Who We Are

Our Mission

Mercy Learning Center provides free literacy and life skills education to low-income women in the greater Bridgeport area using a holistic approach within a compassionate, supportive environment. MLC focuses on empowering and providing dignity, economic self-sufficiency, and hope to their students. By educating women, MLC provides critical learning for students to improve their skills and earning potential, creating a more solid future for themselves, their families, and their community. We warmly welcome women of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities to our center.

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Our History

  • 1987

    The Founding

    Two educators, Sr. Eileen Boffa and Sr. Cheryl Driscoll, founded Mercy Learning Center to serve the literacy needs of undereducated mothers in Greater Bridgeport, Connecticut. We provided tutoring in a borrowed room at the Cardinal Sheehan Center.

  • 1992

    First Full-Time Program

    Full-time program launched for women who could read at a fourth grade level or higher. Located in a 15-room vacant rectory at St. John’s Episcopal Church.

  • 1997-2001

    New Location

    Mercy Learning Center relocates to the former Sacred Heart School building, our present location. Childcare services, access to a social worker, a learning specialist, and on-site clothing store added. Served 900 women during this time period.

  • 2002-2004

    Programs Expand

    English as a Second Language and GED® programs launched. Food pantry opens and the childcare program expands.

  • 2005-2008

    Accreditation

    Mother/toddler pre-literacy program added. Mercy Learning Center accredited by ProLiteracy and named a National External Diploma Program (NEDP®) site.

  • 2009-2012

    Building Purchased

    We purchased our Park Avenue building, thanks to the support of a few anonymous donors. Building renovated to include additional classrooms, increased childcare space, and dedicated space for our social services programs. Early Childhood Education Program becomes licensed by the state of Connecticut.

  • 2017

    30 Year Anniversary

    Mercy Learning Center celebrates 30 years of serving greater Bridgeport. 13,000 women served to date.

  • 2019-2022

    COVID-19 Response

    In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mercy Learning Center pivots to provide in-person programming designed with the utmost concern for our students, staff, and volunteers.

  • 2024

    Playground Built

    Thanks to a group of donors, a new state of the art playground was built on-site for our Early Childhood Education Program to play and grow.

Our Leadership Team

Lindsay Wyman

President & CEO

Jeanette Lizondro

Director of Operations

Maria Moreno

Director of Early Childhood Education Program

Kiko Teed

Director of Adult Education

Fiona Wilkes

Director of Development

Board of Directors

  • Eric Speer, Chair
  • Jennifer Hicks, Vice Chair
  • Roseanna Coleman, Treasurer
  • Allison Allott, Secretary
  • Christopher Edwards
  • Michael Ian
  • Barbara Kleban
  • Sara LeTourneau
  • Marcia Lim
  • Beth Peto
  • Denise Scott
  • Stella Seo
  • Brian J. Wenzel, Sr.

Our Students

Mercy Learning Center students are wonderfully diverse and they each arrive at our school with unique goals, challenges, and dreams.

  • Our students come from 45 different countries and speak 17 languages.
  • Our youngest student is 17 years old and our oldest is 85 years old. More than 70% of our students fall between the ages of 17 and 44.
  • 60% of our students are mothers who have children 18 years old and younger.
  • Many of them work one, two, or sometimes even three jobs in addition to coming to class.
  • 73% of our students live in poverty
  • 100% of our students are committed to their education and we are with them every step of the way.
Programs Shared Stories

Testimonials

From Our Students & Volunteers

Mercy Learning Center is the best place to learn!!! I’m a single mother and I got the opportunity to learn English. They provided me a lot of help since I was alone with my son.

Eva

Former MLC student

The most important thing I learned at Mercy Learning Center was how to ask for help when I need it.

Maria

Former MLC student

It’s never too late to start with your dreams.

Sonia

Former MLC student, recent HS graduate

The childcare at Mercy Learning Center gives me the opportunity to study and be confident that my baby is safe while he is learning too!

Ana

MLC student

This is a school of opportunity for women to learn English, computers & many other life skills. I am happy & feel blessed to study at Mercy Learning Center. It is my favorite place.

Sandra

MLC student

One day I want to help others the same way you have helped me to become a better person, scholar, and citizen.

Olivia

MLC student

Thanks to Mercy Learning Center, my education has gone above and beyond anything I could have imagined.

Michelle

MLC student

I started attending English class at Mercy Learning Center, which was the best thing that had happened in my life

Clarisa

MLC student

Everyday I feel more confident speaking English and now I can help my kids with their school homework.

Victoria

MLC student

Mercy has helped me trust myself more and to know that anything I put effort into is possible. I am very proud of myself and my family as well.

Daysie

MLC student

Getting my high school diploma means there are many doors that are going to be open for me in the future.

Genesis

MLC student

The most important thing I learned at Mercy Learning Center is to be confident and trust that I can do It.

Maritza

MLC student

At Mercy Learning Center, I learned different things that are going to help me in my future as a student and also in my daily life.

Amy

MLC student

I have wonderful classmates and the best teacher, who helps me to understand math without worries.

Virginia

MLC graduate

This school helps many women for different things. I always recommend this school when I speak with other women.

Gabriela

MLC student

Every time I walk through the doors of Mercy Learning Center, my heart lifts.

John

Volunteer Tutor

Finally, I found a place where I can make a difference.

Erica

Volunteer Tutor

I am doing something significant and I am a better person because of my association with these incredible women.

Susan

Volunteer Tutor

It is a gift to know that I have helped these women achieve such successes and that this is only the beginning for them.

Anne

Volunteer Tutor