Belmont Coach, Athletes Pour into Mercy

February 16, 2016

AshleyCasavant

Ashley Casavant

“We love Mercy!” said Ashley Casavant, Assistant Women’s Cross Country and Track Coach at Belmont University. Coach Casavant and her Belmont Bruins aim to visit the Nashville Mercy home a few times a semester to, in her words, “just break bread and share in fellowship” with the Mercy residents.

Coach Casavant personally got involved with Mercy Multiplied five years ago. In addition to facilitating dinners at the Nashville Mercy home, she serves on Mercy’s Nashville Community Board and volunteers at the Nashville Run For Mercy 5K and Merry Mercy events.

Belmont Track Athletes

Belmont University track athletes visited Nashville Mercy residents last Thursday.

“Mercy is an incredible organization,” said Casavant. “I felt that it was just a perfect fit for my own athletes to also get involved. As women, we share similar struggles, and being able to support and love each other through them is so powerful and unique.”

Last Thursday, several of Casavant’s track athletes shared a meal with the Nashville Mercy residents. Mara White, senior mid-distance runner, said of the experience, “I love my girls at Mercy! It always brightens my day to spend a little time with them!”

“Being able to visit Mercy and interact with everyone there is always the highlight of my month! Every time I get to see those girls smile, it reminds me what a beautiful thing that life is!” said Alexa Yatauro, sophomore distance runner. “I love how all the girls have a unique and special story to tell, and I cherish hearing each and every one of them! God is truly at work in Mercy, and getting the opportunity to experience that is such a blessing in my life!”

Mercy Residents

Mercy residents and Belmont guests “breaking bread and sharing in fellowship”

Mercy is grateful for Coach Casavant and her heart to get involved and invest in the lives of young women. Coach Casavant would say she is the one who is blessed. “I love being around college-age women and being a small part in their journey and seeing the growth they experience over their four years at Belmont,” she said. “There is an emotional attachment experienced both with my own athletes and the women of Mercy; I feel empowered and encouraged when I’m around these inspiring women.”

For more information on how you or your organization can get involved with the work and mission of Mercy, click here.