How Levi Found Hope

January 13, 2026

Levi was two years old when his mom died. It was only months between her finding out she was sick and when she ultimately succumbed to cancer. Levi didn’t remember her, but he knew the pain of being without a mother all too well.

After his mother died, Levi was sent to live with his dad, who was previously not very involved in his life. His dad struggled with addiction and could not take care of Levi. Eventually, Levi ended up with his grandmother. Levi’s life became much more stable after he moved in with his grandmother. Though they never had much money, he grew up knowing that he had a safe place to call home and was cared for by someone who loved him.

But when Levi turned 14, his grandmother passed away suddenly from a heart attack. Grief stricken and alone, Levi’s entire future felt like it was up in the air. Levi ended up in the care of an aunt who he never met before. She was uninterested in caring for a teenager, and, aside from providing him a room and food to eat, almost completely ignored him.

Levi was overwhelmed with all the life changes and all the emotions he was feeling. He grieved the loss of his grandmother and wondered why there was nobody out there who wanted him.

Levi began acting up in school. His grades fell and he was sent to detention nearly every week. His guidance counselor warned him that he was hurting his chances of going to college, but Levi couldn’t even think that far in the future. He only wanted to stop hurting.

But there was one thing that Levi loved, and that was basketball. His grades weren’t good enough to be on the high school basketball team, but the coach would sometimes let him practice with the team. Soon, the coach felt like the only person Levi could trust. He ended up opening up to him about some of the struggles he was having at home.

Levi’s coach knew about Mercy Home from his parish, and he thought that it could be a good place for Levi. He encouraged Levi to bring it up to his aunt. Levi did just that, and his aunt agreed to look more into our Home. After attending an informational session, they both knew it was the best place for Levi.

That’s not to say that the transition was easy. Levi struggled to trust our coworkers at first. It was hard to believe that any adult cared about him. But he adjusted, slowly but surely. That’s not to say that the transition was easy. Levi struggled to trust our coworkers at first. It was hard to believe that any adult cared about him. But he adjusted, slowly but surely.

The biggest benefit to Levi was the time he spent meeting with his therapist. She helped him start to process his grief over losing his mother and grandmother and come up with healthier ways to express and cope with his emotions.

Levi also worked with a tutor four nights a week. His tutor helped him learn better ways to study and to raise his grades. Eventually, Levi raised his GPA enough that he could join his high school basketball team, which he really enjoys.

Levi’s aunt also agreed to attend family therapy with Levi. They are slowly building a better relationship, and she is trying to support Levi more than she did before.

With the support he so desperately needed, Levi was able to stop simply surviving and start thriving. He is now getting good grades, has friends at school, and is exploring his options after he graduates high school.

This is only possible because of the prayer support of Partners in Prayer like you! Thank you for your kindness toward our children.

Please note: Because we care deeply about protecting our children’s privacy, the names and certain identifying details in this story have been changed.