As providers of 13 residential care facilities for intellectually and developmentally disabled individuals in Brooklyn, Queens, and in Nassau County, Mercy Home’s caring and dedicated staff pride themselves on elevating each resident’s inherent dignity, enabling a life filled with learning and love. Mercy Home designs its homes to promote the independence and autonomy of its residents, leading to its focus on #AbilityOverDisability.
One of the special services Mercy Home provides to support the abilities of its residents is the Gifted Artists Program. This program provides a creative outlet for individuals who share their ideas and thoughts through art. It began in 2006 with a small group of residents who expressed an interest in the arts. Today, with the guidance of a licensed and board certified art therapist, 17 residents participate in weekly classes. The therapy sessions boost fine motor coordination and communication skills and help the resident students explore different types of creative drawing, painting, and assembling.
An exciting moment occurred in January when Mercy Home resident Jahlel won a Brooklyn Arts Council grant for his photographic project “Through My Eyes.” With this grant, Jahlel can continue his artistic growth, expressing a changing internal landscape through his photos of buildings and Brooklyn street scenes. He plans to use his award for photography classes, supplies, to create a collection of photos, and to travel to photograph new places. In an environment that focuses on Jahel’s incredible abilities, rather than his limitations, he can continue to expand his horizons even further!
I am proud to support Mercy Home as a board member, and thrilled that Proskauer has chosen to be a supporter of the Gifted Artists Program. If you would like learn more about this amazing place and program, please visit https://www.mercyhomeny.org/.