Our Community Care program recently hosted its first annual Mercy Fest, a summer celebration for the young people who live with us, for former residents involved in our Community Care program and their families, and for participants in our Friends First mentoring program.

Over 500 people came to our location in Chicago’s near West Side for an afternoon of delicious food, games, and community. Guests supped on summer staples like burgers and hot dogs, tacos, chips, watermelon, wraps, cotton candy, and snow cones. The burgers and hot dogs were generously donated by our friends at Butch McGuire’s and served by volunteers from the Chicago Bulls and Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

The youngest attendees enjoyed bounce houses, games and prizes, airbrush tattoos, balloon art, face painting, slime making, and more. The Chicago Fire Department also brought one of their fire trucks for everyone to explore.

Members of our Walsh Campus Youth Advisory Board also took on emcee duties and did a great job recognizing our volunteers and community partners while keeping the energy and excitement high throughout the party. 

“The fest definitely brought together all areas of Mercy and contributed to build a sense of community and a feeling of belonging,” Ashley Monroe-Turner, Community Care coordinator, said.

Community Care was also handed out donated items to help young people get ready for school in the fall. The young people received items like shoes, school supplies, board games, and more.

We were also thrilled to welcome our community partners from Rush University Medical Center, the Safer Foundation, and Chicago’s Department of Family and Support Services. Each was on hand to provide more information on the services they provide and how they can provide additional support to kids and families in our Community Care program. 

This day wouldn’t have been possible without the support of volunteers from the Chicago Bulls, Gallagher, HBK Engineering, AArete, and our Associate Board. Thanks to all of them for spending a Saturday making this event a success.

“It was awesome seeing all the different elements of Mercy Home come together for a day to celebrate community,” said Chris Doherty, special events manager at the Home.  “We are so grateful to our community partners and volunteers for showing up for the people we serve.”

Doherty expressed the sentiment of all who participated, saying “Mercy Fest really felt like a family reunion.” 

Monroe-Turner especially enjoyed the interactions between coworkers, current and former youth, families and community partners, and is already looking ahead to doing it all again. “It was a great event,” she said. “I can’t wait ‘til next year!”