The 2019 10th Anniversary Power of Home Breakfast was a record-breaking event! This year’s event explored the importance of Housing as a platform for education and equity, with Keynote Speaker Clint Smith, Educator and Author of ‘Counting Descent’ and Co-host of the podcast, ‘Justice in America’.

Having access to onsite after-school programs and educational resources provided the opportunities for youth residents, Gerson, Rolando, and Esmeralda to all attend college this fall.

With the help of our supporters, we raised $310K (and counting!) for resident services programs. Resident speaker, Gerson, spoke of how onsite educational programs, like Homework Club, provided an avenue for him to develop literacy, language, and math skills. “It has been seven years since I moved to my Mercy Housing community, where not only was I able to have a home and a place to study, but a place where hope was provided.”

Below is our event video featuring MHNW residents, Esmeralda, Rolando, and Sainabou with her twin sons. We hope you’ll take a moment to view the video and share with friends and colleagues.

To our Table Captains: thank you for helping us rally new and old friends to fill the ballroom with over 600 guests!

To our returning and first-time Event Sponsors: your generous contribution made it possible for all donations to benefit resident services. We are thankful for your support of Mercy Housing’s mission to create stable, vibrant, and healthy communities.

To our Program Participants: a special thank you to MHNW board member, Judy Byron, OP and MHNW residents Sainabou, Esmeralda, and Rolando. We would also like to recognize our speakers and special guests: Faith Pettis, resident speaker Gerson, and keynote speaker Clint Smith.

To all of our board members, staff, event volunteers, community supporters, and esteemed guests, we appreciate you for joining us Friday morning in support of residents and families!

This year’s keynote speaker, Clint Smith, shared some powerful words through his poem “Place Matters.” His message resonates with all of us here at Mercy Housing Northwest, as we continue to build our communities in high opportunity areas near transit, so that residents have equal access to local resources and amenities that will help them thrive.

Clint reminded us Friday morning that we all came together in support of one cause — “It’s not about charity, it’s about justice.” As we continue to make housing a platform for education and equity, we are honored to have all of YOU, our greatest supporters by our side.

If you missed the chance to give at the event, you can still support our Resident services programs. Donate here>

Check out photos from the event on our MHNW Facebook page!