Every boy and girl deserves a home where they are safe and loved. This is the very principle on which our mission was founded in 1887 and it lies at the core of our work to this day.

At Mercy Home for Boys & Girls, we are committed to:

• Offering a safe environment for children
• Providing children with therapeutic services to address the trauma of abuse
• Giving families the support they need to heal and end cycles of abuse
• Educating colleagues about the impact of abuse on children
• Helping the public learn to spot the signs of child abuse
• Engaging professionals and concerned individuals in abuse prevention

But we're only one organization caring for a limited number of children. Together with you, we can make a wider impact on this issue.

Join Mercy Home for Boys & Girls in helping end child abuse and neglect. Helps us give all kids a chance at a better future.

It’s a silent epidemic with very real consequences for our future. All across the United States, children suffer abuse and neglect at the hands of parents or other caregivers:

• At least 1 in 7 children has experienced child abuse and / or neglect in the past year, and this is probably an underestimate.
• In 2019, 1,840 children died from abuse and neglect in the United States.
• Abuse and neglect can have life-long after-effects, including mental illness, crime, substance abuse, low educational achievement and more.

Children living in poverty experience more abuse and neglect. 
 

• Experiencing poverty can place a lot of stress on families, which may increase the risk for child abuse and neglect. 
• Rates of child abuse and neglect are 5 times higher for children in families with low socioeconomic status compared to children in families with higher socioeconomic status.

Child maltreatment is costly.
 

• In the United States, the total lifetime economic burden associated with child abuse and neglect is approximately $428 billion. 
• This economic burden rivals the cost of other high-profile public health problems, such as stroke and type 2 diabetes.

How can you help?

Anyone can play a role in ending child abuse and neglect. But only knowledge can unlock solutions. The first step is making a commitment to learn about the issues.

By recognizing the signs of abuse or neglect, and engaging in a discussion with family and friends, we can help save young lives. We can influence others by our own example. We can advocate for policies and programs that promote healthy families. And we can support organizations that provide healing for children.

Sign our pledge now. Commit to becoming more aware of the issues behind child abuse, so you can help support children and families in crisis.

Mercy Home for Boys & Girls’ promotes awareness about the plight of abused or neglected children and supports solutions for families in crisis. Every year, thousands of volunteers and donors help to raise awareness as well as critical funds that give Mercy Home’s kids a safe, loving home, clothing, meals, and healing from traumatic pasts.