Diocesan News

Dorothy Bennett Center Marks 20 Years of Mercy-filled Services

November 3, 2016
patrick-morgan-marianne-sheehan
When the Dorothy Bennett Mercy Center (DBMC) held its 10th annual benefit, attendees included Patrick Morgan and Marianne Sheehan, who serve as DBMC board chairman and board member, respectively.

By Sister Camille D’Arienzo, R.S.M.

The Dorothy Bennett Mercy Center (DBMC) proudly marked two major milestones Oct. 14: its 20th anniversary as well as its 10th annual benefit at the Belle Harbor Yacht Club.

Founded by the Sisters of Mercy, the center provides a number of successful programs for immigrant families in the Fort Greene-Bedford Stuyvesant neighborhoods of Brooklyn, including after school, English as a Second Language, computer and GED courses.

This year’s honoree was the past and present members of the Board of Directors of the Belle Harbor Yacht Club, who have supported the event and DBMC for the last 10 years.

srkathleen-quinn-raul-andrade
Sister Kathleen Quinn, R.S.M., right, founder of the Dorothy Bennett Mercy Center with Raul Andrade, one of DBMC’s adult education instructors.

The guests attending the event at the Belle Harbor Yacht Club were warmly welcomed by the event’s chairperson and local resident, Patrick Morgan. There were a few other speakers including the DBMC’s founder, Mercy Sister Kathleen Quinn, who humorously pointed out a double absence: the missing papal blessing that had been ordered over three months ago as well as its intended recipient, a generous gentleman who wished to remain anonymous.

Generous Turn of Events

dbmc-11-5-2016-grp
The Belle Harbor Yacht Club Board of Directors were this year’s honorees.

What was not absent was Sister Kathleen’s ability to rebound from challenges in building the center. She recalled the benefactor’s refusal of her request for $50,000. His reason: it was too little.

Then in a generous turn of events, he provided her a donation that was twice what she’d requested, allowing the two story building to take shape at the far end of the beautiful enclosed garden of the Convent of Mercy on Classon and Willoughby Avenues.

Hundreds of children have benefitted from the opportunities provided by the center’s staff and leadership, beginning with Sisters Kathleen, Breige Lavery and Caroline Tweedy as well as laypeople, including Emily Figueroa, Raul Andrade, Marcela Cuevas, the newly installed director, Damian Gracia and a dedicated Board of Directors.

When asked what was best about the center, a child recently replied without hesitation: “I feel safe here.”

The evening’s food was donated by Ludwig’s Catering, as it has been for the past 10 events. The successful affair will ensure continuation of the services provided by this “Small Center with a Big Heart.”