The Franklin Avenue Mission in Flint, Michigan, has purchased a residence next door to the mission, and is seeking funds to redesign, renovate, refurbish, and furnish the residence. Named Mercy House for Women and Children, the facility will house six to eight homeless, pregnant, and/or abused women and their children. Located in one of the poorest cities in America, the home will attempt to break the cycle of poverty and decrease the potential for abuse, by housing women and children in a safe, caring, Christian environment, where the best practices of parenting and relationship building can be modeled and taught.
Future home for women and children — an extension of Franklin Avenue Mission. The Mission purchased this abandoned house adjacent to its site where interior demolition is completed. Plans are underway to redesign, remodel and add on to the structure.
WHEREAS, Christ in His Holy Word challenges His followers to humble ourselves and serve the underserved, spiritually, physically, and emotionally; and
WHEREAS, Flint, Michigan, one of the poorest cities in America, where 46% of the general population and 66% of the children live below the poverty line, with Flint’s east side at 80% below poverty level; and
WHEREAS, Women and children are a part of this vulnerable population; and
WHEREAS, The Franklin Avenue Mission is sustained entirely by member congregations and individual donations and volunteers; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the delegates gathered at the 2017 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League Convention in Albuquerque, New Mexico, vote the sum of $100,000 to help fund The Mercy House for Women and Children in Flint, Michigan.
Franklin Avenue Mission
North view of Mercy House shows siding, roof structure and cement block basement.
South view of Mercy House overlooking green space slated to become playground area connecting to the Mission.
Back of Mercy House (where addition will be) shows side porch that connects to front deck.
