About Mercy Care Services
Taking Health Care Where It’s Need Most
Mercy Care Services was created in 1985 by volunteer nurses and physicians and grew from modest beginnings into a medical home; that provides an efficient, integrated system of primary health care, education and social services reaching thousands of persons in need throughout Atlanta each year.
CLICK HERE to read our 2010 Annual Report
Facts about Mercy Care Services
- Saint Joseph's Mercy Care Services is one of Atlanta's oldest and largest community outreach programs serving persons experiencing homelessness, uninsured and immigrant populations in Atlanta.
- Mercy Care Services was created in 1985 to continue the community outreach in downtown Atlanta begun by the Sisters of Mercy in 1880 when they established Atlanta's first permanent hospital, Saint Joseph's. Mercy Care Services is part of Saint Joseph's Health System and sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy.
- Saint Joseph's Mercy Care services provided medical and dental services to more than 10,300 people in 2010.
- Mercy Care Services is the primary medical care partner for the 24/7 Gateway Center, a project of the Atlanta Regional Commission on Homelessness.
- Atlanta's first recuperative care program was opened in 2008 by Mercy Care Services at partner agency the 24/7 Gateway Center to provide persons without housing who were being discharged from Grady Hospital a safe place to recuperate. The 19-bed unit also provides case management during patient stays that increases self-sufficiency, stability and ultimately housing opportunities.
- Mercy Care Services has two fixed locations: 424 Decatur Street in downtown Atlanta and Mercy Clinic North in the Northeast Plaza Shopping Center on Buford Highway.
- Mercy Care Services also operates several mobile and satellite locations, among them St. Luke's Episcopal Church, the Atlanta (Women's) Day Shelter and the Atlanta Union Mission.
- Mercy Care Services provides social services and health education through its clinics and mobile units, as well as mental health assessment and case management at various sites and supportive services at the Edgewood for resident clients. Mercy Care staff at The Edgewood coordinate supportive services for 51 HIV+ residents.
- Mercy Care Services offers health education programs in prenatal care and parenting to Atlanta's Hispanic community.
- 270 volunteers donated 6,648 hours of service to Mercy Care Services in 2010.
- Funding for Mercy Care comes from a variety of public and private sources. Federal, state and city grants fund healthcare programs for persons who are experiencing homelessness or living with HIV/AIDS and for HIV outreach services. Other sources of revenue come from corporations, foundations, individuals, Saint Joseph's Health System and the WINGS organization of Saint Joseph's Hospital.
