Mercy House focus: food and clothing

Jean Dobbs, director at Mercy House in Albany, an emergency shelter for women, has cooked up two ideas to enhance the lives of residents there and students at a nearby middle school.

COOKING

Since September, Michael Gibson, an Albany native who is a student at Johnson and Wales Culinary Institute in Charlotte, N.C., has been creating meals at Mercy House.

The effort helps him complete his studies towards a food service management degree, while giving the staff and clients a taste of gourmet cooking.

"I really enjoy cooking, and I especially like it when people enjoy what I cook," Mr. Gibson said as he prepared a dinner of ham, sauerkraut, potatoes and vegetables for 22 women at the shelter. "I have a wonderful time here because all the ladies enjoy my cooking.

"Before I began my studies, I thought I knew just about everything there was to cooking a meal. What I didn't realize was that there is a whole world of herbs and spices available."

As the manager and chief cook of his father's restaurant, which is now closed, Mr. Gibson mainly fried or grilled everything.

Now, he specializes in gourmet soups and desserts.

"My favorite dishes are lasagna and chicken parmesan," he said, "but I've learned to really like Chinese food. I never cared much for it before I learned how to use spices."

SHOPPING

Another program was initiated by Mrs. Dobbs and her son Corey, who is on the security staff of Philip Livingston Middle School in Albany, after several civic groups sponsored a fish fry to raise money for school supplies for poor students.

As a follow-up, it was suggested that buying clothes might also help some of the needier students. Several volunteers and staff from Mercy House came forward to help with the purchase of back-to-school clothes.

Dijonnise Daniels, 14, was the first student to go on a shopping spree. She has cerebral palsy and is in a wheelchair. Lisa Teamer, a Mercy House staffer, went with her and her father to Colonie Center shopping mall.

"This is an A student who hopes to attend Yale University and follow in the footsteps of her older brother, who is currently pursuing a law degree," Mrs. Dobbs said.

She noted that many of the children chosen for the shopping spree don't have nice clothes.

"They just want to look and dress like their friends," Mrs. Dobbs said. "Having the right clothes helps build and maintain self-esteem."

The cooking and clothing programs "are helping our residents and school children in positive ways," she noted. "It lets them know that the community cares for them and what happens to them."

(Mercy House, located in the Arbor Hill section of Albany, is an agency of Catholic Charities of the Albany Diocese. It offers emergency shelter and food to women in crisis. To help a student, call Mrs. Dobbs at 434-3531.)

(11/30/06) [[In-content Ad]]