Sunny Sacramento has three sites where Mercy Volunteers can be placed. Meghan O’Hara is serving at Loaves and Fishes this year in several of the different programs offered and Julie Sharp is working at Clean and Sober. The third site is Mercy Housing.

Julie Sharp (left) is a 2007 graduate of Villanova University. Meghan O'Hara (right) is a 2007 graduate of Mercyhurst College.

As the capital of California, Sacramento is beautiful.  There are many parks around the area and our house this year is just blocks from the capital building.  It has been great living in the city because it’s easy to get around.  Many places are within walking distance and if they’re a little too far to walk, we can easily bike.  The weather is generally pretty nice: certainly warmer than the east coast but a little wetter.  As a result of the warmer weather, the homeless population is relatively large; providing Meghan and Julie with exposure and an opportunity to learn about a culture they were not accustomed too.

The one thing that is surprising about Sacramento is how small and quiet a city it is.  There aren’t many large buildings or large apartments but rather it is comprised mostly of houses split into apartments.  Coming from busier East Coast environments, it has been difficult to slow down and adjust to this quieter environment but after our five months here, it is getting a little easier.

The Sisters of Mercy have a large presence in the community.  They celebrated their 150th year Anniversary in the city of Sacramento and also had a statue put up at the Capitol building of their foundress.  During Old Sac days, the Sisters of Mercy put on a reenactment celebration of their first landing in Sacramento, 150 years ago.  We have daily contact with Sister Libby, who leads through example as the Executive Director of Loaves and Fishes, while the other sisters also play prominent roles in the Sacramento community.

Pictured above, MVC Volunteer Meghan O'Hara with S. Libby Fernandez.

Loaves & Fishes is a one-of-a-kind organization for homeless men, women, and children.  Upon first thought, one might guess it is a place filled with sad and broken people, but it is quite the contrary.  As one of the guests has described it, it is often “the happiest place on earth.” Homeless guests range in number from 300-900 (more at the end of the month) that come for daily meals, showers, legal and medical care, and a place they have come to call their “home.”  Meghan works in three (the dining room, Maryhouse, and Friendship Park) of the twelve programs that Loaves & Fishes run. Maryhouse is a daytime shelter for women and children where they can take showers, eat breakfast, get mail, use the telephones, and work with case managers.  Friendship Park is a park where guests can come to play games, rest, and just “be.” 

Clean and Sober is a program that works with homeless men and women who are struggling with a drug and/or alcohol addiction.  Clean and Sober was once a part of Loaves and Fishes and still has the main office located at Loaves and Fishes.  There are also three off site residential areas with housing for about 120 individuals.  Two of the communities house more structured programs while the last is transitional living for individuals who have already completed the program.  Julie works at Clean and Sober now and works in the office doing intakes and assessments and also out at the programs helping the residents with anything that comes up.

Sacramento Tamale Festival where Clean and Sober helped to
make the World’s largest tamale!

Mercy Housing California is a national, not-for-profit organization which responds to the need for affordable housing for people who are economically poor. The goal of Mercy Housing is to create stable, vibrant and healthy communities by developing, financing, and operating affordable, program-enriched housing for families, seniors and people with special needs.  The Resident Services Program at Mercy Housing complexes offers residents opportunities aimed at enhancing education, guiding children, acquiring job skills, improving career options, and living healthy lives.  The volunteer will work at sites of the Resident Services Program to provide resources and foster leadership in implementing community and resident programs.