Academic Awards Celebrate Successful School Year

July 9, 2025

The conclusion of the school year gave Mercy Home the opportunity to celebrate our young people’s academic and professional achievements over the past year at our annual Education and Career Resources (ECR) Awards. The ceremonies honored the successes and improvements each of them made while living at Mercy Home.

While the annual Graduates’ Luncheon focuses on those who have earned degrees, the ECR Awards allow us to recognize youth at all levels of education and for a variety of academic efforts and accomplishments.

“Whether they’re holding a job, finishing up a certificate or finishing up a grade level, it’s important to recognize their hard work and their perseverance to achieve and do well,” ECR Director Sergio Rodriguez said. “Even if they didn’t have the best year, we want to recognize them for sticking it out and making an effort to do the best that they can.”

Many of our young people came to Mercy Home in need of academic assistance. Some lacked the confidence, resources, or atmosphere to thrive in school. This celebration honored each of our youth with a certificate and an award tailored to their individual academic achievements.

“For me, [The ECR Awards is about] letting them know I see you, I hear you, you matter, you’re valuable and you’re important. Because often they don’t see it,” said Lisa Joy, a coordinator with Mercy Home’s ECR department.

Before the awards kicked off, our coworkers and young people ate a delicious dinner together. ECR Director LaTasha Battie-Jones even made homemade candy bars for everyone. On the back of the wrapper, there was a QR code that they could scan, which took them to an inspirational song on YouTube that they could listen to.

Jessica, a Walsh Campus resident, received the Bill Gainer Award, which is given to one youth for their successful academic and outstanding character. This was also the first year that the Walsh Campus gave the highest GPA award and the most improved for each program.

“[The ECR Awards] helps them to see each other in a different light,” Battie-Jones said. “They were cheering each other on, encouraging each other, announcing who they thought the award [was for]. We might have our differences, but during this time we’re going to celebrate and build that family with our program and rally them on.”

Both Joy and Battie-Jones have been at Mercy Home for less than a year. This was a monumental moment for them to see the young people receive well-deserved awards and feel supported and celebrated.

Rebekah, a Walsh Campus resident, had a fun experience at the awards ceremony.

“The energy [was great]. Everyone was cheering each other on, and encouraging each other,” Rebekah said. It made me feel happy and that we all had each other’s backs.”

Simone, another Walsh Campus resident, attended her first ever ECR Awards, and she went home with the Youth Integrity Award.

All of the girls were promoted to the next grade level, an ultimate testament to our coworkers’ diligent work at helping our youth achieve educational goals.

An identical event was held on our West Loop Campus, albeit with a slightly different theme of “A Kaleidoscope of Achievement.”

“This school year, like life itself, was a kaleidoscope of experiences—some wonderful, some challenging, and some we might wish to redo,” Rodriguez told the crowd. “But that’s the beauty of it: each experience is unique to you, shaping who you are and what you make of it.”

Josh, a resident at our West Loop Campus, earned the After School Program Star of the Year Award. He participated in nearly every after-school opportunity including Music Therapy Club and Soccer Club. Meanwhile, Judah, Lawrence, Cheick, and Shawn were honored with the Tutees of the Year Award.

“These students arrive on time, prepared, with personal dedication and investment in their own growth even on tough days,” Senior Coordinator of Tutoring and After School Programs Veronica Quintero said.

Misael, a Mercy Home resident who arrived on campus two years ago, received the Employee of the Year Award. He started working in the Mercy Home kitchen in April and has taken great pride in his responsibilities. 

“I clean dishes and the tables,” he said. “I love what I do because I get to help the staff here enjoy clean plates. The staff does a lot of hard work so that’s another motivation for when I work here.”

The young people at Mercy Home began this year from many different starting points. Some were focused on academics, while others searched for employment or finding their next step in life. 

“There were moments when the path ahead may have seemed unclear or even unattainable, yet you all persevered and made it to the end,” Rodriguez said. 

Thank you to everyone who made this school year a success for our young people!