I’d like to start to share with my followers some of the charities that myself and Community Mortgage Movement are involved with.One of the charities I work with is Merrymount.
Merrymount is a family support and crisis centre and their focus is on helping children by supporting their families in a time of crisis or transition. The ultimate goal of this charity is to provide supports and services so that families can stay together. Believe or not, it is the only centre of its kind in Canada!
Merrymount has been providing programs and services to London’s families and children for 142 years. Merrymount Children’s Centre was established back in 1874 as the Protestant Home for Orphans, Aged and Friendless. When the child welfare system took responsibility for the wardship of orphans in the 1890s, the Home began to shift its focus on residential care for children of families in crisis or transition. A new home was built as a Centennial project in 1967 and when the centre opened, the name Merrymount was adopted to reflect its non-denominational approach. The facility is located on 1064 Colborne Street and was built back in 1991.
They help to service over 8,000 families each year within the London, St. Thomas and Woodstock area. Some of the services that they offer include: round-the-clock programs for safer overnight care, education and prevention programs for adults and children, Is a partner in the City of London’s Social Services Network and London’s Child and Youth Network and is often the first place a family in crisis is referred.
Merrymount also provides families with building on their own strengths, provides resources, counselling, emergency child care and support and navigation of difficult life circumstances through their 8 different programs: Family and Child Support Program, Crisis Residential/Respite Program, Parenting Groups, Children’s Groups, Supervised Access, All Kids Belong, The Ontario Early Years Centre and the Community Outreach Program
If you or anyone you know is experiencing a family in crisis, contact or call them today at 519-434-6848.
If you would like to help out Merrymount or attend one of their fundraising events be sure to check out their upcoming events and help our community or if you are unable to attend they do accept donations through their website.