In 1985, hundreds of individuals with mental illness were trying to survive on the streets of Over-the-Rhine due to a lack of sufficient support programs. The psychiatric beds in Hamilton County were reduced from 4,000 to 400, with the belief that the patients could live on their own in the community with support programs, leaving these men and women desperate, hungry, and isolated with nowhere to go. Fr. Chris Hall and two other clergymen, Randy La Fond and Edward Slater, knew they must do something. Tender Mercies began with these clergymen helping Betty and Maude, two women released from the hospital with nothing but cab fare to a shelter.

They secured an apartment for them, applied for their Social Security benefits, and helped them get medical treatment. Sadly, within months, one of the women was brutally raped and the other murdered. Determined to prevent this from happening to others, they became the building managers and saved the lives of 12 more women. Over the past 39 years, Tender Mercies has saved the lives of over 2,500 homeless adults with mental illness from a life of barely surviving on the streets - hungry, cold, and alone.

With the support of many compassionate donors and funders, Tender Mercies has grown to six buildings located in Over-the-Rhine and the West End. Each year, nearly 200 homeless men and women with mental illness rebuild their lives in their home at Tender Mercies. Some of these individuals have been homeless for years, living on the streets, under bridges and in other places unfit for human habitation. Others were successful business professionals whose mental illness turned their lives upside down.

Vision
To be the premier provider of permanent supportive housing for homeless adults with mental illness.

Purpose
Tender Mercies purpose is to provide housing and supportive services for homeless adults with the histories of severe mental illness. Our permanent supportive housing model addresses the root causes of homelessness, thereby preventing a return to the streets for our region's most vulnerable persons.

Compassion drives us to create Security, Dignity, and Community

We believe in the opportunity to thrive and grow

Transformation inspires us and brings hope and promise

We are Tender Mercies. Making Home Possible Every Day

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

At Tender Mercies, one of our core values is that our differences make us stronger. We are proud to embrace diversity and equity in a serious way and our workforce demographics reflect the population that we serve. With over 80% of our leadership team comprised of minorities, we are proud to not only talk the talk about DEI, but walk the walk. Support staff are given opportunities to improve skills and rise to higher positions within the organization, thereby contributing to greater social equity within Greater Cincinnati.

We regularly partner with businesses big and small to fund our Permanent Supportive Housing programs, and welcome diverse volunteer groups, from religious organizations to alumni groups and individuals who just want to make a difference.

Our Commitment to Social Equity

Greater Cincinnati faces a shortage of 40,000 housing units. For those who have become homeless, accessing housing is that much more difficult. For those with chronic, severe mental illness like the populations we serve, the dream of finding and sustaining a home or apartment is near impossible.

Tender Mercies provides Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) to homeless adults with mental illness. This housing model, PSH, known as the gold standard for solving and ending homelessness, allows individuals the security, dignity and community they need -- that everyone needs and deserves -- to address the issues that led them to become homeless in the first place. We provide housing as well as wrap-around services that give residents access to benefits and resources that allow them to reclaim their independence and achieve their highest level of self-efficacy.

We are committed to impacting the social makeup of Greater Cincinnati by creating permanent housing solutions that keep people from becoming homeless again, and allow safe, secure access to the dignified housing they deserve.