May 27, 2020

The uncertainty that surrounds us these days can make anyone hesitate to make long-term plans. But for kids like Aubrey, the fear of committing to anything was rooted in her experience in foster care. 

When Aubrey first moved into Mercy Home, she refused to unpack her suitcase. Instead, she kept her clothes neatly folded in her duffel bag, stored securely under her bed. She wouldn’t decorate her bedroom or engage with any of the other girls. And she would go completely silent if anyone tried to get her to open up at all.

You see, Aubrey was terrified that the second she became comfortable at Mercy Home, she would be shipped off to the next place. She thought that if she never got attached to anything at our Home, it would be easier when she was forced to leave.

This was something Aubrey learned as a child, when she spent her life in an endless string of foster homes. Her mother passed away in childbirth, leaving her with an alcoholic father who also struggled with substance abuse.

“She thought that if she never got attached to anything at our Home, it would be easier when she was forced to leave.”

In her early years, Aubrey lived in a house that was in disrepair and often had no heat because her father couldn’t keep a job or pay the bills. More than once, she would find him passed out on their couch. He passed away from a drug overdose when Aubrey was only 7 years old.

From there, she was passed from home to home, never being allowed to stay long. In these homes, she faced a variety of challenges. In one home, her foster parents totally ignored her. Sometimes they would forget to serve her meals, and they never helped her with homework or asked about her problems. That was still better than her next foster home, where her foster father often physically abused her.

Eventually, Aubrey ended up in a foster family that seemed to be a perfect fit. Both her foster parents were kind and loving, and she shared the home with other kids who eventually seemed like her brothers and sisters.

Unfortunately, her foster father lost his job and the family was no longer able to financially support another child. She was forced, again, to find another home.

“But even though she ended up in a safe and loving place, she found it difficult to trust that it would be any different from any other place she lived.”

This pattern continued until Aubrey ended up at Mercy Home. But even though she ended up in a safe and loving place, she found it difficult to trust that it would be any different from any other place she lived. She was untrusting and worried that one wrong step would send her onto the next place.

But instead, what Aubrey found at Mercy Home was life changing. It took a while, but she eventually realized that our Home was not just another stop on the way, but a destination where she will receive all the support she needs to make her dreams come true.

Thank you for changing the stories of countless kids just like Aubrey. Your prayers and support make miracles happen here every day.

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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.