At first glance, Calvin seems like a boy without a care in the world. He effortlessly hits home runs when playing baseball and brings home good grades. He’s a young man who smiles often, so most would never guess the pain he has experienced.

Unlike some of our children, Calvin had an extremely happy childhood. He grew up in a loving and stable home with two parents who cared for him well. He was always athletic and did well in school. There was very little reason for Calvin to be unhappy.

But that all changed shortly after Calvin began sixth grade. It started out like any other day—Calvin went to school while his parents went to work. But when he was called to the principal’s office, he found out that both of his parents were killed in a car crash after being hit by a drunk driver as they headed toward school to pick him up.

In that instant, Calvin’s entire world collapsed. Suddenly orphaned, he was sent to live with an aunt and uncle in another town. He didn’t know them well, but they always seemed nice enough. That turned out to be not quite true. His aunt and uncle had many problems of their own and were unprepared to have a child living in their home. They didn’t seem to care about how much Calvin was hurting. Instead, they often left him home alone, without dinner, and sometimes even blamed him for the loss of his parents. This kind of neglect left deep emotional wounds.

Calvin, once a bright and outgoing young man, fell into a deep depression. He shut himself off to everyone around him. His grades fell, and he began fighting at school. Nothing seemed to matter much to him. A teacher noticed the drastic change and directed him to the school social worker. That social worker recommended Mercy Home.

Once Calvin moved into Mercy Home, he finally felt the kind of safety he had once known while living with his parents. With the burden of living with his abusive aunt and uncle lifted, Calvin’s spirits quickly lifted. He found comfort in confiding in my coworkers and the other boys he lived with.

With fresh confidence, Calvin began to put the pieces of his life back together. With help from his tutor, he was able to raise his grades to what they were before his parents’ accident. The encouragement and guidance Calvin received at Mercy Home inspired him to become a social worker someday so that he can help kids in situations like his.

Calvin found what he was looking for at Mercy Home: a family who cherishes him. After losing everything, what a joy it is to say that Calvin now has a bright future ahead of him, thanks to Partners in Prayer like you. Your support truly makes a difference in the lives of kids just like Calvin. I hope you continue to keep our boys and girls in our prayers, and rest assured that you are in ours.

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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.