When Caleb turned 15, he was faced with a choice: whether or not to join a gang.

You see, he grew up in a dangerous neighborhood where the streets were controlled by gangs. Violence seemed to just be part of life there. Gunshots no longer woke Caleb up when they rang out in the middle of the night—he was that used to it.

Caleb had no interest in joining a gang—instead, he loved music and spent hours trying to teach himself how to play piano, using a secondhand keyboard his grandma found for him at the local thrift store. The music teacher at his school recognized his budding talent and offered to give him lessons for free after school. Caleb was thrilled! But, at the same time, just getting to school was becoming a problem.

The streets Caleb needed to walk to get to his high school were not safe ones, even in the daytime. He often worried for his safety, and wondered if it would be safe for him to continue going to school. A good student, he didn’t like the idea of skipping. But after witnessing several people get shot right in front of him, the fear grew.

A neighbor that was around Caleb’s age noticed his discomfort with traveling the streets around his home. He explained that he was a member of a gang, and that they could offer protection for traveling the streets if he joined them. It would be a place where Caleb would be part of a family and belong. With a mother who worked several jobs and was mostly absent, this was a tempting offer to Caleb.

Caleb stayed up late considering his options. He never thought he would join a gang, but he was tired of being stressed about his safety just because he wanted to go to school. He knew deep down that joining a gang wasn’t the right decision, but it was hard for him to see any other way.

He decided to turn to his music teacher, who had always supported him. He explained his current dilemma, and how he was afraid that joining the gang would be his only way to live safely in his neighborhood. But his teacher had another idea—Mercy Home.

Caleb’s teacher explained that Mercy Home would give him a safe place to live where he could focus on his education. They could help him get safely to school, and also had resources to help him study. This was the kind of dream scenario Caleb had not even dared to imagine. He wanted to move in right away.

Since coming to Mercy Home, Caleb has been thriving. Mercy Home found him a school in a safer neighborhood that has even more music classes for him to take. He loves spending time in our music room practicing piano! With the stress of his living situation gone, Caleb’s grades have improved and he no longer has to worry that he’ll be safe. He has also found the family he was longing for: the Mercy Home family!

Thank you for giving kids just like Caleb a safe place to call home and a family! It is truly life-changing.

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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.