There are few things more important in a child’s life than a loving family. It is something so many of us take for granted, but during my time at Mercy Home, I have encountered far too many young people who are traveling through life without the anchor of a family or place to call home.

The loss of a family and loving home is, heartbreakingly, most evident during the Christmas season. I’m certain you can imagine the pain and loneliness that comes with feeling you have no place to go to celebrate the holidays. That was how Paige was feeling before her first Christmas at Mercy Home. But it hadn’t always been that way.

Paige’s mother died when she was very young. Her father was heartbroken, but diligently raised his daughter alone for many years. Eventually, he remarried, and Paige was enamored with her stepmother. She was thrilled to have a mother figure in her life again. They celebrated many happy holidays together as a family. But when Paige’s father and stepmother had a child together, everything changed. Her stepmother was no longer interested in being a mother to Paige—she was only interested in her own child. At first, Paige tried to regain the attention of
her stepmother, but nothing worked. And her father seemed both powerless and unwilling to change anything.

Still, Paige didn’t really notice how much things had changed until the first Christmas her family celebrated with her younger brother. She watched as he was given gift after gift, while she had only one present under the tree. And when her father, stepmother, and brother left to celebrate with her step-grandparents, Paige wasn’t invited.

She couldn’t understand what had changed, but it suddenly seemed like she was no longer part of the family. In the years that followed, Paige felt like she was pushed out of the picture more and more. Her dad and stepmom had another child, and that meant even less attention. She even had to give up her bedroom and move to the basement. She realized that she didn’t have a place in her own family anymore.

Paige was only 14 years old and felt like she had nowhere to truly call home. She decided to run away from home. She didn’t get far before a police officer stopped her. When she explained that she didn’t feel like she could live at home anymore, he had a suggestion. He told her about Mercy Home.

Paige decided that she would give our Home a try and moved in shortly after. At first, she was wary of my coworkers. It was difficult for her to trust them or believe that they cared about her. But eventually, she began to believe that she was part of a family—the Mercy Home family.

The biggest delight for Paige was her first Christmas at Mercy Home. She could hardly believe that she had presents under the tree to open or that she was invited to celebrate with the other girls and my coworkers. After the celebration, Paige said that that Christmas was the happiest she ever had—thanks to the kindness of friends like you who keep our mission in your prayers. Thank you for making sure that all of our children have a wonderful Christmas this and every year. Merry Christmas!

A special partnership for the sake of Mercy’s kids and for our televised Sunday Mass

You can make a difference in the life of a troubled child. Fr. Scott needs Partners to pray for our kids at Mercy Home–and also faithful Partners to help broadcast Sunday Mass at Mercy Home.

By pledging your support and your prayers, you’re offering a precious gift to Mercy’s kids–and helping our community of faith join together every week.

The boys and girls of Mercy Home are very proud of the difference they are able to make just by sharing their time and heart with others. None of this would be possible without our kind, faithful supporters, for not only sharing their friendship but for also setting an example of generosity and compassion for them to follow. During this month, please keep the young people of Mercy Home and all of our generous benefactors in your thoughts and prayers.