Mott Haven's Mercy Center employs former GED student

The Mercy Center in Mott Haven has been offering free English classes for years, and it has changed the life of one former student.
Jhensy Urvaez emigrated to the U.S. from the Dominican Republic in 1996. Two years later, she says she found her home at the Mercy Center.
"When I came here I had big dreams like go back to school and help my family there," says Urvaez.
Those dreams are now coming true. After she completed her GED and English as a second language classes, she became an educational assistant at the center.
Founded in 1990, the Mercy Center also offers a variety of workshops including computer literacy and parenting classes. The center also provides baby sitters when parents are in class.
Urvaez says the center is like a second family to her and feels grateful for the opportunity.