For more than 40 years, the Sisters of Mercy have been a cornerstone of the Leviticus Fund, a nonprofit loan fund that provides flexible financing to low-income communities for affordable housing, community facilities, and childcare centers. The Sisters of Mercy co-founded Leviticus with other religious congregations, and several regional communities and later Communities of the Sisters of Mercy supported Leviticus. Sisters have also served on the board of directors, including Sister Rosemary Jeffries, current board president, and Sister Pat Wolf, a founding member and the first board president.
Mercy Partnership Fund has continued the Sisters of Mercy’s strong support of Leviticus and its impact investments benefiting low-income communities in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. In 2020, Mercy’s investment, along with the fund’s other investors, helped Leviticus support the development or preservation of more than 750 affordable homes and create almost 100 childcare and education seats. One of those projects is the Gateway Lofts Supportive Apartments in Jamestown, New York (pictured), scheduled to be completed later this year. Gateway Lofts will provide affordable housing, including for families and individuals facing homelessness, as well as supportive services offered to residents and the broader community by nonprofits in the project’s community service facilities.
Global Sisters Report recently highlighted Leviticus’ ongoing impact. Click here to read more.