Alex arrived at Mercy Home’s door just last week—his belongings in a black trash bag, his mother not even glancing back in the rearview mirror as she drove away. After living with her his whole life, Alex is still confused as to why his mom doesn’t dote on him like other kid’s parents do.
As Mercy Home prepares to send Alex to a new school that will give him the attention he will need to catch up to his peers, the 12 year old looked back on how far behind he had fallen at his old school. He struggled. His grades were despicable. After failing fifth grade for the second time, Alex still continued to get almost straight F’s—except for a B in Music. Alex recalled in his admissions interview that most evenings consisted of getting himself home from school, fixing himself dinner—usually something he could microwave—and trying to get his homework done. With no parent around to enforce good study habits, he usually found himself being too distracted by a favorite television show or the newest video game, instead of completing his assignments.
His mom, who works nights at a downtown Chicago hotel, was rarely home, and when she was, he had to be quiet so he didn’t wake her. His dad, who Alex has never met, is said to be in prison for murder. Alex felt alone in the world—but just a week ago, that changed.
Alex arrived at Mercy Home’s door ready to move in. Immediately, he was struck by this entirely new atmosphere, one where he isn’t screamed at to quiet down or made to prepare his own meals. Instead he found a supportive home that will feed him, shelter him, and help him grow. And, he found a home that will give him the tools he needs to build a successful future—thanks to the compassionate donors who support educational programs at Mercy Home.
By providing Alex with a schedule every night, he will be able to budget his time, so that his homework is completed. By providing Alex with volunteer tutors, he will be able to ask for help when he doesn’t understand. By providing Alex with supplementary, after-school coursework, delivered each night at Mercy Home, he will be able to make up those lost years of school.
Using our strengths-based approach, Mercy Home’s staff will not only help Alex overcome gaps in core subjects like math and reading, but we will help him leverage his past success in music, which he loves, through our numerous music education programs. Mercy Home will do everything in its power to help Alex flourish, and we thank everyone who will help make this transformation possible.
