Like a Family Reunion

August 21, 2026

Annual Mercy Fest Celebrates Connection

Mercy Fest returned for its fourth year this summer. Hosted by our Community Care program, the event brings together current and former residents, as well as families and Friends First mentors and mentees for an afternoon of summer fun, food, games, and more. About 500 attended.

“Mercy Fest’s objective is to bring the whole Mercy community together for fellowship, awareness of resources in the community, and to encourage people to stay connected to the Home,” Vice President of Community Care Daniel Nelson said.

Guests had a choice of many tasty options for lunch, including hot dogs, chicken wings, and burgers straight off the grill, tacos from Jarabe, plant-based options from Plant Based City, chips, popcorn, cotton candy, and snow cones.

Our friends at Butch McGuire’s generously donated the hot dogs, hamburgers, and chicken wings and Coca-Cola donated pop, juice, and water.

The youngest attendees enjoyed three bounce houses, games, airbrush tattoos, face painting, balloon art, arts and crafts, basketball, and more.

A highlight of the day was when our friends at the Chicago Fire Department brought a fire truck to the Home for everyone to tour.

Our friends at Mane in Heaven also brought two of their mini horses for guests young and old to meet, pet, and take for walks. Nelson enlisted some of our younger attendees to help announce raffle prize winners, which included gift cards and a grand prize of a flat screen TV.

Community Care also set up tables filled with donated items so that our members and their families will have everything they need as they prepare for back-to-school season. Items included backpacks and other school supplies donated by our friends at Fill a Heart 4 Kids, AT&T, Coca-Cola and CC’s Wish List of the Lavin Family Foundation and hygiene kids donated by friends at Target. 

Tables for a number of community partners also filled the soccer building and provided attendees with more information on the services they provide, how they can support our members, and even handed out some swag.

Events like Mercy Fest showcase how important it is for our Community Care members to have a place where they are known and feel like they belong. 

“Mercy Fest felt like a true family reunion,” said Community Care Coordinator Ashley Corbett. “Between the bounce houses, face painting, food trucks, and the guys grilling, there was a sense of joy and togetherness throughout the day. It was especially meaningful to see current and former youth reconnect with staff and community partners who have been part of their journey.”

This event is always a team effort and would not have been possible without the hard work of our coworkers, volunteers, and supporters.

“With smiles everywhere, the event highlighted the strength of our community and the lasting relationships that continue to support and uplift our youth,” Corbett said.

We would like to give a big thank you to volunteers from White Sox Volunteer Corps, Mercy Home’s Associate Board, Living Word Christian Center, Aarete, Target, and UPS.

Another big thank you to our friends at Philos Foundation and Mariano’s for their financial support of this event—it wouldn’t have been possible without you!