MERCY Communities, Inc. is moving into the large classroom wing of St. Joseph School in Springfield that runs parallel to North Fifth Street. The parish school, which opened in 1885 and was a dominant presence on the city's north end for generations, closed at the end of the 2012 school year.

The non-profit MERCY Communities (Mentors, Empowerment and Resource for Change in Young families) was founded in 1999 to help homeless mothers and their at-risk children with housing and support services to help foster independence.

Msgr. Thomas Holinga, St. Joseph pastor, announced the news in the church bulletin last month. "The parish, with diocesan approval, is leasing the 1955-built school wing to MERCY Communities. It will house the agency's administrative offices, counseling and education services."

The original building from 1885 still stands on the parish grounds and is used for parish events and for rental.

As sad and disappointing as it was to see the school closed, Msgr. Holinga said there is a bright spot in looking at what will be happening in the building.

"An otherwise vacant section of the building will be put to good use, most expenses will be covered and we will be assisting an organization that serves and strengthens families and children in need, a good continuation of the ministry begun with our parish school and meeting changing needs in our area of the city today. Welcome MERCY!" Msgr. Holinga wrote in the bulletin.

Many St. Joseph parishioners have been helping MERCY for several years, "donating household goods and furniture, tutoring, serving as mentors, and volunteering in other ways," Msgr. Holinga said.

Getting the building ready for its new renters was a team effort. The parish painted the interior rooms, hallways and offices, and MERCY installed carpeting throughout.

"We are thrilled to be able to consolidate our offices, now scattered in several places in the city, into a central location,"     said Deb Stonikas, MERCY executive director. "We will be able to offer moms a more permanent setting here where they can be in a classroom learning atmosphere. We have the space for skills training, there are cubicles for mentoring and tutoring, and we will be within walking distance or a short bus ride from where some of our moms and their children live in Enos Park."

The agency, whose motto is "A place to live, a way to grow," currently serves 31 moms and their 65 children.