About UsSuccess StoriesOur ProgramLearn MoreHow To HelpOur Ministry PartnersNeed Our Help?
Visit our online store.
Print content on this page
Donate Now
 

Confidential Survey of Former Mercy Ministries of America Residents

A confidential survey was conducted to assess the effectiveness of the Mercy Ministries program in transforming lives and restoring hope to young women who have previously been a resident in a Mercy Ministries of America home. The survey was conducted in Q1, 2008.

  • Former residents for whom we have current email addresses were invited to participate.
  • Total respondents to this survey: 382.  Of the total respondents, 294 completed the 40 question long form and 53 completed the 3 question short form.  Another 35 began the long form but did not complete it. Their responses are included in summary below.
  • Time period of respondents residency in Mercy Ministries program: 1986 to 2007
  • Average time respondents have been out of the program:  4.1 years
  • Survey respondents’ reasons for leaving Mercy Ministries: 84% graduated from the program; 7% left of their own accord for non-medical reasons; 2% left for medical reasons; 7% left because they were asked to leave.

 

Summary of Results

1. When asked “Did Mercy Ministries help you transform your life and restore your hope?”

  • 93% of all the respondents answered “YES”
  • The positive rate was the same for the long and short form respondents

 

2. When asked “Using the scale below, please indicate how well-adjusted to life you think you were before you came
     to Mercy Ministries. Please select the phrase that best describes how well-adjusted you believe you were.”

Scale:

  • 5= Very well adjusted to life
  • 4= Well adjusted to life
  • 3= Somewhat well adjusted to life
  • 2= Poorly adjusted to life
  • 1=Not at all adjusted to life; require institutionalization

The mean response to this question was 2.1 before coming to Mercy.

3. When this same question was asked referring to the same scale but the time period was changed to the present,
    the mean response to this question was 4.1. This significant improvement (from 2.1 to 4.1) in response along with 
    the average time out of the program being 4.1 years signals a transformation of young women’s lives that is both
    robust and long-lasting.

4. The overall positive impact of Mercy Ministries program was independent of the year in which a young woman entered
     the program. This suggests that the Mercy Ministries Program has been well established over time and should be
     sustainable.

5. Further the results were independent of the home location in which a young women resided during her time at 
    Mercy Ministries. This suggests that the effects of the Mercy Ministries Program are transferable to multiple
    locations and thus can be a legitimate basis for expansion.