February 18, 2020

Every child needs a safe place to call home. That’s why it is so tragic when the one place where a child should feel secure can be one of the most stressful. That’s what happened to Miguel.

Miguel had always been close to his family. Growing up, he thought everything was perfect. He had two parents who loved him and many aunts, uncles, and cousins who were always around to spend time with.

But as Miguel got older, he realized that his father had a drinking problem. There were many instances when his mother refused to give his father the keys to the car because he had too much to drink. But things got out of hand at a family dinner when Miguel’s father screamed at his mother and even pushed her down in the snow. It scared Miguel to see his father act this way.

“…Miguel fell into a deep depression. He no longer cared about school, and both his grades and attendance declined.”

When Miguel was 14 years old, his father was arrested for a DUI, and because it was not the first time, he was sent to prison. Miguel’s mother did her best to make up for the loss of income, but she just couldn’t manage. Eventually, Miguel and his mother moved to a new neighborhood, far from the home he had grown up in, and far from the rest of his family.

Overwhelmed by his situation, Miguel fell into a deep depression. He no longer cared about school, and both his grades and attendance declined. And since his mother was forced to work two jobs, Miguel spent much of his time by himself at home.

As Miguel’s school counselors learned more about his home life, they felt that he could benefit from a change. In exploring different options, they felt that Mercy Home offered both the therapeutic and academic support that he needed.

Miguel and his mother were wary of this idea at first – they did not want to be separated. But when they had a chance to visit our Home, they realized that it was much different than what they had imagined. And when they realized that they would still see each other on the weekends, their worries were put to rest.

“When Miguel moved in…he no longer felt alone and isolated.”

When Miguel moved in, he was happy to have the comradery of the other boys in his program. It was like being back in his old neighborhood with all of his cousins, he told me. He no longer felt alone and isolated. And with help from our staff and tutors, he was able to catch up academically.

But opening up in therapy wasn’t so easy for Miguel. He was angry with his father but didn’t want to talk about it. After several months, he decided to write a letter to his father expressing his feelings. Writing that letter was like taking a giant weight off his shoulders, he said.

Today, Miguel is in a much better place—academically and emotionally. He feels confident that he has a bright future ahead of him, and so do all of us at Mercy Home!

Thank you for your loving support of kids like Miguel—you change lives 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.