Jack Lord had heard that cry of distress before.
“I need help with my homework!”
Nearly every week since 2001, Jack has volunteered at the Girls Campus of Mercy Home for Boys & Girls—and nearly as often, he has heard the same request. Over the years, has tackled algebra, geometry, trigonometry and even calculus, as well as a myriad of other subjects. With kindness and patience, he has helped our young women build their confidence and math skills, and decreased their fear of difficult assignments.
Jack’s dedication to our young people has made him a mentor to many of our kids, who consider him an adoptive grandfather. Colleen, a former resident and recent college graduate, still keeps in touch with “Grandpa Jack”, and credits him with helping her to graduate from high school.
Mercy Home residents attend Chicago-area private, parochial and public schools, and get help with their homework through our structured volunteer tutoring program, which takes place Mondays through Thursdays at our Girls and Boys Homes. Not all tutors have to be math whizzes—many make their impact simply through their consistent weekly presence and by coaching youth on study skills and emphasizing the importance of education.
Always one to go above and beyond, Jack has recruited several other tutors. Mercy Home is forever indebted to Jack’s contributions, as well as those of the more than 170 other volunteers who come every week and dedicate themselves to our kids’ academic success.
