New Mercy School Gives Students a Way to Earn a Living Wage

Responding to the needs of our times, the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas announced today that they will sponsor a new Catholic career and technical junior/senior high school in Stuart, Florida, to better prepare low-income students for the health sciences workforce and/or college.

“We are opening the door to students in need by providing an excellent, affordable education that prepares them for contemporary job options,” said Sister Patricia McDermott, RSM, president, Sisters of Mercy of the Americas. “Inspired by our founder, Catherine McAuley, and her passion for service and education, we look for creative ways to meet new needs.”

Mercy Education, the organization entrusted with overseeing the sponsored schools of the Sisters of Mercy, designed this new school model in response to the signs of the times, especially the COVID-19 pandemic. The school’s location in Stuart, Florida, part of the Diocese of Palm Beach, allows it to serve a growing population of students and families of Central and South American descent who, because of systemic oppression, often lack access to a meaningful pathway to a living wage.

“People in underserved neighborhoods were impacted the most by the pandemic,” said Sister Lisa Griffith, RSM, executive director of Mercy Education. “A diverse, educated health workforce can make a major difference in the health and welfare of all people.”

Learn more about the new school here.