January 7, 2022

When things got really bad at home, the only thing that could make Michael feel better was reading. When he was turning the pages of a novel, it was easy to pretend he was somewhere else. And lately, somewhere else is the only place Michael wanted to be. 

The trouble all started when Michael’s mother’s new boyfriend moved in. For a long time, it had just been the two of them. But now, it seemed like his mother’s attention was always on her boyfriend. She didn’t have time to take Michael to the movies or watch his soccer games like she used to. And her boyfriend had no interest in Michael. He would sometimes make mean comments, but more often just totally ignore him. 

And to make matters worse, his mother and her boyfriend fought all the time. It wasn’t unusual to hear screaming matches coming from their bedroom in the wee hours of the morning. That’s when Michael discovered how much he loved reading. When the fighting first began, he found that the novel he was reading for school was the only thing that distracted him. Soon, he began seeking out other things to read. 

Michael found out that the library was just a couple blocks from his apartment, close enough to walk. He began spending long periods of time there, reading and avoiding going home. The librarians began to recognize him, and often recommended new books to him. It began to feel more like home than his own home ever had. 

In the meantime, the fighting between his mother and her boyfriend was escalating. There never seemed to a be peaceful moment. Just the thought of going home filled him with anxiety. He couldn’t stand tension that constantly filled their home. 

One late night at the library, a librarian Michael particularly liked sat down and began to talk to him. He asked questions about Michael’s life. Michael found himself admitting how terrible things were at home and how he tried to avoid being as much as possible. The anxiety was making it hard for him to concentrate at school and he was having trouble sleeping. 

Fortunately, the librarian had heard about Mercy Home at his local parish. He mentioned it to Michael, saying that it might be something worth looking into if things got too difficult at home.

Michael searched Mercy Home on the internet that night. And the more he read about, the more he liked the idea of living there. It seemed like it would be a peaceful place for him to focus on his schoolwork and receive the support he wasn’t getting at home. He was surprised when his mother agreed that it would be a healthier place for him. 

After moving into our Home, Michael began to thrive. He no longer felt a constant knot of anxiety in his stomach. Instead, that feeling was replaced with hope that things were going to get better. He loved working with a tutor on subjects he previously struggled with, like science. And talking to his therapist and the other boys really helped him begin to heal from the many difficulties he experienced. But his favorite part? The library in the Learning Center, full of new books for him to read. 

Thank you for helping change the lives of countless kids like Michael. Your prayers and support mean the world to them.