Palisades Emergency Residence Corporation

PERC CHANGES LIVES

“Mario” was a young man who had to leave home when his mother could not afford to feed him.  After living on the street and on roof-tops, he came to PERC not knowing what to do.  He was hungry, and we fed him. He had no home, so we gave him a bed. We then were able to place him into transitional housing. Mario is now a junior in college with a bright future.

“Liza” is a woman in her early 60s.  Although she was looking for a job, it is hard to find work at a livable wage at her age.  She had an apartment and some financial assistance, but it was not enough. PERC’s soup kitchen and food pantry made all the difference. That extra bit of help kept her in her home.

“Carlos” is a young student who came to the PERC Kids Program. Since he only spoke Spanish at home, he was having difficulties with English, having trouble in school, and his parents were not able to help him with his homework. PERC’s after-school Homework Club gave him the extra assistance he needed to improve his grades and excel.  He now makes the Honor Roll every marking period. 

Palisades Emergency Residence Corporation (PERC) exists to defeat the cycle of poverty, understanding that food and shelter are fundamental human rights. PERC believes that with help, there is hope. We believe that every person deserves dignity, respect and opportunity.

PERC achieves our mission by providing emergency shelter for women, men and families, permanent housing for chronically homeless individuals, a soup kitchen and food pantry, advocacy and educational and community-based support services. 

Check out our 
Virtual Food Drive 

PERC FACTS

In 2012 PERC:

• Provided 19,315 nights of shelter to men, women, and families.
• Provided 82,822 meals through our soup kitchen to people who would have otherwise gone hungry.
• Provided groceries for over 12,000 low-income people through our weekly food pantry.
• Moved 46% of our shelter guests into permanent housing, far above the national average. 

The number of people we help increases each year, but resources have not kept up with demand.  Each year we do more while working with less. 

LATEST NEWS (read more)

Justus Clothing features PERC on Facebook: Rays of Hope

PERC Elects New Board Officers and Trustees

Shelters Are Squeezed by "Coldest Nights"

Shelter Shatters Record

Over One Million Meals Served

THE FACES OF PERC

The faces of PERC's clients may surprise you.

Poverty and homelessness are often misunderstood or tainted by stereotypes. The women, men, and children who come to PERC are as diverse as any group of people, with widely ranging stories, circumstances, and aspirations.

People living in poverty are our neighbors. They are parents who must choose between paying rent or buying food. They are children who may have lifelong health problems due to insufficient diets. They are senior citizens struggling to live on little or no income. Most of our residents have jobs and are saving for their move into an apartment.