During 8th and 9th period Theology classes on Monday, April 20, Jennie Hagerty spoke with students about poverty and the Mercy Center for Women.

“It was great having her as a guest speaker,” Fr. Ben Daghir said.

Fr. Ben invited Jennie Hagerty to speak on assisting the impoverished and the Mercy Center for Women’s mission.

”Jennie’s visit was the perfect opportunity to give students a better idea of what the Catholic Social Teaching of Preferential Option for the Poor and Vulnerable is all about,” Fr. Ben wrote.

Hagerty spoke with students about abuse, addiction, and homelessness.

”[There are steps] to how someone develops the chosen path of homelessness, drug addiction, and abuse [that need to be learned and understood],” Hagerty said. “It is important our students learn to understand the needs of the homeless and abused.”

Hagerty advised students to give homeless individuals blessing bags or gift cards and to send individuals or loved ones struggling with addiction to a detox facility.

“I do not recommend [giving someone] money because [that could fuel their addiction and make them] relapse,” Hagerty wrote. “[We need to do what is best for them and make sure] they know our community cares about them [and their wellbeing].”

For homeless women who need immediate assistance, Hagerty advised students to direct them to the Mercy Center for Women.

“The Mercy Center for Women has housed thousands of women since 1994 and our campus has tripled in size [since then],” Hagerty said.

The Mercy Center for Women is a campus with three housing programs and offers educational and rehabilitation services to women struggling with abuse, addiction, and homelessness.

“The Mercy Center for Women helps clients [and their] families regain their identity and lives,” Hagerty said.

Recently, The Mercy Center for Women purchased the former Sacred Heart school building, which will be renovated to house 40 individuals, and partnered with the St. Paul Neighborhood Center and the Hamot Health Foundation to build a food pantry and clothing store nearby.

”Educating the community on growth partnership is instrumental when providing stability to our homeless friends,” Hagerty said.

Hagerty plans on returning to Prep to speak about homelessness, addiction, and abuse.

”[I plan on covering] how the Cathedral Prep and Villa community can become more involved in social service agencies and the statistics [on homelessness] in our community,” Hagerty said.

Interested in supporting the Mercy Center for Women’s Sacred Heart/MACC West Project? Visit their website.

Enjoy cycling? Register for the Mercy Center for Women’s 2026 Pedal for Mercy event.

Enjoy walking? Sign up for the Mercy Center for Women’s 2026 Highmark Walk.