Mercy Neighborhood Ministries (MNM) is a non-sectarian, not for profit organization that has served the Tioga neighborhood of North Philadelphia for over 25 years. It is the only social service provider in one of the most neglected sections of Philadelphia. T

he Ministries’ programs were developed in partnership with Tioga’s residents in order to address their needs. The Ministries operates a triad of programs including School Age Childcare, Adult Day Programs and Adult Education/Human Development Programs, but brings a special focus to providing childcare to the working poor.

MNM is a fundamental building block in the effort to preserve and sustain the Tioga community. In January, 2009 MNM opened the Mercy Family Center at 1939 West Venango Street, in the heart of the Tioga. The 32,000 square foot facility was designed using LEED protocols and, while the project’s LEED certification is still in the review process, it is anticipated that the Center will achieve LEED Certification, with a possible Silver Rating.

The Mercy Family Center was constructed in order to provide a new, state of the art facility that would consolidate, for the first time, all of the Ministries’ programmatic and administrative activities under one roof. The bold move to turn five interconnected, underutilized warehouse structures into a high-quality, energy efficient community asset reflects MNM’s commitment to serve the people of Tioga and to do it in an environmentally sensitive and sustainable manner.

The facility is handicapped accessible and has separate entrances for the adult and child care programs. Spaces include: classrooms, computer lab, playground in a light-filled courtyard (that was carved out of the voluminous warehouse space), adult meeting and activity rooms and an auditorium that can serve as a community gathering place. All these spaces are reached by generous interior “streets” that are naturally lit by a series of light monitors that are located at skylight locations that had been previously roofed over.

A solar fountain is also planned at the entrance. This fountain is being designed by students from Philadelphia University and will feature water jets powered by solar panels. The inclusion of student designers into the project is but one example of a collaborative design process that was organized to bring together the diverse talents and experiences of architects, engineers, contractors, MNM’s professional staff and neighborhood residents to produce a design that responded to the hopes and needs of those operating and using the Center while employing the best in sustainable design strategies.

The Mercy Family Center is the physical embodiment of Mercy Neighborhood Ministries’ commitment to sustaining and enhancing the Tioga neighborhood. The Ministries’ audacious decision to complete what is believed to be the first LEED certified building in North Philadelphia is a striking demonstration of how social programs and architecture can come together to promote and build sustainable communities.

The Mercy Neighborhood Ministries and the Mercy Neighborhood Center represent a rare case in which both the social programs being run by an organization and the facility in which they are housed represent the best aspects of sustainability. The programs run by the Ministries, as described elsewhere in this submission, represent a continuing, long-term commitment to provide a variety of social services, educational programs and community enrichment opportunities that would otherwise be unavailable to the residents of Tioga.

It is the core mission of Mercy Neighborhood Ministries to help insure that this neighborhood remains a viable, sustainable place for people to live. In this regard, Mercy Neighborhood Ministries represents the best aspects of urban sustainability. In this regard alone, the Mercy Neighborhood Ministries would be deserving of a Philadelphia Sustainability Award, but their construction of the Mercy Family Center as a LEED Certified project takes the organization’s commitment to sustainability to another level.

Some of the sustainable strategies employed in the design of the facility include:

• With the reuse of an existing, underutilized building complex, the reclamation of an old industrial brownfield site and the removal of on site environmental hazards this project takes advantage not only of these structures but also of the existing urban fabric that exists outside its doors.

• The generous use of natural light throughout the facility by opening up roofed over skylights to create new light monitors and also by opening up bricked in window openings and installing new, energy efficient insulated windows.

• The creation of a new exterior play space by removing a portion of the warehouse roof to provide a protected exterior environment for play and to allow natural light to reach more of the interior areas of the building.

• The installation of a new, energy efficient mechanical system and the installation of operable windows.

• The use of low-flow and low-flush fixtures that allow for a 40% reduction in water use. This results in an anticipated savings of 46,000 gallons of potable water/year over baseline buildings.

• The installation of new white (cool) roof and wall insulation.

• The replacement of a paved parking lot along Venango Street with a native plant garden and the creation of a courtyard play area provided approximately 4,500 square feet of pervious area on a site that was previously 100% impervious.

• The creation of the native plant garden reduces the heat island effect and is planted with drought resistant native and adapted plant species. The garden requires no artificial irrigation that results in additional savings of potable water.

• The use of non-polluting building finishes throughout the interior that contributes to a healthy indoor environment.

• The use of construction materials that are regionally manufactured and processed and contain recycled content. This results in the reduction of the use of energy required to manufacture and transport these materials to the site.

• The use of construction methods that reduced the amount of construction waste and recycled that waste. This project directed 95% of its construction debris from landfills to be recycled for other uses.

• The planned installation of a solar fountain that will provide a visual demonstration for visitors and staff of the central role that sustainability plays in the Center.

• The implementation of a plan to conduct educational tours and install signage that will feature the sustainable features of the project.

• The publication of a monthly newsletter “Keeping It Green” that highlights the sustainability strategies used on this project and educates the community about sustainability.

• The inclusion of a computer center in the building to educate the neighborhood’s student and adult population, thereby making Tioga more sustainable by lessening the technological divide that so often exists between the residents and other, more affluent areas.

This list demonstrates how MNM has enhanced and expanded their core mission not only by building a sustainable Center but also by integrating sustainable strategies and promoting a consistent message in their educational and outreach programs that sustainable living matters and will enhance and strengthen the community. By making service to community their highest priority and by insisting that their new headquarters be a green building, Mercy Neighborhood Ministries and the Mercy Family Center embody the very qualities that the Philadelphia Sustainability Award is intended to honor. It is for these reasons that this organization and this building are deserving of a Philadelphia Sustainability Award.

Mercy Neighborhood Ministries demonstrates our commitment to sustainability, beyond completing what we believe will be the first LEED accredited building in North Philadelphia. MNM firmly believes that education is a key to success, and recognizes the need for “green” education among our staff and community. Our action plan is Living Green in Tioga that incorporates methods that are diversified, age appropriate and tailored to meet the needs of program participants. The curriculum for the workshops is Kids For Saving the Earth.

Our education programs will expand and ensure sustainability in our building and sustainable living in the community we serve:

• By February 2009 the MNM staff will have completed an orientation/training on the new, “green” facility and the environmental educational opportunities planned for program participants under their care.

• By December 2009, 250 children and 90 adults will:

    o have a deeper understanding of the individual and the environment and be able to identify environmental issues.

    o understand the relationship between health and the environment.

    o have information to develop eco-friendly habits to decrease environmental waste (reduce, reuse, recycle).

    o understand the connection between a healthy environment and the foods we eat.

• By December 2009, 30 adults will have information and access to make eco friendly improvements to their homes through referrals.

• By December 2009, 20 adults will have information for green job training in the Philadelphia community through referrals.

• By June 2009, 80 children will attend a total of 6 workshops and

• By August 2009, 190 children will attend one workshop providing a total of 272 children with information and education on the environment.

• Our monthly Keeping It Green newsletter, launched in 2007, reaches 300 people electronically. While keeping subscribers informed of our programs, ministry goals and challenges, it provides practical tips for living green every day and promotes our commitment to better stewardship of the earth.

Children will continue to participate in hands-on learning activities in our nearby community garden, a natural teaching tool, to give them a direct connection to the environment. Sr. Margery, RSM created this beautiful green space eight years ago. Our 2,900 square foot native plant garden replaces a parking lot and will be registered as an Audubon Society Bird Habitat. Eighty students, their parents, staff and 3 residents enter our center through this urban sanctuary daily. Eagle Scout Paul Donnelly organized 20 scouts and families who planted the native trees (5) and shrubs (52) in a single Saturday. Another scout is building a bike rack. Native perennials will be planted in the spring.

Our Adult Education/Human Development and Adult Day Care programs will host quarterly workshops presented by our collaborative partners, open to the general community. They will cover basic environmental education, focusing on health and the environment with information on recycling, energy conservation, green jobs, green home products, and home improvements with appropriate referrals. The MNM workshops explore ways to work together to continue building a sustainable Tioga community that ensures the basic needs of residents are met.