Ms. Shirley Merchant Celebrates 50 Years of Service at Detroit Harbor Light
* Ms. Shirley Merchant with her 50th Anniversary Plaque
The Salvation Army Detroit Harbor Light celebrated 50 years of service by Ms. Shirley Merchant on Wednesday, October 6. Known as “Merch” to her friends, Shirley has welcomed thousands of homeless and underprivileged people into the Harbor Light shelter with her warm smile and comforting voice.
Ms. Merchant’s passion to serve the marginalized people of Detroit as a Support Specialist began on her first day of work on September 25, 1972, when she became aware of the plight of Detroit’s homeless. She recalls going home and telling her husband about the “chaos and sadness” she witnessed on her first day. He asked if she was going back the next day and she replied: “of course, these people need me.”
One notable example of this need was one evening in December when a woman approached the shelter who had been thrown out of the house by her husband. She had a baby wearing only a sweater that was shivering. “I gave them some hot chocolate and got them all warmed up,” Ms. Merchant said. “They stayed for a while until they got on public assistance and things sort of straightened out.” Despite witnessing such sad occurrences however, she states adamantly “I wouldn’t want to do anything else.”
* Ms. Merchant's award for 50 years of service
Ms. Merchant says the highlight of her career was working in the nursery/day care center for the Evangeline Program, a shelter for mothers and children. She says it gave her a sense of purpose and awareness that her position played an important role in the lives of the children. “With me watching the kids, it allowed their mothers time to work on their recovery, which would in turn lead to a better life for the child.”
That enthusiasm to help the less fortunate has never wavered over the course of her career and is evident in her nearly perfect attendance record. “I enjoyed it every day, it was really rewarding,” she said.
In a touching tribute, Jamie Winkler, executive director of the Great Lakes Harbor Light System stated:
“We have been truly blessed to have such a selfless, caring individual on our staff for the last 50 years. Her grace and love for the people served by Harbor Light’s programs exemplifies our mission and the mission of The Salvation Army. Ms. Merchant, we thank you from the bottom of our collective heart, well done!”
*Top left: Robert Mailloux, Director of Operations Great Lakes Harbor Light System, top middle: Renee Shaw, Director of Programs Great Lakes Harbor Light System, top right: Danielle Smith, Human Resources Director Great Lakes Harbor Light System, bottom left: Ms. Shirley Merchant, Support Specialist Great Lakes Harbor Light System, bottom right: April Brooks, Executive Director of Human Resources at The Salvation Army Great Lakes Division.
To learn more about the great work being done at The Salvation Army Harbor Light go to: sagreatlakes.org/harbor-light