Meet Mohamed
Mohamed is a history buff. He finds it so interesting that he is considering declaring it as his major in college, where he will soon begin his freshman year.
“I’ve taken on this little summer internship for electrical engineering, so I’m thinking about majoring in engineering too. But I feel like, you know, history and, you know, racial justice.
“Fifty years from now, I’m going to look back and remember this here specifically in the last year, just because coming to Denver was such a big experience for me.”
“There’s a lot I want to do… I’ve been learning a lot how the past still affects people of color now. I’ve been writing about it. My personal experiences, experiences of others I’ve heard. And then it went from this little thing I wanted to write to, like, ‘Oh yeah, now I’m writing multiple articles about it.’
“I’m going to try to get published by the end of this year in May, right before I graduate.”
Meet Rebecca
Rebecca has called Decatur Place home since 2012. The close proximity to both the hospital and essential stores has been a crucial support, especially as her daughter manages chronic asthma. Her faith plays a guiding role in her life, and she views this period as an opportunity for renewal.
“We were like living in the ICU… like on machines and everything. It was hard on me. I didn’t know what was going on at the time.
“When you’re not prepared for the unexpected, like car troubles, it can be very challenging and very hard. But it’s been good, like with her being so close to the hospital.
“God has just been showing mercy and mercy and mercy upon me, and then to be in a Mercy house, that’s just like, alright, God, I get you, I’m not going to keep taking your grace for granted—no more.
“And my rent and all that stuff have allowed me to be emotionally connected to my daughter because that’s the best way she can be, through our emotional love.”
Meet Vivian
As a single mom to a daughter on the Autism spectrum, Vivian’s road map is ever evolving. After years of trucking, she’s now driving for a ride-sharing company. The big rigs taught her resilience, but she’s happy to leave the complicated backing maneuvers in the rearview mirror. One thing’s certain — she’s always headed somewhere new.
“I had known about zTrip for a year, and then one day in February, I got a text that said, ‘Hey, are you still interested?’ And this is what I have been doing.
“Most of my clients are on Medicaid vouchers, RTD vouchers, and people in wheelchairs. I drive them to the store and help them with their shopping.
“We’ve got so many amazing neighbors who are just nice people who have had hard times in their lives.
Meet Angie
Angelines — Angie — tells stories in a way that draws you in with the rhythm and charm of her native Madrid. Now 72 years old, Angie knows exactly what she wants out of life: a constant supply of ginger ale, to be surrounded by the people and things that make her happy, and a place to cook every single day.
“I’m always cooking.
“I never bake, but I cook. I’m not a good baker. Now I made one time some cookies, and they were so hard that my granddaughter said, ‘Granny, this is like Frisbees.’
“I watch a lot of Food Network and YouTube on the telephone and I try [new recipes] all the time. I have a lot of recipes from home too. The food is so different here than there, you know. But I make the best of it.
“I am very happy. The only thing is, my health has gone out, but I don’t blame the potatoes.”
Help create homes, hope,
and a bunch of happy faces.
Meet Fatama
Fatama came to the United States as a refugee from The Gambia.
“I’m helping the newcomers. That’s not my job, but I always help them with communication. And that’s a good thing I can do for them.
“I show them how to go shopping for groceries. Show them how to catch the bus if they have an appointment, that kind of thing.
“It’s not easy to lead people, because we speak different languages, and have a different culture. But we manage to, you know.
We are all refugees, we understand each other.”
Meet Ivan
Ivan spoke at the grand opening celebration for Northfield Commons after moving into the brand-new community with his 9-year-old daughter.
“I was looking at maybe moving in with a friend or something and she said there are organizations that can help.
“I needed to do something right away, so I made all the phone calls and kept hitting roadblocks.
“And then I woke up one morning and there was a voicemail from the sweetest woman named Carol.
“I called her back and she says to me: ‘It’s your lucky day.’
“She explained that applications were opening for a new affordable housing development, so I’m like, ‘alright, let’s do it.’ and the next thing you know, it’s happening.”
“It was super important that she got to stay at her school [when we moved.] But it was more important that we got to stay together… the school is great because it’s our community.
I volunteer there and for another after-school program that does nature camps for kids under 12, as well as coach my daughter’s soccer team. So yeah, it was really important that we got to stay.
Meet April
April received her autism diagnosis while finishing up her associate’s degree in psychology. She lives in a permanent supportive Mercy Housing Mountain Plains community, where she is rebuilding her life.
“I literally came here with nothing. I took the bus to school. An hour and a half there, and an hour and a half back. It was a rough semester.
“I saved up, and now I have a vehicle. I can go visit my niece. A couple of the ladies here even call me for a ride, and I like that. I like helping my neighbors.”
“I didn’t find resources and help just so I could sit on the couch all day. I’ve never been one to be a couch potato. I play the ukulele and my 7-year-old niece likes to play too! It’s nice to have family come to my place.”
Meet Flo
Who finally feels at home after more than 20 years without a place of her own.
“I moved in nine months ago, but I feel like I’ve been here for years already. I’ve made lots of friends and we are always doing something. We have coffee club every day and it’s nice to have things to do.
“The only day I rest is Sunday, and I like it like that.”
“Flo and I became close due to our love of advocacy. We crave change and a challenge. She consistently volunteers for one of our services and is the vice president of the Resident Council.
“She is like family to me at work, she gives me hugs if I don’t show up in the morning with a smile on my face.”
— Yaritsa Castillo, Senior Case Manager at Mercy Housing
Help create homes, hope,
and a bunch of happy faces.
People of Mercy is a series celebrating the more than 3,000 people who call Mercy Housing Mountain Plains home. From seniors in Arizona to families across Utah, Colorado, South Dakota, Nebraska, Missouri, and Iowa, these stories give us a glimpse inside the lives of those we serve.
