Mercy Connections Inc

“Board of trustees provided a copy of form 990 before it is filed.”

“Board of trustees review conflict of interest policy annually and disclose any known or potential conflicts. Any board member deemed to have a potential conflict of interest would refrain from voting on the matter.”

“Board of trustees approves executive director's compensation.”

“Governing documents are made available to the public upon request.”

“Mercy connections, inc. Has elected to voluntarily file a form 990.”

“Programs; and mentoring & justice (m&j) programs. In all three, participants reconnect with their core strengths, develop life plans and engage in high quality, results-based learning activities. Over 1800 aspiring entrepreneurs have graduated from wsbp (est. In 1989 at trinity college). 150 active businesses in this area are owned and operated by alumni. Each year about 25 wsbp students complete bank ready business plans. The m&j programs (est. In 2003) have connected and supported 346 mentoring pairs of trained mentors and women returning to the community from the correctional facility. 90% of women with m&j program trained mentors successfully remain in the community during their first year post- incarceration. M&j programs also offer court diversion opportunities where 80% of women referred from the courts have seen their charges dropped for successful program participation. E&t programs serve individuals who have often been, sadly, overlooked, have low academic attainment, and/or are living in poverty. Annually, over 100 people attend and many go on to secure employment, continued education, american citizenship and/or take on new roles and responsibilities in our communities. Wsbp students make informed decisions about their entrepreneurial aspirations. Comprehensive planning is essential for business success. Three experienced wsbp instructors deliver proven, college-level business- planning curricula to over 25 women per year. "getting serious" students begin to consider business ownership and "start up" students build bank- ready business plans. In 2015 wsbp also began to offer financial empowerment specifically designed to support the finance challenges faced by women and mercy marketplace workshops for entrepreneurial individuals with severely few resources. E&t program participants build hope, determination and strength to move toward greater life security and self-sufficiency. Many have struggled with poverty, trauma, disabilities, injuries, mental illness and/or substance use disorders. Carefully designed e&t programming supports self-directed life planning and adult learning through: four 10-week pre- work certification classes; ged, adult diploma, esol & computer literacy tutorials; reading & writing programs, and citizenship classes. Support groups, social activities, events and a weekly luncheon prepared by volunteers are offered to reinforce a sense of belonging and support as people make significant life changes. M&j program participants build their capacity for crime-free lives. The vermont women's mentoring program (vwmp) offers trainings, mentor matching and support to 35 women returning to the community post-incarceration each year, in collaboration with the vt department of corrections and vermont works for women. This program reinforces healthy companionship, recreation, and pro-social, orientations to decrease criminal risk. Court diversion programs, in partnership with the district courts, serve women who have engaged in survival crimes. They are invited to "start over" by participating in curriculum-based life-planning programs and charges can be dropped with successful completion of the programs.”