The mission of the Mercy Education Project is to provide educational opportunities, life skills development and cultural enrichment for women and girls who have limited access to resources to enable them to improve the quality of their lives. Mercy Education Project is a private, nonprofit charitable organization with 24 years of experience boosting the academic advancement of low-income girls and women. Nearly 300 women and girls of diverse ethnic, racial and religious backgrounds go through our programs each year _ ready to take a new step toward academic success and a brighter future. Our primary programs are: GED and literacy classes, 16 hours per week, for women; and after-school tutoring for girls from first grade through seniors in high school. The organization operates with a $1 million budget, a staff of 4 full- and 10 part-time employees, and more than 120 volunteers who donate over 8,000 hours each year tutoring and helping in other meaningful ways. Private funding from foundations, corporations, individuals and others sources makes up 80 percent of the budget revenue. Mercy Education Project was named a 2013 Crain's Best Managed Non-profit Award winner. In 2011, MEP was selected as a Reading Works agency recognized for its excellence in adult education. In 2010, MEP was honored by Charter One and WXYZ as the Champions in Action¬ winner in Michigan in the area of workforce development.