‘It Takes a Village’: Graduates Share Stories of Support That Led to Success

June 17, 2026

“What you do for Mercy Home touches countless lives.”
—Gaby, Mercy Home alumnus
and Graduates’ Luncheon speaker

The 24th annual Graduates’ Luncheon, hosted by our Leader Council, delivered guests another inspiring afternoon of hope and the opportunity to celebrate our young people. Held at the Chicago Hilton on Tuesday, June 2, this special Mercy Home event was filled with stories of success from our graduates, raised support for our young people’s education, and demonstrated the many ways our generous friends make a difference in the lives of youth.

This year’s event began with an introduction from eighth-grade graduate D’Arvae as our graduates processed through the ballroom and took to the stage to a standing ovation of around 650 guests and coworkers. Eighth-grade graduate Xailani then took to the stage to share how Mercy Home helped her graduate from St. Walter-St. Benedict School.

“So many people there believed in me, encouraged me, and mentored me,” she said. “They helped me grow so much these past two years. …Thanks to everyone in this room, I had the people and resources I needed to reach this milestone.”

Fr. Scott also explained the importance of the luncheon’s goal to raise crucial support for our young people’s education.

“We hear it over and again, but education is so terribly important,” he said. “It makes all the difference in the world and thanks to you, we have the necessary resources to give our young people the best education. It not only changes their lives forever, but it changes the trajectory of their families going forward.”

Following Fr. Scott’s remarks, our guests enjoyed lunch before viewing a video featuring an original poem and photographs by one of last year’s graduates, Rosario, who is currently studying at Dominican University. Then Director of External Affairs for AT&T Illinois Jeff Adducci addressed guests on behalf of presenting sponsor AT&T.

“Today is more than a milestone,” he told the graduates. “It is a powerful reminder of your courage, your resilience, and the strength it took to get here. You have overcome challenges, kept moving forward, and earned this moment—and we could not be prouder to celebrate it with you. Today is not only a celebration of what you have accomplished—it is also a reminder that your future matters. … We want to help support the dreams, goals, and opportunities ahead of you.”

Adducci then announced that AT&T would be providing each graduate their own laptop computer.

As our young people celebrated this generous gift, Materre returned to thank the companies who supported the event, including presenting sponsor AT&T, match sponsors Robert R. McCormick Foundation and Ullico, premier supporters Exelon and Michael J. Leon, and media supporters WBBM Newsradio 105.9 FM and WGN-TV 9, along with other companies who generously support our children’s education.

“I struggled at first,” she said. “But Mercy Home gave me tutors, support, and stayed connected with my school. The daily check-ins and weekly therapy sessions were helping me as well.”

But when Diamond began experiencing setbacks, she left Mercy Home and moved back in with her family. She struggled at home, and her mother encouraged her to consider returning. Diamond decided she was ready to fully commit to success at Mercy Home. They helped her get back on track and think about her future.

Diamond will attend Arrupe College this fall before transferring to Texas Southern University for a degree in criminal justice and pre-law.

“I want to help people get second chances, just like I had,” she said.

Diamond then gave the eighth-grade graduates in the room some advice.

“You never know what might change your life,” she said. “You never know what might be around the corner. Mercy Home taught me I can do hard things. Mercy Home showed me I already have the tools. I just need to use them. And now, because of everyone in this room, I am heading to college.”

Dempsey then introduced our next graduate speaker, Gaby, who was awarded the Mary Dempsey Scholarship in 2022. Gaby shared that her parents came to the U.S. from Mexico at an early age. They met while living in Chicago and started a family. When she was six, Gaby’s family returned to Mexico to care for her grandmother but were later unable to return. Where they lived was plagued by cartel violence and kidnapping.

“I knew the whole time I needed a safer life and a future in this country, the country where I was born,” Gaby said. “If I was going to come back, it would have to be alone.”

Gaby’s aunt told her about Mercy Home, where her own sons had gone to escape the dangers of their South Side neighborhood. Coworkers at Mercy Home helped Gaby enroll at DeLaSalle High School and process everything she had experienced as a child. She thrived under the structure of the Home and graduated from high school with a 3.8 GPA. She was accepted into a number of colleges and ultimately chose the University of Illinois Chicago.

As she thought back on her time at Mercy Home, she was inspired to choose a career path that reflected the help she received.

Mercy Home continued to support Gaby through college, helping her gain the skills she needed to become independent. She meets regularly with her care manager, Janet Meredith, to stay on track. She graduated this spring with honors and will begin her master’s this fall at the Jane Addams School of Social Work at UIC.

Materre then welcomed the Managing Director of Philanthropy at Mercy Home, Phil Zielinski, to talk about his experience as a Friends First mentor and introduce our final graduate speaker, Semaj.

“Mentorship becomes a gift you receive as much as you give,” Zielinski said. “It’s been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life to know the young man I’m about to introduce. I am incredibly proud of him, and I’m thankful to all of you for making relationships like this one possible.”

Semaj shared that he and his brother were raised by his grandmother growing up. She wanted them to get out and try new things and experience all the world had to offer. She took the two boys roller skating often and taught Semaj how to cook. But in 2017, she was diagnosed with cancer. Immediately, her concern was with Semaj and his brother. When chemotherapy made her too weak to take the boys out like she wanted to, she found our Friends First mentoring program.

When the pandemic began, Semaj began receiving virtual tutoring from Zielinski, who eventually became Semaj’s mentor.

“We quickly connected,” Semaj said. “We explored the city together—museums, shows, even my first roller coaster ride. … Those experiences showed me a world beyond my neighborhood and gave me the confidence to try new things.”

Semaj was getting good grades in school and enrolled at Carver Military Academy for high school. He was involved with many activities at school, as well as at Mercy Home. Zielinski helped him make connections, and Mercy Home made sure he knew what his options were for college. But as Semaj’s future got brighter, his grandmother’s health declined. Friends and family stepped up to support the family.

“I spent a lot of time with [my grandmother] during those days,” he said. “Phil was someone I could talk to and knowing that gave my grandmother peace of mind. That was important as she battled her illness. They say it takes a village. My grandmother said that Mercy Home was her village.”

In February of last year, Semaj’s grandmother passed away. Mercy Home was there for the family during that difficult time, and Semaj leaned on Phil for support.

Semaj’s cousin Tiara became Semaj’s legal guardian and encouraged Semaj to go to college. And ultimately, he was accepted to 15 different colleges. He graduated from high school with a 4.07 GPA and plans on studying computer science at University of Illinois Chicago this fall. He received a full scholarship that will allow him to live on campus.

“Mercy Home played a huge role in [my] success,” he said. “They gave me the confidence, support, and people who believed in me and motivated me when I needed it most. …One day, I hope to do the same by being a mentor to a young person. To put that same kindness out into the world and make my own mark.”

Semaj thanked several people for helping to broaden his horizons. “Everyone in this room is part of my village.”

The event concluded with a paddle raise in support of education at Mercy Home. Gifts were matched by the Robert R. McCormick Foundation and Ullico up to $50,000 each—a goal that our record-setting pledge easily exceeded.

We are incredibly grateful to our graduate speakers, sponsors, board members, coworkers, and all our guests who made this event such a spectacular success.

We especially want to thank the Leader Council for once again hosting the Graduates’ Luncheon. We are so grateful to Sue Golden and Bridget Gibbons for their leadership and to the Council members for their investment in our young people’s success.

Founded in 2002 by then Chicago Public Library Commissioner and now Mercy Home Board of Regents member Mary Dempsey, The Leader Council is a volunteer organization of prominent professional women in greater Chicago that supports the education of our young people at Mercy Home for Boys & Girls. The group draws members from among the top levels of Chicago’s business and civic institutions. Members donate their time, talent, financial support, and professional resources to open doors to academic and vocational opportunities for Mercy Home’s children.

Thanks to their efforts, Mercy Home’s young people go on to succeed in school, in higher education and in their careers. The Graduates’ Luncheon is the Leader Council’s signature annual fundraising event.