Scholars Retreat Builds Bonds to Support Success

For Marlin Exton of Mercy Home’s Education and Career Resources (ECR) department, the most notable moment at this year’s Community Care Scholar Retreat was unplanned and came after the two-day gathering had ended. Our college scholars came together days later to form an online group chat and shared their stories about living at the Home. Participants said they created the chat because they wanted to remain in touch as each moved into a new chapter of their lives. 

“They connected so well and there were so many scholars who’d been there before and had experience,” Exton said. “They just felt the need to take [new scholars] under their wing,” Exton said. 

With help from our donors, Mercy Home is able to assist former residents with continuing education after high school. Mercy Home scholars are former residents who receive financial assistance from Mercy Home. The scholars still take out federal student loans that are available to them, but Mercy Home pays the remaining college tuition and some scholars’ housing, as long as they meet the details of an agreement. As a bonus, scholars who earn Bs or better have their unsubsidized loan paid off at the end of the term.

The retreat at LaSalle Manor in Plano, IL was a chance to kick off the new school year and to review expectations of the scholarship agreement. ECR staff and scholars met to review the details and support they can expect to receive from Mercy Home.

“There were parts that were, [like] ‘here’s what this means when you’re signing this agreement,’” Exton said. “‘Here’s what we expect of you. Here’s what you can expect from the agreement and here’s where people slip up the most.’ The biggest takeaway was ‘please, please stay in contact with the people who are here to help.’ That is the biggest thing. We can help you through anything as long as you tell us.”

While a significant focus of the retreat was individual discussions on such topics as coping with stress or awareness about substance abuse in college, the scholars also had opportunities to ride bikes, go swimming, and relax. The first three hours were filled with bonding activities such as reverse charades and a water balloon battle before they got down to business.

The retreat isn’t the only event that the scholars will enjoy throughout the year. Two dinners at the end of the semester will celebrate their success, for example. But this get-together was a chance for them to get away from the city for a moment and enjoy some summer fun before taking on the challenges of higher education. 

“It’s a chance to get recharged for the next school year,” said ECR Vice President Liz Tomka.

Thanks to supporters who make it possible not only to open doors to higher education for our young people and alumni, but to provide them the ongoing support they need to excel.