July 24, 2024

We’re accustomed to think summer as a time to relax and enjoy quiet, carefree days. The kids are out of school. Families pile into their minivans for their annual vacations. The beach beckons us to lie in the sand while our thoughts and our worries drift away with the sound of the surf. In fact, for many of us, doing nothing is at the top of our summer ‘to-do’ lists.

Just recently, for example:

• The Chicago White Sox—wonderful supporters of our work for more than a century!—brought first baseman Andrew Vaughn and his wife Lexi to our Home to spend some time, play some catch, sign some autographs, and even scoop some ice cream, thanks to the Rainbow Cone ice cream truck that accompanied them on their visit.

• Our good friends at Walsh Construction visited the Home to instruct our young people on the safe use of power tools in preparation for Habitat for Humanity trips to North Carolina and Mississippi this summer.

• Our generous board members met with our young people and helped them learn and practice essential networking skills that will serve them well in their careers.

• Our outstanding Education and Career Resources team has encouraged our young people to focus on the future by visiting a variety of workplaces around the Chicago area and leading skills development work back at the Home.

• And they have provided our younger youth enriching experiences like rock climbing, archery, nature walks, and team building.  

• Our undaunted youth care workers braved a summer rain to hold a special barbeque in honor of one young person’s move into an older youth program.

• Our young athletes are participating in a weekly soccer club where they get great exercise, build teamwork skills, and engage in healthy competition. 

• Our generous donors have ensured that our boys and girls have been able to enjoy the wonder of God’s creation at summer camp, having so many unforgettable experiences like canoeing, archery, and sitting around a campfire under the stars.

In addition to these organized activities, there have been so many spontaneous moments of pure summer joy and activity that help our young people grow and strengthen relationships. And there’s still so much more to come in the days and weeks left before school begins again. 

As I watch our young people so actively engaged like this, I think “how good is the good God.” Truly, Mercy Home is blessed to be able to offer our young people so many opportunities to make the most of the season and help them build lifetimes of success and satisfaction. Summer days are truly to be enjoyed. But at Mercy Home, they are anything but idle time.