2021-09-29T14:24:52-05:00 2021-06-30 271728945 PKF O'CONNOR DAVIES LLP FOUR CORPORATE DRIVE SUITE 488 SHELTON CT 064846241 990 2020-07-01 222859879 MERCY LEARNING CENTER OF BRIDGEPORT INC MERC 2033346699 637 PARK AVENUE BRIDGEPORT CT 06604 JANE E FERREIRA PRESIDENT & CEO 2033346699 2021-09-28 1 JANE FERREIRA XXX-XX-XXXX JENNIFER BULL P00448361 2039293535 2021-08-25 3 AAL1 IAL1 2020 2022-09-23 18:48:47Z JANE E FERREIRA 637 PARK AVENUE BRIDGEPORT CT 06604 4205734 0 X WWW.MERCYLEARNINGCENTER.ORG X 1987 CT THE CENTER EDUCATES LOW INCOME,UNDEREDUCATED WOMEN FROM PRE-LITERACY THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL FREE OF CHARGE. PREPARATION FOR THE GED AND THE NEDP HIGH SCHOOL EQUIVALENCIES ARE PROVIDED 16 15 55 105 0 0 2843947 3837929 0 0 130575 178702 -17547 0 2956975 4016631 430497 635630 0 0 1795793 1820366 0 0 180964 538198 506233 2764488 2962229 192487 1054402 8294403 10114620 389171 44388 7905232 10070232 X MERCY LEARNING CENTER OF BRIDGEPORT, INC. PROVIDES BASIC LITERACY AND LIFE SKILLS TRAINING TO LOW-INCOME WOMEN USING A HOLISTIC APPROACH WITHIN A COMPASSIONATE, SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT. ALL WOMEN ARE WELCOME WITHOUT REGARD FOR RACE, RELIGION, COLOR, CREED, SEXUAL ORIENTATION OR NATIONAL ORIGIN. MERCY LEARNING CENTER HAS RESPONDED TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC DECLARED BY THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION IN MARCH 2020. THIS RESPONSE WAS TO SUSTAIN THE STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES WITH BASIC NEEDS-FOOD, DIAPERS, RENT AND UTILITIES WHILE THEY WERE QUARANTINED, UNEMPLOYED, AND MAINTAINING SOCIAL DISTANCING AS REQUIRED TO CONTROL THE SPREAD OF THE VIRUS. THIS INCREASED DONOR FINANCIAL AND IN-KIND SUPPORT IS EVIDENT IN THE ELEVATED AMOUNTS OF OUTREACH THIS YEAR. 0 0 1463939 362309 TUTORING PROGRAM - MERCY LEARNING CENTER'S PART-TIME TUTORING PROGRAM SERVES THE MAJORITY OF THE ADULT LEARNERS ENROLLED AT THE CENTER. THE FLEXIBILITY OF PART-TIME ATTENDANCE ALLOWS WORKING WOMEN AND THOSE WITH OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES OR LIMITATIONS THE ABILITY TO PURSUE THEIR GOALS OF FURTHERING THEIR EDUCATION. ALL OF THE ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAMS AT MERCY LEARNING CENTER ARE AIMED AT INCREASING WOMEN'S EDUCATIONAL FUNCTIONING LEVELS SO THAT THEY MAY BECOME MORE PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS OF THE WORKFORCE AND THE COMMUNITY. STUDENTS WHO ENTER THIS PROGRAM RANGE FROM THE NON-READER TO THOSE PREPARING FOR A HIGH SCHOOL EQUIVALENCY. IN 2020-2021, 426 WOMEN WHO HAILED FROM 42 COUNTRIES PARTICIPATED IN THIS PROGRAM, 98% OF WHOM WERE LIVING AT OR BELOW THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL. THESE STUDENTS RECEIVED INSTRUCTION ON A ONE-ON-ONE BASIS OR IN A SMALL GROUP SETTING. 693445 171620 INTENSIVE STUDY PROGRAM - MERCY LEARNING CENTER'S FULL-TIME ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAM, CALLED THE INTENSIVE STUDY PROGRAM, OFFERS CLASSROOM-BASED INSTRUCTION IN ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE (ESL), ADULT BASIC EDUCATION (ABE) LEVELS I, II, III, AND GENERAL EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (GED) PREPARATION CLASSES. LED BY CERTIFIED INSTRUCTORS, THE CLASSES ARE KEPT TO A MAXIMUM OF 20-25 STUDENTS WHO RECEIVE FIVE HOURS DAILY (M-F) OF CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION IN SUBJECT AREAS THAT INCLUDE SOCIAL STUDIES, LANGUAGE, ARTS, SCIENCE, MATH, COMPUTER, AND WRITING. PERIODIC ENRICHMENT WORKSHOPS/GUEST SPEAKERS OFFER STUDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPAND THEIR HORIZONS AND ENHANCE THEIR TALENTS. MERCY LEARNING CENTER IS OPEN YEAR ROUND, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE FIRST TWO WEEKS OF JULY. THE FULL-TIME INTENSIVE STUDY PROGRAM OPERATES FROM SEPTEMBER TO JUNE, IN AN EFFORT TO REDUCE CONFLICTS FOR MOTHERS WHO HAVE SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS. IN THE 2020-2021 ACADEMIC YEAR, 89 STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN THIS PROGRAM AND NINE RECEIVED HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMAS. 410930 101701 MLC EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAM IS A STATE OF CONNECTICUT LICENSED SERVICE THAT ELIMINATES BARRIERS TO LEARNING AND PROVIDES AN EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY FOR CHILDREN WHO WOULD NOT OTHERWISE RECEIVE IT FROM A FORMAL PRESCHOOL EXPERIENCE. WHILE THE MOTHERSSTRIVE TO REACH THEIR EDUCATIONAL GOALS IN MERCY LEARNING CENTER'S ADULT LITERACY AND LIFE SKILLS PROGRAMS, THEIR CHILDREN ARE CARED FOR AND INTRODUCED TO EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING IN THE CENTER'S ON-SITE INFANT, TODDLER AND PRESCHOOL ROOMS. THE CENTER AND ITS EDUCATIONAL CHILDCARE PROGRAM ARE OPEN WEEKDAYS FROM 8 AM TO 5 PM, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE FIRST TWO WEEKS IN JULY. IN 2020-2021, MERCY LEARNING CENTER SERVED 43 CHILDREN WHO RANGED IN AGE FROM THREE MONTHS TO FIVE YEARS. 2568314 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 7 0 1 55 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 16 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 CT X X X MARY BETH RAUSER 2033346699 637 PARK AVENUE BRIDGEPORT CT 06604 JANE E FERREIRA PRESIDENT & CEO 40.00 X X 168440 0 21055 JEANETTE LIZONDRO DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS 40.00 X 101136 0 10945 ANNMARIE MASSIE CHAIR 2.00 X X 0 0 0 HAYES CLARK VICE CHAIR 2.00 X X 0 0 0 ARLENE DOHERTY SECRETARY 2.00 X X 0 0 0 ROSEANNA COLEMAN TREASURER 2.00 X X 0 0 0 ALLISON ALLOTT DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 GARY ANDERSON DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 TAMMY BARRY DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 GINA BERANEK DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 MARY BUTALA DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 THEANNE CHIVILY FELDMAN DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 MICHAEL IAN DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 NANCY LAPERA DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 ANTOINETTE FARRUGIA MORO DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 ERIC SPEER DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 BRIAN WENZEL SR DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 269576 0 32000 2 0 1 0 0 503208 3334721 270860 3837929 116279 116279 251526 189103 62423 62423 62423 4016631 0 0 178702 635630 635630 196864 59059 98432 39373 1383778 1228539 58305 96934 151173 135954 5014 10205 88551 72789 8271 7491 440 440 15750 15750 16597 16597 5082 5082 71474 57400 7244 6830 107135 104993 1071 1071 2979 2979 154233 151149 1542 1542 28486 27916 285 285 INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS 91906 91906 SPECIAL EVENTS 12151 12151 2962229 2568314 212951 180964 292589 606399 1564686 1595097 160000 191150 27489 18552 3201856 1520965 1768502 1680891 4438103 5970042 29888 36956 13146 15533 8294403 10114620 49363 44388 34600 0 305208 0 389171 44388 X 6112973 7813689 1792259 2256543 7905232 10070232 8294403 10114620 1054402 1110598 0 X X 0 1 X 1 0 X 2803765 2319291 3464428 2826400 3837929 15251813 2803765 2319291 3464428 2826400 3837929 15251813 3259189 11992624 39484 59165 94693 130575 116279 440196 15692009 0.76430 0.76150 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 4448103 167000 1253773 5980042 4262737 185366 4448103 2690238 1300000 272499 4262737 2208797 310000 171441 2690238 1514692 510000 184105 2208797 1 0 96555 96555 2653234 1229614 1423620 452067 291351 160716 1680891 X 5118213 1110598 7581 1118179 4000034 16597 16597 4016631 2953213 7581 7581 2945632 16597 16597 2962229 PART X, LINE 2: THE FACILITY RECOGNIZES THE EFFECT OF INCOME TAX POSITIONS WHEN THEY ARE MORE LIKELY THAN NOT TO BE SUSTAINED. MANAGEMENT HAS DETERMINED THAT THE FACILITY HAD NO UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS THAT WOULD REQUIRE FINANCIAL STATEMENT RECOGNITION OR DISCLOSURE. THE FACILITY IS NO LONGER SUBJECT TO EXAMINATIONS BY THE APPLICABLE TAXING JURISDICTIONS FOR PERIODS PRIOR TO JUNE 30, 2018. 1 SCHOLARSHIPS - WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT 28 49995 RENT ASSISTANCE 38 168297 BILL ASSISTANCE 25 15239 UTILITIES PAYMENTS 26 15099 CAMPERSHIPS 7 4715 CITIZENSHIP 6 5482 TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE 22 37 558 COST DONATED TRANSPORTATION TICKETS FOOD ASSISTANCE 180 180439 158016 COST DONATED GIFT CARDS AND FOOD BAGS DONATED SUPPLIES 250 37753 COST DONATED TOOTHBRUSHES, BABY BOTTLES, RAZORS, DIAPERS PART I, LINE 2: ALL STUDENTS WHO REQUEST INDIVIDUAL OR FAMILY ASSISTANCE UNDERGO A BUDGET SCREENING BY THE CASE WORKERS TO DETERMINE THE EXTENT OF THEIR NEEDS. PAYMENTS ARE MADE DIRECTLY TO VENDORS. SCHEDULE I PART III MERCY LEARNING CENTER RESPONDED TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC DECLARED BY THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION IN MARCH 2020 WITH ELEVATED COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND INCREASED FINANCIAL AND IN-KIND SUPPORT FOR THE ORGANIZATION'S STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES TO ASSIST THEM WITH BASIC NEEDS. THIS ASSISTANCE INCLUDED FOOD, DIAPERS, RENT, AND UTILITIES PAYMENTS WHILE THE FAMILIES WERE QUARANTINED, UNEMPLOYED, AND MAINTAINING SOCIAL DISTANCING AS REQUIRED TO CONTROL THE SPREAD OF THE VIRUS. X X X X X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 JANE E FERREIRA PRESIDENT & CEO 145940 0 22500 0 0 0 0 0 21055 0 189495 0 0 0 PART I, LINE 7 THE PRESIDENT AND CEO, JANE E. FERREIRA, RECEIVED A DISCRETIONARY BONUS IN THE AMOUNT OF $22,500 AS INCLUDED IN PART VII, COLUMN (D), AND REPORTED IN SCHEDULE J, PART II, COLUMN B(II). THE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS, JEANETTE LIZONDRO, RECEIVED A DISCRETIONARY BONUS IN THE AMOUNT OF $15,541, AS INCLUDED IN PART VII, COLUMN (D). X 8 72433 COST X 180 158016 COST X EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE 51 37753 COST X SOFTWARE 1 2100 COST X TRANS. TICKETS 22 558 COST 0 0 1 1 PART I, COLUMN (B): THE NUMBER IN LINE 9, COLUMN (B) INDICATES THE NUMBER OF CONTRIBUTORS. THE NUMBERS IN LINES 19, 25, AND 26 INDICATE THE NUMBER OF CONTRIBUTIONS. SCHEDULE M SOCIAL SERVICES MERCY LEARNING CENTER'S HOLISTIC APPROACH IS UNIQUE IN THAT IT ADDRESSES THE NEEDS OF ITS LOW-INCOME, UNDEREDUCATED CONSTITUTENTS BEYOND THE CLASSROOM. A CASE WORKER AND VOCATION/COLLEGE COUNSELOR ARE AVAILABLE AT THE CENTER ALL YEAR TO MEET WITH STUDENTS TO ADDRESS POVERTY-RELATED ISSUES, INCLUDING HOUSING, ENERGY, IMMIGRATION, HEALTHCARE, EMPLOYMENT, POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION, AND PARENTING. ONE-ON-ONE COUNSELING, GROUP WORKSHOPS, AND GUEST PRESENTATIONS ARE OFFERED ON A REGULAR BASIS TO DEVELOP STUDENTS' LIFE MANAGEMENT SKILLS AND PROMOTE CONFIDENCE AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY. A FOOD PANTRY IS AVAILABLE TO FAMILIES AT THE CENTER WHO DEMONSTRATE SUCH NEEDS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B THE ORGANIZATION HAS ITS FORM 990 PREPARED BY AN OUTSIDE ACCOUNTING FIRM. IT IS THEN DISTRIBUTED TO THE ORGANIZATION'S FINANCE COMMITTEE AND MANAGEMENT FOR REVIEW. IT IS DISTRIBUTED TO THE FULL BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRIOR TO A BOARD MEETING, WHERE IT IS REVIEWED BY THE FULL BOARD WITH THE DISCUSSION LED BY THE ORGANIZATION'S TREASURER. AFTER DISCUSSION, THE BOARD VOTES TO APPROVE THE FORM 990 FOR FILING WITH THE IRS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C MERCY LEARNING CENTER'S GOVERNING BODY MANDATES THAT ALL MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND EMPLOYEES REVIEW AND SIGN THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY ON AN ANNUAL BASIS. THE SIGNED STATEMENTS ARE REVIEWED BY THE OFFICE MANAGER FOR ANY POTENTIAL OR ACTUAL CONFLICTS. IF A POTENTIAL OR ACTUAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST EXISTS, THEN THE OFFICE MANAGER REPORTS THIS TO THE CEO WHO THEN INVESTIGATES THE ISSUE AND REPORTS TO THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD. THE EMPLOYEE OR DIRECTOR WILL BE CONTACTED IMMEDIATELY IF A CONFLICT EXISTS AND WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO VOTE OR PARTICIPATE IN ANY DECISIONS ABOUT THE STATED CONFLICT UNTIL THERE IS NO LONGER A CONFLICT. ALL CONFLICT OF INTEREST DOCUMENTS ARE MAINTAINED IN A FILE AND ALL DIRECTORS AND EMPLOYEES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE UPDATING OF THIS STATEMENT THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 THE COMPENSATION OF THE CEO IS DETERMINED BY THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS WHICH COMPARES THE CEO COMPENSATION OF OTHER SIMILAR NON-PROFITS TO DETERMINE AN APPROPRIATE COMPENSATION RANGE. THE COMMITTEE, WITH THE INPUT OF ALL DIRECTORS (WHO COMPLETE A WRITTEN EVALUATION AND SUBMIT IT TO THE BOARD CHAIR) OVERSEES THE EVALUATION AND COMPENSATION DETERMINATION OF THE CEO. THE LAST REVIEW WAS COMPLETED ON JUNE 11, 2021. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 MERCY LEARNING CENTER MAKES ITS FORM 990 AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION AS REQUIRED UNDER SECTION 6104 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE BY POSTING IT ON THEIR WEBSITE, AS WELL AS ON WWW.GUIDESTAR.ORG AND OTHER SIMILAR TYPES OF WEBSITES. IN ADDITION, THE GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC BY REQUEST IN WRITING OR IN PERSON AT 637 PARK AVENUE, BRIDGEPORT, CT 06604 PART XII, LINE 2C THE ORGANIZATION HAS A COMMITTEE THAT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE OVERSIGHT OF THE AUDIT OF ITS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SELECTION OF AN INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANT. THE PROCESS HAS NOT CHANGED FROM THE PRIOR YEAR.