Press Releases

Mercy Hospital Foundation Teams Up With Area Leaders To Revitalize Neighborhoods Around Hospital Campus

Port Huron, MI …Mercy Hospital Foundation is pleased to announce that it is teaming up with the Acheson Foundation to revitalize the neighborhoods around the Mercy Hospital campus. Mercy Hospital Foundation has established a fund of $20,000 for down payment and home improvement assistance. As part of the Revitalizing Port Huron Project, Acheson Foundation has awarded Mercy a grant of $20,000 to bring the combined total fund available to $40,000.

Down payment and home improvement grants of up to $7,500 are available to Mercy Hospital employees with a total combined annual income below $69,800. Although currently only available to Mercy employees, Mercy Hospital administration is piloting the program and envisions offering its structure to other businesses in its neighborhoods.

Mercy employees who wish to participate must plan to purchase an owner-occupied home within an established neighborhood around Mercy Hospital; must be an employee for at least one year; and must meet lender requirements. A number of banks that participate with the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) program are working with Mercy to offer the home-ownership lending opportunities.

For Mercy employees who select Citizens First as their bank for mortgage lending, additional matching money will be available through a grant of $10,000 from the Citizens First Foundation. Citizens First Foundation is making these grants available as a continuation of their involvement in partnering with the community for the development of home ownership.

“We are excited about the opportunity to partner with Mercy Hospital Foundation to provide affordable housing options to Mercy employees; and work together for the betterment of Port Huron’s south side,” comments Donna Niester of the Acheson Foundation.

“Mercy is grateful to the Acheson Foundation and the Citizens First Foundation for agreeing to team up to offer home ownership grants for the continued revitalization of the neighborhoods in and around the Mercy Hospital main campus on Port Huron southside,” comments Peter Karadjoff, Mercy Hospital President and CEO. “Working with community partners to provide outstanding programs and services is a part of the Mercy mission.”