On a mercy mission to rescue lives

Mercy Ministries Australia is a not-for-profit Christian charity committed to helping young women facing life-controlling issues. Often Mercy Ministries is their last hope. Our approach is to provide a holistic, residential program which attempts to address the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of these young women.

There are complex challenges in caring for young women with eating disorders, low self-esteem and suicidal tendencies, for women who have suffered abuse and engage in self harm.

Many of the women who voluntarily come to our program have struggled with one or more of these issues over an extended period of time, and have come to the point where they know they can no longer fight it on their own.

Sadly, there are young women who don't see the program through. Articles in the Herald last week reflected the views of some of these women. However, this is not everyone's experience. The program has been a great help to a large and growing number of people.

Mercy Ministries is an independent charity founded 25 years ago in the United States by Nancy Alcorn, a woman whose work in juvenile justice brought her into contact with secular programs which did not produce permanent results or change lives.

Mercy Ministries is not owned or run by Hillsong Church. Hillsong, along with other churches, organisations and individuals, makes annual donations to our work. Like any other not-for-profit organisation, we do seek the support of sponsors, which include Gloria Jean's Coffees.

As a Christian charity we believe in the teachings of the Bible, and that God loves all people unconditionally and all life is sacred. Our program reflects this statement. Claims of exorcism are simply untrue. We address the spiritual needs of young women, and prayer is one aspect of this.

We provide all residents with total access to medical specialists, including psychiatrists, general practitioners and psychologists. Our counselling staff are carefully recruited, hold tertiary qualifications and undergo ongoing professional development.

We strongly promote the girls' independence, social interaction and regular contact with their families.

We work closely with Centrelink where a young woman is eligible for benefits. This amount goes a small way to providing 24-hour care, seven days a week for these young women.

While we carefully interview our girls before entry, outlining what they can expect during their time with us, there are some girls who may request to leave of their own accord.

There are also a number of circumstances where we would ask someone to leave the program due to behavioural issues - including ongoing physical and verbal aggression that prevents us from fulfilling our duty of care in a residential setting. We have a fair process in place to handle this. In some cases, young women may return to continue the program.

We remain strongly committed to offering an excellent care program and continually improving what we do. Since the articles went to print, we have received an overwhelming response from supporters, graduates, family members, and the wider community. One of these graduates, Carly Thomson, wanted to share her positive story with others:

"Mercy Ministries provided fully qualified professionals who counselled me through my personal challenges, gave me self-worth, strength and practical tools to help me continue to live a regular and healthy life.

"There was not one single time that a member of staff abused me physically, mentally or emotionally. The staff would always support, guide and uplift me. Every young woman who entered the program at Mercy Ministries knew that they were free to leave at any time. No one was ever held there against their will.

"Today I am a healthy and confident young woman. I finished a university degree in primary school teaching/special education and am now working as a full-time teacher. I was married in December 2006 and am in a healthy and loving relationship.

"I have just started to study psychology and bought my first home in January. Life is better than I could have ever imagined it to be because of the help that Mercy Ministries provided to me."