Newsroom

June 17, 2009 

The young people of Mercy Home for Boys & Girls were honored at the yearly Academic Awards Banquet, held at St. Ignatius College Prep in Chicago. The event recognized our young men and women for their academic achievements throughout the school year.

The young achievers were honored in several categories of academic accomplishment. For example, 47 of our young people in residential, AfterCare and Friends First mentoring programs graduated from one of more than 50 Chicago-area schools. To encourage the continued hard-work of those who have overcame signifficant academic gaps between them and their peers, awards were also given for "Most Academically Improved."

June 8, 2009

Mentors Go to Camp

On June 6-7, thirteen matches in Mercy Home's Friends First mentoring program, along with Friends First staff members attended Camp Henry Horner in Ingleside, Illinois.

All of the mentors and their mentees overcame rainy weather to have a great time and a rewarding growing experience.  Matches enjoyed a number of team building activities, including canoeing, a high ropes course, board games, various sports, and bonding around the camp fire.

The Friends First mentees gained self confidence and developed leadership skills through working together.  Two of the youth created a performance around the camp fire involving a few actors from the group. Mentees broke barriers and tried new experiences while mentors encouraged and supported them.

May 6, 2009 

ABC 7 Chicago's Kathy Brock Visits Mercy Home

On Wednesday, May 6, 2009, news anchorwoman Kathy Brock, from ABC 7 Chicago, came to Mercy Home for Boys & Girls for a ‘meet and greet' with the graduating class of 2009. 

"Meeting Ms. Brock was an experience that will never be forgotten," said Stephen, a young man living in Sheil Home. 

Brock has generously donated her time to emcee Mercy Home's 7th annual Graduates' Luncheon.  The luncheon will take place on Wednesday, May 20, at the Hilton Chicago. 

The young men and women enjoyed a pizza party, while socializing and taking pictures with the anchorwoman.  Brock also brought gifts for the graduates, such as umbrellas, bags, pens, and note pads. 

A special thanks to Kathy Brock and Jayme Nicholas, both of ABC 7 Chicago.  Without them, this evening would not have been possible. 

March 23, 2009 

Mangia Bene—5th 'Cook Italy' Event at Mercy Home

Mercy Home welcomed the Italian American Chamber of Commerce for the fifth ‘Cook Italy' event to take place at the home.  

Each of our junior chefs helped Isola Imports, Inc. President, John Nitti, cook up an Italian feast of fresh bruschetta, truffle pasta, pasta con ceci, beef sausage, and fruit salad.   The young men also enjoyed large chocolate Easter eggs with surprises inside. 

While Nitti and the chefs were busy in the kitchen, groups of Mercy Home youth enjoyed an orientation on healthy eating by Loyola University nutritionist, Joanne Kouba. 

Thanks to everyone involved in the planning of cook Italy, especially our good friends at the Italian American Chamber of Commerce. Once again, it was a success! 

March 13, 2009 

Shamrocks for Kids on America's Country Station

WUSN 99.5 FM helped Mercy Home bring the Shamrock celebration to listeners far and wide. The U.S.'s largest country station welcomed Mercy Home on several broadcasts throughout March and joined us in area St. Patrick's Day parades. 

Click on the links below to listen to Mercy Home President Fr. Scott Donahue discuss Shamrocks for Kids with popular US 99.5 morning hosts Lisa Dent and Ramblin' Ray, from 3/13.

• Fr. Scott interview, part 1
• Fr. Scott interview, part 2

February 16, 2009 

Basketball Tournament Benefits Hurricane Recovery Foundation

On Monday, February 16, a group of young men living at Mercy Home for Boys & Girls lent a helping hand to victims of the 2005 Gulf Coast hurricanes. 

They hosted a 3-on-3 basketball tournament and bake sale to benefit the Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation, which provides resources for the relief, recovery and betterment of those affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. 

The young men were moved to help after watching the documentary "When the Levees Broke."   "We picked the Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation because we were affected by what we saw in the video," said Judah, age 17.   

The young men came up with the idea of a basketball tournament because they wanted to excite other Mercy Home youth about participating.  "We wanted something that we would be able to do, but that was also fun," said Judah. 

These young men dedicated their time to help those who lost everything in the disaster.  They also encouraged their peers and the co-workers at Mercy Home to get involved.  "It was very inspiring to see everyone that came out to play," said Josh, age 15. 

Each team was charged a registration fee, $2 for young men, and $5 for co-workers.  The tournament also featured a bake sale to raise additional funds.  They spent their free time on Sunday and Monday baking cupcakes and cookies to sell at the tournament. 

The tournament was a success, bringing more than 24 young men and co-workers out to play basketball and raise money.  Our young men are also planning a summer service trip to Louisiana. 

January 27, 2009

Hoops Spring Eternal

The NBA-style draft that created eight intramural basketball teams with Mercy Home youth marked the start of the 19th annual Hoops to Homework program. Created as an academic incentive for our young men at Mercy Home, the weekend basketball tournament will take place every Saturday through spring. In addition to current youth, teams also inlcude players who are volunteers, former residents and coworkers. 

Thanks to the long-time support of Tom LeClair, who started the program in 1990, Hoops helps give our young men a healthy sense of competition and sportsmanship, and encourages them to work hard and do well in school.

Januray 21, 2008 

Mercy Home Mentoring Program Featured on Evening News in Chicago

CBS 2 Chicago reporter Susan Carlson visited the Boys Campus at Mercy Home yesterday to feature our Friends First mentoring program. Mercy Home was featured alongside two other local organziations as part of a story about the national call to service. A write up of the story that aired was also posted on their web site, along with the video of the piece and a link back to our site.

Read the story and watch the video.

January 9, 2009

Mercy Home, AfterCare program featured in video on RollingOut.com.

A camera crew from Rolling Out Magazine, a national weekly print publication and Web site geared to a young professional, African-American audience, visited the AfterCare Christmas Celebration at Mercy Home in December. In addition to an article in their print issue of December 25, Rolling Out's web site featured an outstanding video about their visit.

Click here to watch the video.

December 18, 2008

For 16th Year, Mayor Daley Lights Up Christmas at Mercy Home

On December 18, Mercy Home for Boys & Girls hosted its 16th annual tree lighting.  The event included Christmas carols, a mime dance performed by the Vision Dance Troupe, and community service reflections read by some of our young people.  Two youth helped Fr. Scott and Mayor Richard M. Daley light up the 25-foot tree, while the crowd that braved the cold sang Silent Night. 

After the tree lighting, our young people and guests were invited inside for some hot chocolate, apple cider and cookies. 

December 11, 2008

Mercy Home AfterCare Member in the News

The bi-lingual newspaper Extra published a story about AfterCare member Carolina. Click here to read how she is working to acheive her dreams with the help of Elmhurst College and Mercy Home Leader Council member Mary Kay Mulvaney.

December 8, 20008

Buon Appetito

The kitchen at the Girls Campus was filled with laughter, fun, and Italian food Monday night.  Our young women were invited to participate in the second ‘Cook Italy' event, in which John Nitti, the President of Isola Imports, Inc., who has so generously supplied the food for all of the ‘Cook Italy' events, taught our girls how to make risotto Milanese, an authentic rice dish known for the region around Milan, Italy. 

With instructions from Nitti and helpers from the Italian American Chamber of Commerce (IACC), the girls made risotto with butternut squash.  Risotto is a dish with a high degree of difficulty as the rice must be stirred throughout the hour-long cooking time.  "My arm really hurt," said Shena, one of the young women who helped prepare the meal. "It was worth it though, our risotto turned out really good." 

In addition to the risotto, the meal included a salad with a home-made vinaigrette dressing, fresh fruit, and a traditional holiday Milanese sweet bread called Panettone for desert.  The young women and staff of Mercy Home all left the kitchen that night with full stomachs, and cannot wait for the next ‘Cook Italy' meal. 

Grazie to everyone who helped make the second "Cook Italy" a success. 

December 5, 2008

Trump Program Supports Kids at Christmas

The Trump International Hotel has partnered with Mercy Home for Boys & Girls. This Christmas season, guests can purchase a $25 commemorative glass ornament from the Chicago hotel's new Holiday Desk that benefits the home.

Learn more from Chicago's NBC5.com. 

December 4, 2008

The Drake Welcomes Christmas, Mercy Home

The Drake Hotel in Chicago will welcome 20 girls from Mercy Home to help kick off the holiday season during its first tree lighting ceremony. Learn more here.

November 26, 2008 

Chicago White Sox Always Eager to Help Community.

Click here to read how they do, including outfielder Brian Anderson's (right) work with our kids.

October 22, 2008 

Aspiring to Successful Futures

Representatives of the AT&T Foundation and public officials visited the Hay Campus last Thursday to present Mercy Home with a major grant in support of high school success and workforce readiness.

The grant was part of the foundation's national AT&T Aspire initive, a $100 million dollar program which includes $1.3 million competitive grants for select Chicago area schools and nonprofits.

Pictured above: Ald. Walter Burnett, Jr., 27th Ward, Laura Sanford, AT&T Foundation President, Fr. Scott Donahue, Paul La Schiazza, president, AT&T Illinois, IL State Rep. Art Turner, 9th District, Rich Daniels, Director, City Lights Orchestra/Chairman, Mercy Home Board of Directors and Board of Regents. 

The guests enjoyed a guided tour of the Bosco Home. 

October 6, 2008

La Cucina Italiana

The Hay Campus kitchen was filled with the pleasing aromas of Italian herbs and spices during the first of several "Cook Italy" events to be held at Mercy Home. Six young men from the campus and one AfterCare member worked together to create healthy, homemade pizzas under the expert tutelage of Chef Federico Comacchio of Phil Stefani's 437 Rush.

The budding chef's apprentices wowed their peers at the Boys Campus, who were treated to delicious and authentic Italian pizzas, featuring fresh, organic ingredients.

"Cook Italy" is an educational partnership between the Italian American Chamber of Commerce (IACC), Loyola University Chicago and Mercy Home. It was designed to expose our young people to Italian culture and cuisine, and to provide education about nutrition and healthy living. 

Thanks to the help of John Nitti, the President of Isola Imports, Inc., Chef Federico's class was fully equipped with all the ingredients needed to make enough pizza for 86 young men. Nitti donated the materials for the event because he wanted our young people to enjoy enriching and educational new experiences. "When I came from Italy I was an orphan," Nitti said.  "I like to pay back what I was given."  

The program also included an orientation on nutrition, led by Loyola University Chicago Joanne Kouba.

September 18, 2008 

Tutors Aid Academic Goals

We're happy to report that 157 volunteer tutors began working with our young people during the first few weeks of the new school year. Tutors held provide our kids with the support they need to catch up in class and excel academically. 

Please join us in thanking these generous and caring people who share their time and experience with young people to help them succeed in school and in life.

For more information on the tutoring program at Mercy Home, visit the tutoring page on our web site or learn more about volunteer opportunities at Mercy Home.

August 9, 2008 

New Volunteers to "Bring Light" to Mercy Home

During a Mass held on August 9 in Mercy Home's Baum Chapel, co-workers, former MercyWorks volunteers, friends and family members joined Fr. Scott in welcoming the 14 new volunteers who will begin their year of service in the MercyWorks program.

The new volunteers will spend the year working along side our young people and living out the program's five values: social justice, spirituality, simple living, and professional development.  They are employed throughout our youth homes, in the Academy, and in AfterCare.

The new MercyWorks volunteers lit candles from the baptismal candle as a symbol of their mission during their year of service.  By freely sharing their gifts, their energies, and their optimism with hurting young men and women, the MercyWorks volunteers will share with them the Light of Christ, and help bring hope and renewal to their lives.

After the Mass, the volunteers and guests enjoyed a reception in the Hay Campus dining room. Before beginning their work with young people, the volunteers are taking part in a spiritual retreat in Indiana.

August 2, 2008

Actively Reconnecting:
Record attendance at AfterCare picnic

Mercy Home welcomed AfterCare members and their families to the AfterCare program's annual picnic, held on the Hay Boys Campus last Saturday, August 2. This year's event boasted its best turnout yet-176 guests enjoyed games on the Field of Dreams, picnic fare, music and conversation. The water balloon toss, (pictured) is always a popular activity at the event and provided cooling relief to the very warm August afternoon. 

The picnic also saw an outstanding turnout by volunteers. Helping us roll out the welcome mat were co-workers from across the agency. Their generosity of spirit underscored Mercy Home's continuing commitment to provide AfterCare members with the very best support possible.

AfterCare is a lifeline for all young people who pass through our doors. Among the many supports the program provides are special gatherings like the annual picnic, which offer an opportunity for members to remain connected to their extended Mercy Home family and help us identify more ways to provide quality assistance.

July 24, 2008

Mercy Works, it Always Has, Say Those Culminating Service Year

"You are leading a happy life," Fr. Scott Donahue told the 2007-2008 group of Mercy Works volunteers on Tuesday evening, "because you're lives are full of faith, charity and relationships."  The volunteers celebrated the conclusion of their year of service with the help of friends, family and co-workers. 

Living and working at Mercy Home, the group focused on the five values of social justice, spirituality, simple living, and professional development.  This was clearly evidenced by the love and support demonstrated at their sending forth ceremony. 

For more about the Mercy Works program, click here.         

May 20, 2008 

Leader Council Honors Graduates from Mercy Home at Luncheon

The Leader Council honored the 47 young men and women from Mercy Home who are graduating from elementary schools, high schools, trade schools and colleges this spring. The event was held at the Chicago Hilton Hotel and was emceed by ABC 7 Chicago anchor Kathy Brock.

Speakers included a current Mercy Home youth, Reggie, who recounted his journey to graduation and beyond. Reggie's inspirational story was the subject of a column by the Chicago Sun-Times' Mary Mitchell on May 18.

Mercy Home alum and Chicago Police Sergeant Johnny O'Donnell also addressed the crowd, thanking supporters of our mission and urging the graduates to continue their education. 

April 28, 2008 

Fr. Scott Speaks out on Youth Violence

A recent and startling surge in youth violence in Chicago has the community coming together to find solutions.

In a letter to the editor in the Chicago Sun-Times (published Sunday, April 27, 2008), Fr. Scott offered the work that we do at Mercy Home in providing educational opportunity for kids in crisis as pivotol in helping kids create better futures.  He appealed to the public to get involved in the lives of kids and to support educational opportunity. To read the letter, click here.

April 21, 2008

Gentlemen of Mercy Home Brush Up on Etiquette

"You never have a second chance to make a first impression," said Karen with Blue Plate Catering, as she facilitated a part-class, part-dinner party for a group of our boys here at Mercy Home. 

With her colleague, Oliver, Karen addressed the basics of dinner party interactions, useful to the young men at the table interested in advancing their careers.  In addition, coworkers at Blue Plate informed the boys about careers in hospitality.  

Special classes such as this etiquette course are a part of our newest educational initiatives offered through our Academy.  This broad range of classes is focused on helping our hurting boys and girls find the confidence they need to flourish both inside and outside of the classroom. 

Here at Mercy Home, we're committed to helping our children find success and work towards their dreams-but without loyal friends like you, friends who truly share in our mission, opportunities for growth and learning like these would never be possible. 

During Blue Plate's etiquette course, Karen gave our young men tips about creating pleasant dinner conversation between acquaintances, and other matters of sophisticated interactions.  Karen and Oliver addressed issues of dress, hygiene, silverware, bread baskets, servers, wine glasses and a host of other concerns.

"There are three types of handshakes," Karen smiled, as she used resident Terry to demonstrate the spectrum of handshakes that goes from extra to limp to overly firm. She urged the youth to remember they should always stand for an introduction, and "there is nothing more attractive than confidence."

Over the course of the evening, our boys practiced setting an elegant dinner table, as well as different napkin folds used in such occasions.

Blue Plate treated the group to a delicious three course dinner starting with Caesar salad, with Chicken Parmesan as a main dish, and a chocolate cupcake for dessert. 
 

While some of our kids were skeptical about the experience at first, many soon realized the value of the etiquette class. "I learned a lot," said Josh, one of our boys. "I'm going to go visit them [Blue Plate] over the summer time."

March 25, 2008

Mercy Home Still Celebrating St. Pat's, Helping Kids

Mercy Home is nearing the end of another successful Shamrocks for Kids program, presented by Jewel-Osco. The annual St. Patrick's-Day-themed celebration helps raise support for Mercy Home and awareness about kids in crisis.

Mercy Home participated in three Chicago-area St. Patrick's parades and distributed its recognizable shamrock pins for donations throughout Chicagoland. On Satruday, March 15, Mercy Home hosted the 13th annual Post-Parade St. Patrick's Day Celebration. The family-friendly event featured great Irish food and entertainment and filled the International Ballroom of the Chicago Hilton Hotel with dancers, musicians, costumed characters, face-painters and kids of all ages.

While St. Patrick's Day may have come and gone, the Shamrocks for Kids program continues through the end of March at Chicago-area Jewel-Osco food stores. Until March 31, when you purchase select Kellogg's, Edy's, or Kimberly-Clark products at participating Jewel-Osco stores, 10 cents of each purchase will go directly to Mercy Home.

Additionally, shoppers can sign up to win the Shamrocks for Kids Family Vacation Sweepstakes. Grand prize is round-trip air transportation for four to Ireland, courtesy of American Airlines. Accomodations provided by Cork County. Qualified entrants can also enter the sweepstakes by clicking here.

Special thanks to all sponsors of this year's Shamrocks for Kids.  

March 12, 2008 

SNL Alum and Jazz Musician Help Shamrocks for Kids 

As they did last year, Chicago actor and Saturday Night Live alum Tim Kazurinsky and musician Dean Rolando stood outside the Jewel-Osco store in Evanston, IL on Wednesday, March 12 to distribute shamrock pins for donations to Mercy Home for Boys & Girls.

Jewel-Osco is the presenting sponsor of Shamrocks for Kids. The shamrock pins, also distributed at several Chicago-area St. Pat's celebrations, allowed the public to wear its support for kids in crisis and help Mercy Home.

February 28, 2008  

Mercy Home Honors Black History Month

Youth at Mercy Home have been celebrating Black History Month in February.  Several events provided youth with opportunities to examine contemporary issues affecting youth of all colors, and to learn about the contributions of African Americans. 

Skit, trivia and door decorating contests afforded youth the opportunity to explore imporant Afriacan Americans in history. And, youth programs hosted its 2nd annual panel discussion, titled "The Importance of Education for Our Culture"

The celebration concludes on Friday, February 29, with "Celebrating Black History through Performance Art."  Youth and staff will present impressions of black history through song, dance, music, poetry, mime, plays, or other performance art.

January 22, 2008 

Homework Hoopla ‘08

Co-workers, youth, donors and fans gathered in the Noha Gymnasium on Wednesday evening to kick off Mercy Home's annual Hoops to Homework tournament.  The program opened as it does every year with a live, multi-round draft. Volunteer coaches enlisted players to teams sporting the names of such NCAA favorites as Duke, Notre Dame, Illinois, and more. 

With a ceremonious handshake, each youth agreed to play on a team, as well as to demonstrate extra academic effort throughout the tournament.  The Hoops to Homework program encourages Mercy Home youth to work hard in school and in program.

During the draft, each coach boasted-sometimes spectacularly-about the extreme athletic talent that each young man picked would bring to their organization. However, Hoops to Homework affords youth a friendly, competitive environment fit for all skill levels.

Before the draft, members of last year's top Hoops team, "The Chicago Bulls," unveiled their championship banner, now proudly displayed along with eight others on the wall of the Noha Gymnasium. 

January 15, 2008 

Wrapped Up in Christmas

Thanks to the generosity of others, our kids celebrated Christmas with their peers, advocates, and friends. Many of our young people come to us from households that have known few truly happy holidays. That's why we are so grateful for caring people who donated time, services, food and gifts, so that we could hold a number of memorable yuletide festivities.

On Saturday, December 8, Mercy Home's Friends First volunteer mentoring program held its annual holiday party for its volunteer matches.  The program extends our mission of caring for kids in crisis by matching adult mentors with young people living out in the community. Guests enjoyed food, games and of course, a visit from Santa Claus.

The following Thursday, December 13, Mercy Home welcomed back former residents for our annual AfterCare Christmas Party. Our AfterCare program offers all former residents a life-long connection to their Mercy Home family, and the annual Christmas party provides them with a special homecoming opportunity. More than 300 former residents and their loved ones enjoyed the chance to re-connect with old friends and staff.  

Youth in our 14 residential home programs are also marking the Christmas season together. On December 18, Fr. Scott Donahue led a spiritual celebration in honor of the birth of our Lord for the young women who live at our girls campus. Afterward, they enjoyed a special holiday dinner and gathered around the fireplace in the Walgreen Home's vast living room, where they sang carols and opened presents.

At the Hay Boys campus the next evening, Fr. Scott, several co-workers, and jolly old St. Nick himself visited each home program individually and delivered presents. The presents our young people receive during the holiday season have been generously donated, including those that came to us through our Christmas Wish List program.

Mercy Home is grateful to everyone who generously supported our efforts to make Christmas bright for our young people. Special thanks to Deno's Catering for donating the food for the youth's Christmas dinners. 

November 15, 2007

Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

It wasn't quite Santa's workshop, but on a recent Saturday afternoon, four professional designers and two dozen youth had the Hay Campus buzzing as they installed the first of many colorful Christmas decorations that will soon brighten Mercy Home for the Holidays.

The designers were from the Ivan Carlson & Associates, a full-service event design and production company. The designers generously donated their time and talents to guide youth on how best to deliver that perfect Yuletide touch to the hallway outside the Regent's Room, and inside the Multi-purpose room.

First, in the Regents Room, they walked the youth through the process of preparing the ornaments, carefully unpacking bulbs and tying wire. Once completed, a designer stood at every one of three trees to teach the youth the basics of trimming a tree for Christmas.

Tina Carlson of Ivan Carlson & Associates was introduced to Mercy Home through our Board of Regents Chairman Rich Daniels. The designers brought a little bit of Christmas to the Hay Campus just as their very busy holiday decorating season was about to begin. Ivan Carlson's work brightens some of the most high profile places in Chicago, including The Field Museum, Millennium Park and Navy Pier. They will return to Mercy Home in the coming weeks to complete decoration of the dining room, the Regents Room, and the common areas in the Girls Campus. 

November 14, 2007

Friends First Holds Frightful Fun for Halloween

On October 27, the Friends First volunteer mentoring program held a Halloween party for mentors and youth in the Hay Campus dining room. Nearly 40 mentors, youth and co-workers from Friends First enjoyed the festivities, which included a costume contest, pumpkin carving, a piñata, pizza, and cupcakes.  Afterward, participants piled into a bus and headed to Peterson Park on the northwest side where they enjoyed its "Haunted Trails of Terror" corn maze.  A scary good time was enjoyed by all.

October 17, 2007

Rancic Keeps Mercy Home In the Loop

Long time volunteer and Mercy Home Board of Regents member Bill Rancic sat 14 young men from Mercy Home in the studio audience of NBC's In the Loop with iVillage on Monday, October 8. That morning's episode centered on topics and issues relating to kids. 

Overall the young men were captivated by the behind-the-scenes look at a network television program and a number of them commented that they might enjoy a career in television production.

Rancic regularly secures learning and motivational experiences for our young people. Over the course of the past year, for example, he took several groups of Mercy Home youth to some of the best restaurants in Chicago to motivate and mentor them.  He has also brought a group of young men with him to Maine to refurbish a youth center and celebrate the value of helping others. And, he has recognized the achievement of several Academic All Stars by taking them to New York City, where he sat them in the audience for the season finale of NBC's The Apprentice.

Rancic hosts In the Loop with iVillage which airs locally on NBC5 from 11 am to noon, Monday through Friday.

October 16, 2007

Volunteers Redecorate Daley Home Study

On Saturday, September 29, Leader Council member Mary Kay Mulvaney, Judy Fiene and their colleagues from Elmhurst College visited the Hay Boys Campus to redecorate the study area in Daley Home. They added a splash of fun to the space with life size posters of NBA & NFL players, as well as some comfortable touches with body pillows and bean bag chairs.

They also supplied books, computer games, board games, and school supplies for the boys. DJ, BJ, and Josh all youth of Daley Home, helped decorate and enjoyed the morning. Parents who saw the study area during Back to School night the following day were impressed.

Thanks to everyone from Elmhurst College for their generous donation of time and materials.

September 28, 2007 

Tutor Turnout Supports Youth Education

The new school year is in full swing and Mercy Home reports that this year's tutoring program started strong out of the gate. During the first week of this year's program, 115 tutors came to the Hay Boys Campus and 45 tutored at the Girls Campus.

This year's volunteers are a mix of fresh faces, veteran tutors, and co-workers from Mercy Home. Some returning tutors have been working with our youth for as many as 10 years.

Please join us in thanking these generous and caring people who share their time and experience with young people to help them succeed in school and in life.

September 17, 2007

Marina City Golf Event to Benefit Mercy Home 

Begining on September 18, part of a Chicago architectural icon--the two columned Marina City at 300 N. State Street--will be transformed into a nine-hole golf course, virtual driving range, and chipping area in a two-week event that will benefit Mercy Home.

Click here to read the press release for more information on the Glenlivet City Links in Chicago. 

August 24, 2007 

Charlie Trotter Celebrates Namesake Restaurant, Mercy Home

Chef Charlie Trotter celebrated the 20th anniversary of his landmark Chicago restaurant on Sunday evening, August 19.  Mercy Home was chosen as the sole beneficiary of the proceeds from the event, just as it had been 10 years ago during Charlie Trotter's 10th anniversary.

Sunday evening's 10-course dinner was prepared by celebrity guest chefs, which included Emeril Lagasse and Norman Van Aken, as well as Mercy Home alum, Aaron Lindgren, who served as the event's featured pastry chef. After Mercy Home introduced Lindgren to Chef Trotter 10 years ago he was invited to work at the restaurant. With hard work and determination, Lindgren mastered his craft and today is the Executive Pastry Chef at the Four Seasons Beverly Wilshire Hotel in California.

Eight young men and women from Mercy Home attended Sunday night's event with Fr. Scott Donahue, greeting guests and enjoying an exquisite meal prepared by the best in the business. Chefs visited the youths at their table and told them how they kept focused on their life's goals to scale the uppermost reaches of the culinary profession. The chefs encouraged the young men and women to follow their own dreams and to always strive to be the best in whatever callings they choose to follow.  

Throughout the past year, Chef Trotter has involved Mercy Home youth in Charlie Trotter's Excellence Program at the restaurant. The program gives young people fine-dining experiences while encouraging them to strive for excellence as they pursue their passions.

Mercy Home is enormously grateful to Chef Trotter for donating the very substantial proceeds of the anniversary event to Mercy Home, and for his ongoing support of our young men and women.

July 14, 2007

Country Music Superstars Sing for Mercy Home

Tim McGraw and Faith Hill performed a special concert in the wee hours of Saturday morning, July 14 at the House of Blues in Chicago following their show at the United Center earlier the previous evening.

Thanks the advocacy of WUSN 99.5, the local radio station that promoted the Chicago appearances, the Grammy Award-winning artists selected Mercy Home for Boys & Girls as the charitable beneficiary of the event, along with the couple's Neighbor's Keeper Foundation. WUSN in Chicago is an outstanding supporter of Mercy Home and sponsored Shamrocks for Kids earlier this year.

The House of Blues appearance was part of Tim McGraw's "Bread and Water" shows, which he began in 2000. These intimate club concerts allow McGraw, his band and special guests to showcase select material and raise funds for local charities that McGraw selects before the show.

July 3, 2007

School Cheers

Mercy Home youth, co-workers and scholarship donors gathered at the Palmer House Hilton Hotel on June 25 to celebrate the completion of another successful school year.

The annual Youth Programs Education Banquet event honors the achievements of Mercy Home youth in elementary school, high school and college. Young people living at Mercy Home and members of its Aftercare program were recognized in several performance areas, including those who received scholarships, graduated, maintained good gpa's while working, and those who demonstrated significant academic improvement. 

Two young people from Mercy Home gave moving accounts of the difficulties they had overcome to succeed in school and in life.

Mercy Home places a special emphasis helping its children build a strong academic foundation for a lifetime of success. Many young people come to Mercy Home from impoverished backgrounds and from underperforming schools. Mercy Home provides them with tutoring and scholarship opportunities, as well as a host of other educational enhancements and achievement incentives.

The annual banquet is the highlight of the academic year for the young people of Mercy Home and is an outstanding opportunity to celebrate and encourage academic excellence. We congratulate our young people for all of their hard work during the past year and wish them continued success as they move ahead in the next school year and beyond.

‘Fr. Scott' Celebrates 25 Years as Catholic Priest

On Sunday, June 24, Mercy Home for Boys & Girls President and CEO Fr. Scott Donahue celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving at historic Holy Family Church in Chicago to mark his 25 years of priestly service. More than 800 friends and well-wishers attended the Mass and the reception that followed at St. Ignatius College Prep.

Fr. Donahue was ordained on May 12, 1982. He has since devoted his life to ministering to parishioners at several Chicago churches, and working to provide healing for troubled and disadvantaged young people.

In addition to serving as a parish priest at St. Juliana, St. Barnabas, and currently, at St. Robert Bellarmine, Fr. Donahue for ten years worked as the vocations director for the Chicago Archdiocese. He has ministered to the young men and women at Mercy Home since 1993, and became the Home's Associate President in 1996. In April 2006, Cardinal Francis George appointed Fr. Donahue to as Mercy Home's eighth President in its 120 year history.

As he reflects on 25 years in the service to the faithful and to the poor and needy, Fr. Donahue said that if he were to choose one word that best describes his journey as a priest, it would be ‘gratitude': "I am deeply grateful to God for the many blessings that He has bestowed on me."

May 3, 2007 

Q101 and Reading is Fundamental Team Up to Provide Books 

Thanks to Q101 and Reading is Fundamental (RIF), every young person at Mercy Home received a new book at two recent events.  Q101 on-air personality "Electra" and RIF program coordinator Julie Lawrenz visited the Home with a vast seleciton of titles from which every youth was allowed to select one. 

The partnership between the popular Chicago radio station and the nation's largest children's literacy organization also added about 100 new books to Mercy Home's collection which all of our young people will be able to enjoy for a long time.

Q101 and RIF will be back again througout the year to donate more books and encourage a love of reading for Mercy Home's young men and women. Special thanks to Electra, Julie Lawrenz, and RIF's Executive Director Evan Georgi for heloing to encourage reading and learning at Mercy Home.

February 9, 2007

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois has Mercy Home Covered

Blue Cross Blue Shield is a long-time supporter of children’s health at Mercy Home. This year this generous corporate partner topped their past support with an incredible grant of $75,000, which brought their contributions to provide health and wellness to the uninsured youth of Mercy Home to $185,000 since 2003.

“What better way to demonstrate a commitment to helping our young people than by helping ensure that they will have the access to health care that they need,” said Fr. Scott Donahue, president and CEO of Mercy Home for Boys & Girls.” Blue Cross Blue Shield has gone the extra mile in helping us create a healthy home for God’s children, and we are deeply thankful,” Fr. Donahue said.

Jim Corrigan, a member of Mercy Home’s Board of Regent’s, and a Board Member with Blue Cross Blue Shield, said,  "It is critically important and fundamental to the growth and development of these young men and women at Mercy Home that nothing stands in the way of their receiving good medical care.  I commend Blue Cross Blue Shield for their ongoing efforts in combating the uninsured health care problem by coming to the aid of our uninsured youth,” Corrigan said.

The company’s support assists the Home in providing routine preventative as well as critical care, medications, and diagnostic procedures, and helps promote healthy lifestyles among youth at Mercy Home. 

New Chicago Mercantile Exchange Trust Furthers Education at Mercy Home

Chicago Mercantile Exchange Trust announced its first-ever grants in December advancing education in financial markets and education and health of children and youth. Among the non-profit organizations receiving funds from the Trust, Mercy Home was awarded a three-year grant for educational counseling and tutoring. The news was announced at a ceremony at CME that included CME leaders, Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley and several youth from Mercy Home on December 12.

CME Trust was established by CME in 1969 to provide financial protection to customers. In 2005, CME Trust received approval to distribute its net income to public charities.

CME Trust is pleased to provide significant, multi-year support to Mercy Home for its efforts to provide every educational oppotunity to its residents," said Kassie Davis, Executive Director of CME Trust.

While the gift was the first to come to Mercy Home through the Trust, CME has been a long-time supporter of Mercy Home. As a founding partner in Ringside for Mercy’s Sake, the CME has been in Mercy Home’s corner since the event’s beginning in 1992. CME leadership has served on the executive committee for all 15 Ringside events.

“Today marks a wonderful new chapter in the Chicago Mercantile Exchange’s long-standing generosity toward the young men and women of Mercy Home,” said Fr. Scott Donahue, president and CEO of Mercy Home following the announcement.  “We are so grateful to them for their continuing support of our mission, and especially for the dedication they have shown to helping our kids create better futures through education,” Fr. Donahue said.