Empowering Youth through Education

In 2002, a group of professional women in greater Chicago, including founding chairman Mary Dempsey, Commissioner of the Chicago Public Library, joined together to help us break down barriers to academic success. Today, the Leader Council improves access to educational and vocational opportunities for children living at Mercy Home and former residents in its AfterCare program.

Leader Council members donate time, talent, financial support and professional resources to open doors to learning and achievement for our youth. Thanks to their efforts, more young people from severely disadvantaged circumstances have gone on to success in higher education and are securing good jobs and building brighter futures.

The Leader Council is critical in securing funding for private schools and specialized learning centers that offer our children smaller classes and more personalized attention. Many young people who come to Mercy Home show remarkable academic improvement when placed in a new school where they can receive a fresh start and are allowed to catch up to their appropriate grade levels. Our significant investment in education empowers our children to create lifetimes of success.

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