Mary’s Mercy Center Broke Ground on Mary’s Village

Mary’s Mercy Center Broke Ground on Mary’s Village

San Manuel Band of Mission Indians provided $7.3 million grant to establish first
homeless transitional center for men in San Bernardino

Highland, Calif. (January 9, 2019) – Leadership from Mary’s Mercy Center, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, County of San Bernardino and City of San Bernardino celebrated the groundbreaking of Mary’s Village, the first transitional housing complex for men experiencing homelessness in San Bernardino.

Building site for Phase I and Phase II of Mary’s Village, located at 256 S. Artesian Avenue in San Bernardino.

During the ceremony, San Manuel Business Committee members presented a $7.3 million check to Mary’s Mercy Center leadership for the construction of Mary’s Village.

“In our early years, the Catholic church helped provide food and basic needs to our Tribe,” said San Manuel Secretary, Ken Ramirez. “It is an honor to continue our longstanding partnership with Mary’s Mercy Center to establish Mary’s Village, which will provide those same basic needs to the homeless male population in San Bernardino.”

San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Business Committee members present $7.3 million check to Mary’s Mercy Center leadership, Father Michael Barry and Mike Hein.

With over 32 percent of residents in the City of San Bernardino living below the federal poverty line, this facility will serve approximately 100 homeless men in the central San Bernardino area. The groundbreaking marked the start of Phases I and II of Mary’s Village, which will be located at 256 S. Artesian Avenue in San Bernardino.

This four-phase comprehensive program is the first of its kind in the area that will provide short-term transitional housing, vocational education, job training, comprehensive case management and other customized services to change the path of homeless men from homelessness to self-sufficiency.

Mary’s Village Golden Shovel ceremony with leadership from Bishop Gerald Barnes, San Bernardino County Supervisor Josie Gonzales and leadership from San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, Mary’s Mercy Center.

Rendering of Mary’s Village, which is scheduled to open in 2020.

About Partnership:

Since the early 1990’s Mary’s Mercy Center has been providing high quality services to individuals experiencing homelessness in San Bernardino. In 1992, Mary’s Mercy Center (MMC) purchased its present facility for food provision and support services.

San Manuel Band of Mission Indians has supported Mary’s Mercy Center for several years. In 1993, MMC purchased an old convent that eventually became Veronica’s Home of Mercy in San Bernardino.  San Manuel supported the construction of Veronica’s Home of Mercy, which provides housing and other supportive services for woman and their children experiencing homelessness. I San Manuel is proud to continue its partnership with Mary’s Mercy Center, an organization serving men in the region.

About the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians

The San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians is a federally recognized American Indian tribe located near the city of Highland, Calif. The Serrano Indians are the indigenous people of the San Bernardino highlands, passes, valleys and mountains who share a common language and culture. The San Manuel reservation was established in 1891 and recognized as a sovereign nation with the right of self-government. As an indigenous community the origins and history of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians stem from our relationship with the land and to all who share it. Since ancient times we have expressed ourselves through a culture of giving. Today, San Manuel is able to answer the call of Yawa’ (Serrano word meaning “to act on one’s beliefs”) through partnerships with charitable organizations. We have drawn upon our history, knowledge, expertise and cultural values to direct our philanthropic giving in our local region, as well as to Native American causes nationwide. For more information, visit http://www.sanmanuel-nsn.gov.