The Herald - Fall 2022

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Julianna speaking at
Mercy Home’s 2022
Graduates’ Luncheon.
Though she has just recently graduated from
high school, Julianna knows where her future is
headed—toward a career in psychiatry, helping
kids in need. Exceptionally focused, driven, and
motivated, this Mercy Home alumna took some
time to reflect on the bright path that lies ahead
of her, thanks to good and loving friends like you.
Life before Mercy Home
“My aunt and uncle raised me from the age of 2.
We didn’t get along very well. I’m quite different
from them, so we were constantly butting heads. It got to the point
that it made it very uncomfortable for me to be in their home. They
had expectations for me that were so far away from my goals for
myself. I needed some support elsewhere and so I looked at Mercy
Home. My brother actually lived there for a year before I did, and I
saw that he was really flourishing.”
The power of your friendship
“I was at Mercy Home for two years. At first, it was a little bit
scary, but then I loved it. There was constant support and always
opportunities to get what I needed. There were people who really
had my best interests at heart…
Mercy Home gave me a sense of motivation, the kind you get
when there are people rooting for you. It was so inspiring. That
was a feeling that never left me. My time at Mercy was amazing
and there were so many opportunities, clubs, and chances to meet
other people. It was a whole other world I had never experienced,
and it was so nice to be a part of something like that. Now, I am still
involved with Mercy Home through the Community Care program.
I have a care manager that keeps me in the loop and is always there
for support, resources, or anything else I need.”
Pursuing her dreams
“I’m headed to college to get my associate’s degree in behavioral
science. Then, I’ll move on to get a Bachelor’s in psychology, and
then my Masters. The career I want to go into first would be to help
out parole officers for juveniles. I would evaluate the subject, see if
they could stand trial, see if they need any therapy, etc. That’s the
first job I want to start with and then, move more toward psychiatry
for young people.
I always liked helping people… Then I went to Mercy Home and
saw how the staff there helped me and I thought, ‘I want to do
something like this for other people.’”
Julianna’s story is yet another example of the miracles
you work in our young people’s lives. From our entire
Mercy Home family, thank you for the love, support,
and friendship you share.
Phillip Zielinski
Director of Philanthropy
Beth Lye
Associate Director,
Philanthropy
Louise Borosak
Philanthropic Advisor
Adrienne Walsh
Philanthropic Advisor
Mercy Home’s Philanthropy
team can help you to change a
child’s life while continuing to
care for the needs of yourself
and your family. Their areas of
expertise include:
• Working with families to
identify and achieve financial
and giving goals.
• Taking a personal and holistic
approach, understanding
that your plan is uniquely
yours.
• Reducing your tax burden
through charitable giving.
• Maximizing your impact on
the people and charities
closest to your heart.
While we are commonly known
as Mercy Home for Boys & Girls,
our legal name is Mission of
Our Lady of Mercy, Inc. and our
Tax ID Number is 36-2171726.
Do not hesitate to contact us at 1-800-378-8266
or plannedgift@mercyhome.org with specific
questions, or simply to start a conversation.
For more information visit us at
MercyHome.org/PlannedGiving
1140 W. Jackson Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60607
1.800.378.8266
This publication is prepared exclusively for the information of our
friends and donors. Its purpose is to point out current tax
developments which may be helpful in your tax and financial
planning. This material is based on recent court decisions and
current laws and regulations. You should, of course, consult your
own legal, tax or financial planner as to the applicability of any
item to your own situation.
Every year, as another waning summer gives way to the richness of fall, I find myself
reflecting on the idea of abundance. In so many ways, this is a season of plenty and
the bounty we enjoy is one that not only nourishes our bodies, but also feeds and
nurtures our souls. This is a time to count our blessings and delight in the comfort and
peace we find in community, family, and prayer.
Of course, each time my mind turns to the blessings in my life, I naturally think of kind and generous friends
like you. Since Mercy Home’s humble beginnings 135 years ago, the support of friends like you has been the
very foundation of our care. Over generations, good people like you have carried our Home through both
troubled and triumphant times.
Certainly, this moment for Mercy Home will be one our family remembers forever. In this edition of The
Herald, we highlight this remarkable moment in our history—one in which more than 100 generous
supporters have joined together in our LEGACY CHALLENGE to brighten the futures of kids in
our care—today and for years to come. To illustrate just how powerful support like this can be, we introduce
you to Julianna, a former resident of Mercy Home who can finally pursue her dreams, thanks to good people
like you.
As you’ll read in this issue, friends like you have blessed our Mercy Home family beyond measure. Thank you
and God bless you for all you do to bring an abundance of love and hope to kids in need.
Blessings,
Fr. Scott Donahue
LEGACY CHALLENGE
Uniting the Country for Kids in Need!................................2
Community Care....................................................................4
FALL 2022

Offer Ends December 31st… JOIN THE LEGACY CHALLENGE TODAY!
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LEGACY CHALLENGE
Uniting the Country for Kids in Need!
We’ve heard from friends all across the country who
have joined the 2022 Legacy Challenge by naming
Mercy Home in their final estate plans! See the map
for those states (in purple) with at least one
Legacy Champion who has joined the campaign
since January. If you’re one of those who have
recently joined, then we’d like to pause and thank you
for your dedication to kids in need—we couldn’t do
any of this work without you!
If you haven’t heard, the Legacy Challenge is an
opportunity for you to increase your impact on young
lives, now and in the future—all without spending a
dollar in your lifetime. To join, name Mercy Home as a
beneficiary of your will, trust, or other financial account.
Then, when you let us know about your commitment,
10% of your legacy gift intention will automatically be
matched with a donation to the kids living at Mercy
Home today.
PLEASE HURRY: matching funds for the
Legacy Challenge will only be available
until December 31!
By joining the Legacy Challenge, you can ensure a
safe and loving home for kids in need right now, as well
as those who will need Mercy Home in the future—
all with a simple piece of paper.
“We love the life-changing
ministry that happens
at Mercy Home.”
— Pamela and Doug, Indiana
“There is nothing more gratifying
than to be part of giving a child the
opportunity to reach the ultimate
of their potential.”
— Mike and Ann, Michigan
“Mercy Home provides
a great life for these
children. They have
unlimited potential—the
future is up to them!”
— Bob and I-Ming,
Maryland
“We joined the Legacy Challenge
because Mercy Home supports
children who have encountered a
difficult time in their lives.”
— Lilly and Dat, California
“Mercy Home is a life-saving
Oasis in the world’s desert
wilderness. My Legacy gift
is a cup of water, so the
Oasis never runs dry.”
— Kathleen, Texas
“God loves a cheerful
giver, and it makes
me happy to be able to
play a very small part.
It makes me feel good.”
— Tom, Illinois
“It is truly important to provide
every opportunity for the boys
and girls to succeed in life.”
— Eileen, Georgia