#38 | Project I See You: Helping Women Own Homes & Build Businesses
Helping Women Feel Seen and Become Empowered
When a church mission led Mercy Tucker and her husband to take their four year-old and 18-month-old to spend four years living in a barrio in the Dominican Republic, some very hard truths emerged. One of these was the utter lack of resources available to young, single, poor mothers who lacked even the most basic shelter. Yet somehow these young women used their resources to construct rudimentary shelters to put a roof over their children’s heads. However, when a severe tropical storm pounded the island for twelve straight days, those shelters collapsed and washed away, leaving the mothers and children homeless and suffering.
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Mercy Tucker and a fellow mission volunteer couldn’t bear to witness the tragedy that no one else seemed to recognize or be concerned about. It seemed to Mercy that the women were invisible––no one cared because no one even noticed them. The two women joined forces and formed the non-profit called Proyecto Te Veo that provides education and vocational training to women. Through skill building, the women learn to create and build incomes that allow them to raise their children with dignity.
“When a woman’s life changes, it changes everything around her.” —Mercy Tucker
When Mercy Tucker and her family relocated to Colorado in 2013, it didn’t take long for her to notice women in her neighborhood who were also in need, albeit a different kind of need. These were women who had been released from prison, and others who had escaped a life of sex trafficking. Both were lost in the transition— relieved to be out and free, but lost in the place of confusion over what to do next. With no resources and few options, they found themselves on the street and at risk of drugs, attacks, and exposure.
Mercy saw the opportunity to bring lessons learned in the Dominican Republic to Denver, Colorado. It wasn’t long before a new center was born: In collaboration with Open Door Ministries, Te Veo House helps women in crisis receive short-term, transitional housing to get back on their feet.
“When a woman moves into Te Veo House, she is given the opportunity to rest and take steps toward recovery and restoration, while focusing on finding long-term, sustainable housing.”
With these two initiatives changes lives for women, Mercy Tucker and her team were just getting started. While the Covid pandemic was shining a spotlight on suffering, Mercy saw a new opportunity to help women take power over their lives. In 2021, the Shared Power initiative was launched to support two different groups of women: first-time homeowners and established small business owners who need a boost up. These recipients receive access to life-changing grants and a network of support. Our mission is clear—share the power!
“With the pandemic disproportionately affecting women and women of color, we started with the goal of raising $10K for 10 women who would not otherwise be able to own their own home or keep their business open. We not only met our initial goal, but have continued to double it each year since!
Executive Director Mercy Tucker & First-time Homeowner
In this episode, we discuss:
• Mercy and her husband’s life and work in the barrio of the Dominican Republic.
• Helping single mothers learn skills to make a living.
• Mercy adopting a child in the Dominican Republic.
• Mercy responding to needs in her neighborhood: the opening of of Te Veo House
• The scourge of racism: the critical importance of becoming an ally and taking bold action against hate.
• Taking racism to the Supreme Court.
• Using community to build community: Shared Power.
• Assisting women in acquiring home ownership.
• Helping women expand their own small business.
