Page 16 - South Mississippi Living - September, 2024

COAST NOTE
elping the homeles
Biloxi’s Eight Casinos Partner with Mercy Cross Center
story by Lynn Lofton
photo courtesy of Juliana Skelton, Catholic Diocese of Biloxi
All eight Biloxi casinos came together to donate $85,000 to the Mercy Cross Center in Biloxi in support of Biloxi’s homeless population. This collective effort includes Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino, Treasure Bay Casino & Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Biloxi, IP Casino Resort Spa, Harrah’s Gulf Coast, Boomtown Casino, and Palace Casino.
The Mercy Cross Center for the Homeless is dedicated
to providing essential services and support to individuals experiencing homelessness. Founded with a mission to uplift and empower, the center offers laundry, showers, job placement assistance, mental health counseling and more.
Collaborating with community partners, Mercy Cross
Center strives to address holistic needs, fostering stability and reintegration into society. It is housed in the former Mercy Cross High School. The casino contributions will directly enhance facilities, expand services, and support daily operations.
“Community investment is a key pillar of MGM Resort International’s social impact and sustainability initiative,” said Beau Rivage President &
COO Brandon Dardeau. “Together, with the
generosity of our Biloxi casino partners, we are able to stand united in support of the Mercy Cross Center.”
General Manager Chett Harrison highlighted the urgent need to address homelessness, particularly in light of challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. “All of the Coast casinos have been actively involved in supporting food pantries and similar missions and will continue to do so,” Harrison said. “However, when I learned the new Mercy Cross Center provides essential services not widely available elsewhere, I saw an opportunity to bring the gaming industry together to make an even greater impact.”
The Center partners with Loaves and Fishes to provide breakfast, lunch and a third to-go meal four days per week. Community partners also bring their services to the guests, which are vital in helping individuals in need move towards stability and reintegration into society. Since its June opening, the Center has helped 39 residents move out of homelessness.
“We have taken an unconventional approach and it has proven to be making a difference,” said Diocesan Director of Catholic
Charities of South Mississippi Jennifer Williams. “We treat our residents like guests, creating a culture of mutual respect and preparing them for reintegration into society. We appreciate the ongoing support of the gaming industry and
are proud that some of our guests have become employees of area casinos and other businesses.”
Golden Nugget Biloxi Vice President and 16 | September 2024
www.catholiccharitiesofsouthms.org/mercy-cross-center
www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living