Fresh Mercy Paths

St Michael’s Family Centre Baulkham Hills has had, over many years, a recognised history for providing care and support for women and children who are at risk of homelessness as a result of domestic violence.

With the changing face of the Congregation, St Michael’s became unable to continue to provide direct assistance as in the past, so in early 2016 an ‘Invited Grants Program’ was inaugurated and titled ‘St Michael’s Fund’.

Through the work of a small committee comprising of two Mercy colleagues (Kerry Walshaw and Carol Harding) and two Sisters of Mercy (Margaret Harper and Margaret Sheppard), three organisations each year have been recipients of grants ranging from $A9,000 to $A20,000 to assist in their provision of direct services to women and children at risk and who live within the Greater Western Sydney and Hills District’s regions.

On August 11, 2017, three organisations received cheques to support their work which reached out in diverse ways to meet needs: Cumberland Women’s Health Centre,  Houses to Homes (Catherine’s Villa) and The Sanctuary, The Hills Women’s Community Shelter (Women’s Community Shelters). The presentation of cheques was incorporated into a celebratory morning tea, and each representative of the organisations spoke to her program with enthusiasm and appreciation.

It is envisaged that St Michael’s Fund will continue reaching out with arms of Mercy to women and children at risk in the spirit of Catherine McAuley and St Michael’s Family Centre tradition.