“Graduates, know we all need someone in our life who says, “Come on, let’s go!” When you find those people, stay close. Listen. Trust them. I hope today is the day you hear these words and you know someone believes in you.”

—Sidney Lee, Mercy Home alumnus and keynote speaker

The 21st annual Graduates’ Luncheon, hosted by the Leader Council on Tuesday, June 6 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Chicago, was an afternoon of inspiration for guests and grads alike. This special Mercy Home event showcases the success journeys of some of our young people, raises support for education, and demonstrates the many ways our generous donors make a difference in the lives of our young people. But above all, it celebrates the achievements of young people at Mercy Home who graduated this spring from elementary school, high school, college and other academic programs. 

Like any good graduation ceremony, the event began when our graduates processed through the ballroom to a standing ovation of nearly 700 guests and coworkers. After an introduction by the day’s emcee, CBS2 Chicago anchor/reporter and Mercy Home Board of Regents member Jim Williams, Community Care member Noelle took to the stage to share a little bit about her future plans, which include attending American University on a full scholarship this fall. Noelle had the honor of welcoming Mercy Home’s President & CEO, Fr. Scott Donahue. 

In keeping with the stellar theme of the afternoon, Fr. Donahue reflected on the incredible insights into the origins of the universe and the new galaxies being discovered almost daily by the James Webb Telescope. He said the telescope is shedding new light on our universe and on humanity. 

“It’s going to change the way we think about ourselves, hopefully. But it certainly changes our understanding of who God is – the creator of all things,” Fr. Donahue said. 

He marveled at the vastness of creation revealed by these discoveries as it contrasted with the uniqueness and specialness of each individual person. 

“The scriptures tell us he counted every hair on your head. The scriptures tell us that God knitted you in your mother’s womb. The scriptures say that we are the very sons and daughters of the creator,” Fr. Scott said. “The God who created 190 billion galaxies created each and every one of us.”

Fr. Donahue closed his remarks before prayer with a final note of gratitude, saying that “the young people entrusted to our care at Mercy Home for Boys & Girls are the very children of God. And what you do though your generosity and your kindness and your belief in this mission of God’s mercy gives them every opportunity to share their vision and talents here now and in years to come.”

Emily Cole, the chair of the Leader Council, addressed our guests and recalled the first time she attended the Graduates’ Luncheon. While working as Assistant State’s Attorney in juvenile court, she saw how many children and families lacked the right support and resources. Then she was invited to the Graduates’ Luncheon.

Cole recognized the new chair of the Leader Council, Mary Lee Schneider, and the new vice chair, Bridget Gibbons, before thanking the entire Leader Council.

“I thank you for your tireless energy and dedication to Mercy Home with the goal of raising funds for education,” Cole said. “No matter what was happening in the world outside our doors, you have continued to come through for Mercy Home, raising critical support for education through this event.”

Cole also announced the winner of this year’s Mary Dempsey Scholarship, an award given to one of Mercy Home’s young people who exhibits leadership, academic achievement, and perseverance. This year’s recipient is Ash, who earned a 4.0 from one of Chicago’s top high schools, Whitney Young, and will be studying psychology at DePaul University in the fall.

Graduates, Alumni, and Beyond

Another graduate, Yazmin, shared more about how Mercy Home encouraged her to continue pursuing her education. After living in an emergency shelter as a teenager, Yazmin planned on dropping out of high school. But then she came to Mercy Home.

“When I got to Mercy, I found the stability, the support, and the encouragement I needed,” she said. “I finished high school and later earned as associate degree in radiology.”

Mercy Home encouraged Yazmin to go even further and gave her the support to succeed as she worked as an x-ray technician while she pursued her bachelor’s degree from Roosevelt University in health science administration.

“Today, I am motivated to go far in the medical field, and I am confident about my future,” Yazmin said.

“I enjoy working in the medical field because it allows me to help others, like Mercy Home helped me.”

Community Care scholar and graduate Alan, who also serves as head chef at Mercy Home, shared how Mercy Home helped him achieve his dreams.

“It’s funny that I work in Mercy Home’s kitchen today, because Mercy is the place that gave me my first kitchen job when I moved in at the age of 19,” he said. “It was the place that nurtured me and my passion for good food. It was the place that continued to call me home, even after I had earned my time in some of Chicago’s best kitchens.”

Alan explained that Mercy Home gave him opportunities to learn, not just in school but also gaining the professional experience he needed to flourish in a career. He received an associate degree from Washburne Culinary Institute and worked as a chef at a number of top restaurants before realizing he wanted to do more to help people.

“Someone once told me that chefs were the first social workers,” he said. “The way their craft provides connection between people, expression, and community; the way many chefs today address nutritional challenges in disadvantaged communities around the world—chefs do help make the world a better place.”

Alan decided to apply for a scholarship through Mercy Home to get a degree in social work. He needed to get another associate degree first, and between his heavy school and workload, he still found time to volunteer in Mercy Homes kitchen, teaching the kids about working in a kitchen themselves.

When he started working toward his bachelor’s degree in social work, he was offered the job as head chef at Mercy Home. Now he’s a graduate and will start his Master of Social Work program at UIC. He hopes to provide better mental health resources for black and brown youth.

“Ultimately, I will work toward a Ph.D. and research issues affecting these communities,” he said. “And my life goal is to start a nonprofit that uses culinary arts to help young people and provide them with critical resources as well as work experience and nutrition. None of this would be possible without hard work and a clear vision. With those ingredients, and with the support of Mercy Home, I have been able to succeed. Mercy Home laid the foundation of who I am.”

Sidney Lee: A Stellar Journey

The event’s keynote speaker was Mercy Home alumnus Sidney Lee. As the Director of Quality Operations Engineering for Virgin Galactic, Lee was on the team of engineers and technicians who successfully sent two passenger missions into space. He is also a mentor and role model for a new generation of aeronautic professionals, especially those of color, as well as supporting Mercy Home as a member of the Ambassadors of Mercy.

Lee grew up in the Englewood neighborhood of Chicago, a place troubled with violence and gang activity. He was constantly trying to avoid deadly confrontations. After seeing a friend shot right across the street, he considered dropping out of high school. Instead, he came to Mercy Home. Finally feeling safe, things began to change in a positive way.

“Thanks [to] my time at Mercy Home, I was able to evolve as a person,” he said. “And I was given the encouragement to follow my dreams. I had the chance to meet people from all around the city who had some of the same issues I was having, just trying to find a way out. Mercy gave me the information I needed to become the best version of myself. Most importantly, they gave me safety.”

Lee eventually received his GED, got a good union job through Mercy Home, married his high school sweetheart, and had a daughter. Life was good, but he knew he could do more. He went to school to receive a degree in mechanical engineering and got a job working at U.S. Steel. But he still dreamed of a career in aerospace. So, he moved his family to California. At every step of the way, Lee’s wife encouraged him to pursue his dreams.

Working at Virgin Galactic, Lee was able to help launch a successful crewed spaceflight in July 2021. When it returned to earth, he ran his fingers on the underside of the fuselage.

“I needed to feel the moment in my own hands,” he said. “To reach up and have tangible proof that my vision had come true. My vision became a reality.”

An Amazing Outpouring of Support

Following Sidney’s speech, WGN-TV 9 anchor Micah Materre conducted a paddle raise to support education. Gifts were matched by the Robert R. McCormick Foundation up to $50,000 – a goal that the pledge handily exceeded.

Eileen Mitchell, a member of the Board of Regents and President of AT&T Illinois, closed out the program by congratulating our graduates on behalf of the presenting sponsor.

“Today we celebrate the graduates, the work Mercy Home has done to help them, and the support you all have given to Mercy Home to help make it happen,” she said.

The event concluded with Williams announcing this year’s Bill Gainer Spirit of Service Award, which was founded by AT&T in honor of a beloved Mercy Home board member and AT&T employee. This award is given to a young person at Mercy Home who demonstrates a commitment to hard work and enhancing their community. This year’s recipient is Alexa.

We are truly grateful to our keynote speaker Sidney Lee, our board members, coworkers, and all our guests who helped make this event a tremendous success, including our generous sponsors: Presenting Sponsor AT&T, Match Sponsor Robert R. McCormick Foundation, Premier sponsors Exelon, Liuna! Charitable Foundation, Michael J. Leon, Media Sponsors WBBM Newsradio 105.9 FM and WGN-TV, and many other companies who generously support our children’s education.