MercyFirst
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Contact Information
525 Convent Road
Syosset, NY 11791
United States
Online Contact Form
Syosset, NY 11791
United States
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 9 AM-5 PM |
| Tuesday | 9 AM-5 PM |
| Wednesday | 9 AM-5 PM |
| Thursday | 9 AM-5 PM |
| Friday | 9 AM-5 PM |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
MercyFirst is a Sanctuary-certified, not-for-profit human and social service agency serving more than 3,000 children, teenagers, and families each year in the New York metropolitan area. Founded as an orphanage in the late 1800s by the Sisters of Mercy, MercyFirst (a merger between Angel Guardian Home in Brooklyn and St. Mary of the Angels Home in Syosset) today offers a range of life-changing, trauma-informed interventions to children and families in need through a network of programs and services throughout New York City (Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island) and across Long Island.
The staff of MercyFirst are professionally trained and prepared to respond to the complex needs of traumatized and neglected children, youth with serious emotional problems, teens and young adults without families who must learn to make their own way as adults, and families coping with poverty, homelessness, domestic violence, substance abuse and mental illness. We strive to provide a healing interval in the lives of the children and families we serve. We offer them a safe and healing environment and help them open doors and tap into resources, in an effort to develop their full potential. Here is how we help.
Services and information
- Traditional Foster Care
- Specialized / Therapeutic Care
- Emergency Foster Care
- Respite Foster Care
- Adoption
Requirements to become a foster parent
Raising foster children is a rewarding and life-changing experience. You can make a real difference in a child's life, helping them on a path toward success.
Remember that fostering affects the whole family, so talk to your partner and biological children if you're considering this journey. Learn more about what to expect and ensure it fits your lifestyle. You must be healthy and have enough time and energy to care for a child and meet their needs. This is important for gaining foster parent approval because every child must have this foundation of support.
Each state has requirements for foster parents. In New York, applicants must:
- Be 21 years of age or older
- Live in a safe and stable environment
- Have enough space for a foster child
- Show financially stability
- Prove that all family members are in good health
- Pass a background check
- Clear a home safety inspection
- Attend required foster parent training
- Complete the Home Study process
- Provide a minimum of three character references
Foster families in New York can rent or own their homes. Adults can become foster parents no matter their marital or divorce status. All adults who are living in the home with foster children must pass the New York required criminal background check. Every adult must complete both state and federal background checks and undergo fingerprinting.
Interested candidates can make the first call to foster services and get the approval and licensing process started. Contact the New York Office of Children and Family Services (NYOCFS) or your local Department of Social Services (DSS). The first step after expressing interest will be to attend a foster orientation. Potential foster parents can learn about the approval process at the event and get questions answered by a foster child advocate.
The foster parent training requirement begins with pre-service training. After getting licensed, foster parents must participate in ongoing training and educational programs.
Ratings and Reviews
Average user rating
3.2 / 5| 5 | |
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Jun 07, 2022
This quiet small town is being tortured by the kids that reside there. Every month is something new. They are robbing local stores and breaking into cars. The staff clearly does not care and does a quite horrible job impacting these kids. This type of place belongs in the inner city, not in a place where taxes are 16k. Most kids there dont even want to be here. Shut. This. Place. Down.
Mar 06, 2022
I spent just under 4 years here from July of '97 to May of '01. It could be rough at times, but they had a lot of dedicated staff that really had the best interests in us. I see a lot of negative comments on here by what I'm assuming are past residents as well, but I can honestly say that the placement changed me for the better. I went to St. Mary's just prior to my 13th birthday, and I was already getting into way too much trouble. If it wasn't for my stay at St. Mary's, I can say without a doubt, I'd be either dead or in prison right now instead I'm raising my kids, I'm a productive part of society & that wouldn't be if it wasn't for the time spent there. There are a lot of unsuccessful stories, but I know there are also a lot of success stories as well.
Mar 01, 2022
This place mistreats kids and will hurt them in ways that can be unfixed. If your kid is there get them home because chances are they are crying right now.
Dec 31, 2021
This place was scary and a total scam ran through the government, posing as some sort of rehabilitation place for mis guided youth; anyone who went here only got worse by going. Was forced to go here for 11 day “diagnostic” period in 2015 by Nassau county family court, Multiple jumpings and fist fights occurred within that week and a half. Not one or two, more then that.The staff are completely untrained to work with kids, especially troubled kids, and they literally would bully me and other residents. They would start fights, Many of them seemed to be troubled themselves, don’t know how they were allowed to take care of anyone. I thank the lord I got out of here. The kids who were forced to stay were visibly on the verge of suicide many of them. Mercy first needs to shut down, this place destroys kids. Please someone in charge, recognize the horrors of mercy first and shut this place down before more kids are hurt.
Oct 22, 2021
During graduate school, I conducted a project where I interviewed and shadowed staff and kids at MercyFirst. I was very impressed with how professional, friendly, and dedicated the staff are to getting the kids the help they need. I specifically researched the therapy dog program and the kids involved all loved the program. Project CARE teaches them how to take care of dogs and receive unconditional love from a dog when they are going through a difficult time. The kids were able to open up around the dogs and discuss topics that they might have a hard time talking about otherwise. I commend Mercyfirst for implementing unique programs like Project CARE to support the kids and hope the program continues for many years.