July 31, 2025
Mercy Home is located in a city filled with world-class entertainment, popular attractions, fascinating history, and endless experiences. But many of the young people who live with us at Mercy Home rarely enjoyed opportunities to explore much beyond their own neighborhoods. So we like to connect them with the amenities that abound right here in their own city. And there is no more fun-filled time in Chicago than summer.
Recently, our young people went on an exciting urban adventure. First they took an architectural boat tour to learn about Chicago’s innovative buildings. Then, they hopped on the Flyover Chicago, a simulated ride at Navy Pier, maneuvering like birds above the city’s skyscraper canyons. After landing, they ended their day with a scavenger hunt, learning about the important people, places, and events that have shaped our city.
“We wanted to expose them to the city and let them see a different side of it,” said Maya Moore, a coordinator of tutoring & after school programs at Mercy Home. “They got to learn about major landmarks that they would not have gotten to learn about otherwise.”
For many of our young people, not only was walking downtown a new experience, but they also had the opportunity to get to know their peers better. To make sure the girls were both safe and fostering connections with one another, they were each paired with a buddy. They had to learn one fun fact about their buddy on the trip.
“It’s a moment for them to build bonds with each other,” Moore said. “It facilitated those relationships that wouldn’t have happened within their program.”
Melody, a Mercy Home resident, gained a new perspective about Chicago.
“I liked the Flyover Chicago because it gave me a nice view of what the city actually looks like, “she said. “[And] the scavenger hunt helped me learn more about the city.”
On the last stop of their scavenger hunt, the group found the Crown Fountain in Millennium Park. There, they splashed in the water to cool off from the summer heat.
It was not only refreshing for Melody, but also a therapeutic way to relieve some stress.
“It made me feel great [getting in the water],” Melody said. “It let all my emotions out that where in my head.”
Moore and Lupe Carey from our educational resources team wanted our youth to feel free from the stress and worries that consume them daily.
“[Our kids] have such heavy things going on in life,” Carey said. “[This trip] gave them a sense of what the community looks like in Chicago. Every kid deserves to be free and not worry.”
Moore added, “It showed them that there’s a lot beyond their environment. They were able to [step outside their comfort zone] and see that there is more to life than what they were born into. [This trip] gave them the freedom to come out of their shell and [unleash] their inner child.”
We’re happy for opportunities like this one for our young people to get out and enjoy a summer day in our exceptional city. And we are grateful for those who support the Home and make it possible for us to give kids learning and growing experiences like these, even during the height of summer break.
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