About Divine Mercies Inc.

Divine Mercies Inc. is a Roman Catholic nonprofit dedicated to preserving, recording, and transmitting the lived witness of priests, religious brothers, and religious sisters before their histories are lost. Through deeply thorough, honest, yet reverent testimony, we ensure that the legacy, sacrifices, and spiritual contributions of clergy and religious are documented with accuracy for future generations.

Our mission integrates the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy with community development, vocational discernment, and testimony-based evangelization. With special emphasis on at-risk youth and intergenerational transmission of faith, we exist to strengthen Catholic witness through truth, mercy, and service—fostering authentic discipleship rooted in the Gospel and the lived experience of those who have consecrated their lives to Christ and His Church.

Who We Are

Divine Mercies Inc. is a Private Association of the Christian Faithful under Book II of the Code of Canon Law, Title V, Associations of the Christian Faithful (cann. 298 to 329). We exist to form and mobilize faithful Catholics for works of charity, evangelization, and vocational renewal.

Legal Status

Divine Mercies Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity.

EIN: 92-0616190

Our Mission

To foster community development by encouraging Christian vocational discernment, especially in at-risk youth, through deeply thorough, honest, yet reverent testimony.

What We Do

The Works of Mercy

Each Work of Mercy is a distinct mission within the larger mission of Divine Mercies Inc. Each page explains the Scriptural foundation, the Church's development over time, and practical ways to serve, volunteer, and support that mission.

Catholic Witness and Vocational Discernment

We preserve and share faithful testimony to strengthen Catholic identity, support discernment, and encourage service rooted in the Gospel.

Clergy and Religious Interviews (In Development)

We are building an interviewing initiative, including a future AI interviewer, to reverently record the lived witness of clergy and consecrated religious in partnership with volunteers.

Board of Directors and Officers

Divine Mercies Inc. is governed by a diverse Board of Directors and Officers whose combined experience spans nonprofit administration, finance, compliance, real estate, community development, public service, marketing, and Catholic religious life.

Executive Officers

Shpresa Grishaj

Shpresa Grishaj

Chief Executive Officer

Holds a BS in International Management from Dominican University New York. With over 19 years as a licensed real estate professional and 14 years of experience in nonprofit payroll, finance, compliance, HR systems, and financial reporting at a major human services organization, she brings expertise in accounting, audits, benefits administration, compliance, and organizational controls. Bilingual in Albanian and English, she serves as chief steward of mission execution, accountability, and strategic growth.

Lush Grishaj

Lush Grishaj

Chairman of the Board

Serves as spiritual director and governance leader with responsibility for oversight of conflict-of-interest compliance and board integrity. Maintains trusted standing with parish leadership and Archdiocese youth and young adult ministry leadership, with proven capacity to mobilize faith-based volunteers across parishes. Safeguards mission fidelity and Catholic identity throughout organizational operations.

Kristian Grishaj

Kristian Grishaj

Treasurer

Completed business studies at St. Thomas Aquinas College and Manhattan University. Brings 14 years of operational and financial management experience in a family-owned business and 4 years in construction project management including budgeting and contracting. Provides strong asset stewardship, record integrity, and fiscal oversight with fiduciary responsibility for nonprofit financial controls.

Marcel Grishaj

Marcel Grishaj

Secretary

Holds a BA in History from Dominican University New York. Provides over 10 years of management experience and 4 years in financial services recruiting and professional services coordination. Demonstrates strengths in documentation, compliance, record-keeping, and governance support. Fluent in English and Albanian with proficiency in Spanish.

Xhulia Grishaj-Preldakaj

Xhulia Grishaj-Preldakaj

Vice President and Director

Holds dual bachelor's degrees in Marketing and Marketing Management from Dominican University New York and Baruch College (Zicklin School of Business). Provides experience in strategic planning, brand coordination, business operations, and entrepreneurship with skills in organizational management, marketing strategy, and international collaboration. Fluent in Albanian and English with high proficiency in Italian. Supports organizational growth, communications strategy, and international engagement.

Board of Directors

Michelangelo Michael Giordano

Michelangelo "Michael" Giordano

Director

Licensed real estate professional with Keller Williams Hudson Valley Realty and owner of an established community-based food and catering business. Provides experience in probate, foreclosure, senior services, and complex transactions with prior nonprofit board service supporting community organizations. Brings practical governance and community engagement insight.

Radcliffe Blackwood

Radcliffe Blackwood

Director

Holds a BS in Marketing from SUNY Old Westbury. Provides nearly a decade of experience as a financial advisor with a major financial institution and additional experience as a relationship banker. Contributes expertise in financial oversight, branding, and strategic analysis to support long-term planning and fiscal responsibility.

Fechner Stecker

Fechner Stecker

Director

Holds a BA in Political Science and Government and a Master's in Urban Planning. Provides over 14 years of senior leadership experience within New York State public service with extensive background in community transition, fiscal services, policy, and program development. Strengthens governance, compliance, and service planning.

Jolanta Choinska

Jolanta Choinska

Director

Provides over 20 years of experience assisting leadership of a Roman Catholic religious community with deep background in religious elder care within the Archdiocese of New York. Fluent in English and Polish. Offers essential perspective on religious life, care, and mission alignment.

How to Support the Mission

Support can be directed to a specific Work of Mercy as a restricted gift, or to the general mission for the Board to allocate where most needed.

Divine Mercies Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity • EIN: 92-0616190