Our Community Care program celebrated the end of the school year with the Scholar’s Barbecue.

The annual tradition honors each of the Mercy Home scholars who completed a full year of school and recognizes those who have graduated or completed a milestone.

Scholars are former Mercy Home residents or Mercy Home Community Care members who have applied to receive educational support from us. Thanks to the support of our generous donors across the country, Mercy Home is able to supplement schooling costs, housing, fees, and other expenses needed for school. In addition, they receive a care manager who checks in with them weekly and are offered therapy and outside support if they need it.

This year, there were two graduate students who finished school, one getting a master’s degree in social work, and another one getting a Juris Doctorate. There were also two students earning their bachelor’s degree and two high school graduates.

This event allows ample time for our scholars to mingle and catch up with old friends.

“We do try to not make [the event] so incredibly structured because we want to give them a chance to talk to each other,” Marlin Exton, director of post-secondary options, resources and scholarships, said.

The barbecue has many purposes, Exton explained. It gives Mercy Home a chance to celebrate all the scholars’ hard work while also providing an opportunity for them to connect with each other.

“The scholars really do enjoy talking with each other,” Exton said. “When they’re at their different schools, it’s hard for them. Nobody is in their exact position. This is a time when they really enjoy getting together.”

The barbecue can also serve as a motivator because the scholars can look at the graduates and see them exceeding at high levels, which helps them realize they too can go far in their education.

The scholars played basketball, sat by the firepit, and connected with our coworkers throughout the evening. Daniel Nelson, Mercy Home’s vice president of Community Care, took his traditional spot at the grill and served up hot dogs, hamburgers, and vegetarian options to go along with a variety of sides and celebratory cupcakes. 

“My favorite part is just them being here [and] interacting with every one of them,” Exton said. “We really only get to do it [in person] two or three times a year. We see their success and know how difficult the journey was for them to get here. Now, they can relax and pat themselves on the back and I can pat them on the backs too. I’m always going to enjoy being with the scholars and being with the staff.”

Congratulations to our scholars and graduates for completing another successful school year.