March 17, 2021

Ashley’s father abandoned her family when she was just a little girl. It’s hard for her to remember anything about him now. Her mother wasn’t particularly reliable, either. She spent a lot of time living with her grandmother. It was the only stable home she really knew.

So when Ashley’s grandmother suddenly passed away, she felt totally lost. The only true parent she had ever really known was gone. Her devastation only grew when she had to return to her mother’s apartment. In an instant, the only home she ever felt safe in was gone.

“So when Ashley’s grandmother suddenly passed away, she felt totally lost.”

Ashley’s mother moved around a lot. She often couldn’t afford to keep up with rent, so it wasn’t uncommon for Ashley to come home to find out she and her mother were evicted from another apartment. Sometimes there wasn’t enough money for food. There definitely wasn’t money for new clothes. Ashley was often teased at school for her too small or dirty clothing.

By the time Ashley started high school, she felt hopelessly behind in school. The constant upheaval made it difficult for her to keep up with her studies. And because she was always teased so relentlessly, she often didn’t bother to go at all. Her mother certainly didn’t care what she did.

Everything changed, however, when Ashley’s aunt came to visit Ashley and her mother. It had been years since she had been to town, and she was shocked about the way Ashley was being forced to live. After trying to reason with Ashley’s mother to make some changes, she realized that she needed to find a more stable home for Ashley.

“It took some time for Ashley to adjust to living at Mercy Home…..but it didn’t take long for her to begin to thrive.”

After doing some research, Ashley’s aunt found Mercy Home. She and Ashley agreed that it was the best place for her, and Ashley moved in shortly after. It took some time for Ashley to adjust to living at Mercy Home—she wasn’t used to living somewhere she was expected to do chores and homework. But it didn’t take long for her to begin to thrive.

During her time at Mercy Home, Ashley worked hard to catch up on her schoolwork. Recently, she achieved an incredible milestone: all As on her report card! Just a year ago, things seemed hopeless for Ashley. Now she has plans of going to college, and we know she will be successful.

Thank you for supporting children like Ashley through your prayers and generous gifts. You help us change lives every day.

---

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.