Since 2005, Mark Schmeltzer has developed and managed messaging and outreach activities to engage the public in Mercy Home’s unique story. He works with a team of writers who advocate for Mercy Home’s young people and share their inspiring accomplishments through a variety of media and events.

Born and raised on Chicago’s South Side, and a long-time resident of its North Side, Schmeltzer is passionate about issues impacting the area’s future, including the ways we should provide opportunities for young people in all communities. His interest in encouraging social change has kept him working in the non-profit sector throughout his career.

As a child who read the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times early each morning before delivering papers to the households on his neighborhood route, he also developed a passion for news and journalism from an early age. His approach to media relations is based on an understanding of the challenges that busy news professionals face every day and can be summed up in one simple rule: Make it as easy as possible for reporters to give their audiences what they want. He hopes that Mercy Home’s enhanced newsroom will be a support for working journalists.

Schmeltzer studied history at Eastern Illinois University, and comedy sketch writing and improvisation at Second City, iO Chicago, and The Annoyance Theater. He lives with his wife and two sons in Chicago’s Southwest Suburbs.