CBA Record

YLS Special Issue l PROTECTING OUR CHILDREN

By Katy Sikich and Tricia A. Rooney

Mercy Home for Boys and Girls Helping Youth in Crisis Since 1887

M ercy Home for Boys & Girls has been a solution for youth in crisis since 1887 and currently serves more than 600 young people each year. Mercy Home operates at three loca- tions in Chicago: in Chicago’s West Loop, the campus serves primarily as a home for boys; a home for girls on the far South Side Beverly-Morgan Park community; and a

home on the South Shore for former youth residents in transition who benefit from supportive housing to prevent returning to or falling into homelessness. Through its residential, aftercare, and mentoring programs, Mercy Home offers a safe home, therapeutic healing, and educa- tion and career resources to help its young people make positive life decisions and

allow them to realize their full potential. The organization also assist many families with referrals to qualified social services throughout greater Chicago if they present needs that would be more appropriately addressed elsewhere. At the heart of Mercy Home’s services are residential treatment programs for youth ages 11 to 24. The children and

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