Page 33 - Mississippi/Louisiana Gaming News - Fall, 2024

Biloxi casinos join to support day center
By Lori Beth Susman
BILOXI — Representatives from Biloxi casinos visited the newly opened Mercy Cross Center to see the center and learn more about the services and activities offered at what was once a Catholic high school. It makes sense the casino executives would be interested in the center — the eight casinos donated a total of $85,000 in cash and in-kind donations to the Catholic Diocese to be used to enhance the facility, expand services and support daily operations.
Mercy Cross Center was a high school until Hurricane Katrina made it unusable
in 2005. The school’s gym, the only school building to survive Katrina, has sat empty and untouched through the years until recently when Bishop Louis Kihneman III had a vision and a plan to turn it into a day center.
Those in need are able to visit the
center and participate in services such as laundry, daily meals and showers. There are computers with internet for job searchers,
mental health counseling, cots for resting and clothing to take. As the clients work toward finding houses, they are also allowed to live
in the camp around center, which has 24/7 security and staffing.
Representatives from Biloxi casinos gathered with Bishop Louis Kihneman III (center) in the recently opened Mercy Cross Center. The casinos donated $85,000 to the Catholic Diocese to be used for maintaining and supporting the day center.
Jennifer Williams (left), director of the Catholic Charities of South Mississippi, and the Mercy Cross Center team.
For many, this is the safe place they’ve needed, and already, dozens of people have secured steady housing while others have found jobs.
Golden Nugget General Manager Chett Harrison started the fundraising among the casinos by calling leaders at the other Biloxi properties. “When I learned the new Mercy Cross Center provides essential services not widely available elsewhere,” he said, “I
saw an opportunity to bring the industry together to make an even greater impact.”
Harrison said he knows the issue of homelessness and can see the struggles they face, which have been exacerbated since Covid. “All of the Coast casinos have been actively involved in supporting food pantries and similar missions and will continue to do so as they serve a great purpose.”
The general manager said he received
positive responses when he reached out to other casinos and they were ready and willing to contribute.
Harrison said, “By pooling our resources and support, we can align in solidarity with the long-standing priorities of our city’s leadership and ensure the Mercy Cross Center continues to meet the needs of our community effectively.”
Along with Golden Nugget, casinos participating in the collective effort included Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, Boomtown Casino Biloxi, Hard Rock Biloxi, Harrah’s Gulf Coast, IP Casino Resort Spa, Palace Casino Resort and Treasure Bay Casino & Hotel.
Bishop Kihneman, who helped show the casino representatives around the center, was most appreciative of the donation. “You are an impressive group,” he said. “You compete with each other but also work together and came together in this way. Your contribution means a lot.”
FALL 2024 MISSISSIPPI GAMING NEWS 33