these children are enabled to reach their full potential.

The Centre of Creative Energy was set up in Derry on the 24th October, 1994. Sister Winnie Lynott was co-ordinator of the Centre and she was supported in this by the Sisters of Mercy, Derry. The Gate Lodge at Thornhill was the venue. The aim of the Centre was to provide at an affordable cost, counselling/psychotherapy, complementary therapy and group activities for human development.

The Centre went from strength to strength with numerous people benefitting from the services on offer. 46B Racecourse Road became the venue in 2002 and company status was obtained in 2005. In April 2011, the Centre under new management, became the Aurora Counselling Centre where it continues to provide much needed services in the Derry Area and beyond.

Fundraising is carried out throughout the year by Mercy Sisters. Its purpose is to make a difference to the quality of life, education and living conditions of many poor children and their families in Kenya, Haiti, India, Sudan, Zambia, Cambodia, Chile, and Peru. Through her involvement, Sister Ann Doherty has the support of many parishioners at Holy Family Parish in Ballymagroarty and beyond in this work. Parishioners learn through photographic displays at the church and written accounts from abroad how their contributions are making a difference as these photographs show:

Money from people in Derry changed this

To this……Thank You!

Meal-time at St. Catherine’s School, Mukuru slums, Nairobi, Kenya

School children in Bareilly, India

Another school being built in Cambodia

Sister Deirdre Mullan, founder of “Mercy Reaches Mercy” in 1992, works with numerous schools in Derry, the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom and the United States to support projects which aim to alleviate poverty. This is achieved through the building of schools and the provision of scholarships in those countries where Mercy Sisters work. These ‘scholarships’ make a significant difference to the lives of the children.

Derry Colleges involved in “Mercy reaches Mercy” are: St. Mary’s, Thornhill, St. Cecelia’s, St. Peter’s, St. Brigid’s and St. Columb’s. To date, twelve schools have been built in Cambodia; water in three of the schools has been paid for by students of St. Columb’s College and bicycles have been provided by the students in St. Brigid’s College to help students living in remote areas, to get to school. Currently, St. Mary’s is fundraising for the building of a school in the slums of Makuru, Nairobi, Kenya.

“Mercy reaches Mercy” is a not-for–profit organisation affiliated with the United Nations Working Group on Girls. It is involved in a student leadership programme, helping to train today’s students with the skill-sets and focus to make a difference. Its motto is ‘It is not enough to be COMPASSIONATE – you must ACT.’

Supporting Members of the Travelling Community

Since the 1960’s Sisters Deirdre Mary O’Neill, Teresa McLaughlin and Michael Byrne have been involved, with others, in addressing the needs of the Travelling Community. The Community’s needs have changed significantly over time. Initially, more basic needs such as housing, adequate clothing and access to education were paramount. Today, there is greater need for the kind of emotional support that will empower members of the Travelling Community to realise their potential.

Samaritans

Sisters have been involved from the beginning with the Samaritan organisation in Derry and continue as active members today. Samaritans provide confidential, non-judgemental, emotional support 24 hours a day for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair or who are feeling suicidal.

St. Vincent de Paul

The Society is committed to helping those in need, regardless of religious beliefs or lifestyle. As members they seek to co-operate in making a more just and compassionate society. Sisters have been involved as members of St. Vincent de Paul over many years in their local areas. The work of the local parish groups involves:

• A weekly meeting to deal with requests that have come in
• Visiting the various homes that request money, food or clothing
• Organising an annual Summer outing for Pensioners
• At Christmas giving vouchers to needy families
• Assembling hampers for old people living alone