Restore Merced
By Matt St. Pierre, Executive Director, Restore Merced
Restore Merced started almost six years ago with the mission of cultivating renewal by strengthening relationships - bearing fruit in restored relationships with God, meaningful work opportunities, vibrant families, and sturdy community networks. We recognize the role of work in underscoring a person’s God-given dignity. We also recognize that those on the margins of society are often disconnected from opportunities to experience meaningful work.
Restore Merced impacts this reality in our community by inviting the people of God, local businesses, and local officials to join intentional efforts that create pathways for the poor and marginalized in Merced into vocational and economic flourishing.
Our theme for 2022 is Firm Foundation. Being deeply rooted in God’s story of renewal, we are harnessing all of our resources towards creating economic stability and a strong community with neighbors experiencing material poverty, past incarceration, and generational trauma. These efforts include increasing our Christ-centered class offerings, creating new opportunities for meaningful work, and developing pathways for personal growth.
We love partnering together with the Rescue Mission as we seek God’s Kingdom in Merced as it is in heaven. Good things happen when the body of Christ joins together - utilizing our collective gifts and strengths to meet the holistic need of our community!
Daniel’s Story
I was addicted to meth and other drugs and had lots of fallouts. The last one almost led me to prison, but I caught a break and ended up in the Merced Rescue Mission. The Mission helped me stay clean and stay off the streets with a family to stand behind me every step of the way. They introduced me to Restore Merced, where I got a job restoring the city streets, as well as myself. They helped me find a way to financially budget with the programs they offer. With the job that kept me from being homeless, I was able to get on my feet and gain my life back with the help of the Merced Rescue Mission and Restore Merced. Now I have a full-time job, a car, and I’m restoring my sanity and peace. I appreciate the love and the family they both have offered me. I am grateful to be part of them both.
We bumped into Dan, one of our recently housed participants. He didn’t expect to be able to get his own apartment or a job because of some poor choices from his past. The Rescue Mission partnered with Restore Merced, who train and hire folks who struggle in this area, and his dream turned into a reality! After hurting his foot, he is waiting to return to work. Dan wanted everyone to know, “God is good!”
