NEWSLETTER 2012-1 • 6300 N. RIDGE AVENUE • CHICAGO, IL 60660 • WWW.MISERICORDIA.ORG • 773-273-4160

MISERICORDIA JUNIOR BOARDThe Power to Change Lives

JB SPOTLIGHT: Delaney Sterling

Delaney Sterling (above, far right), a senior at St. Ignatius College Prep, is the 2012-2013 President of the Misericordia Junior Board. Delaney is an active member of the Misericordia community and has reached out to her high school community as well. The past two years, she has been involved with Candy Days at Wrigley Field, the first year participating with twelve volunteers, the next with over fifty Ignatius students. She has gotten her choir involved, bringing a group of students to a Misericordia art class to sing and dance, as well as to the bakery, singing Christmas carols while scooping out cookies. The theatre troupe at Ignatius has hosted a group of residents at its fall musical each of past two years.

In the future, Delaney hopes to get the Ignatius community even more involved in service opportunities at Misericordia. In

addition, Delaney is working with her Junior Board peers to found new clubs at local high schools called REACH (Realizing Everyone’s Abilities through Caring Hearts). The Junior Board’s goal is to start REACH clubs at high schools throughout the Chicagoland area to spread the word about Misericordia and increase students’ involvement. ♥

Over 50 Junior Board Members signed up to volunteer at the Misericordia Family Fest on September 9. Members helped in a variety of areas including assisting the Heartbreakers, as part of the entertainers dressed up as a character and soliciting new members for the Junior Board and new volunteers for the Misericordia Candy Days April 26 and 27. This year’s board members signed more than 400 new volunteers- 3 times the amount of volunteers in 2011. Thanks to all of our members for being wonderful ambassadors to the mission of Misericordia! ♥

SAVE THE DATE for Misericordia Candy Days, April 26 & 27 and the Special Wrigley Field Collection April 19-21. For more information contact jennyf@misericordia.com

REACH INTO THE HEART OF MERCYNov. 18, 6-9pm Christmas Dinners Vol.Opp.Dec. 14: Holiday Party for JB & ResidentsDec. 3 & 4, 6-9 Christmas Dinners Vol.Opp.Jan. 27, 10:30-12n: Mtg/Service Opp.April 19-21, (tentative) Wrigleyville Candy Days, Before & After GamesApril 26 & 27: MIS Candy Days all day Jul-Aug 2013: Camp Week - be a counselor!

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Misericordia Heart of Mercy

As a Junior Board member, I have been participating in volunteer opportunities like the SIBS Halloween Party. We had over 30 Junior Board volunteers from all different schools and all different areas of Chicago. It was an amazing experience to see teenagers ranging from 15 to 18 bond in helping Misericordia. We helped serve food to the residents and their families, cleaned up after the dinner, helped bring food to those who required a little bit of extra help, led games, the photo booth, face painting, etc. I loved the whole night especially dancing with the residents to classic Halloween songs. I met some of the nicest kids and made new friends with JB volunteers and residents. I am so blessed to be around people so accepting and generous! ♥

- Amy Androw Sophomore New Trier High School, 1st year member of Junior Board

WELCOME JUNIOR BOARD OFFICERSCongratulations to the newly appointed Officers of the Misericordia Executive Junior Board. Officers were selected as a result of exceptional communication and leadership skills and their continued commitment and compassion for the Residents of Misericordia. These leaders will be helping to organize upcoming special events including the Junior Board

Holiday Party and Misericordia Candy Days at Wrigley Field as well as composing the Junior Board Newsletter and reaching out to prospective Board members just to name a few. A special thanks to our Junior Board Advisors who have so generously donated their time to help this to be another successful year. ♥

Back Row left to right: Kathleen McGinty, Jr Bd Advisor, Alex Senak, Benet Academy, Georgia May, New Trier HS, Thomas Carden, Northridge Prep, Owen Knotts, Glenbard West HS, Nathan Gaertner, Glenbard West HS, Phil Rodrigues, Jr Bd Advisor, Nora Murphy, Whitney Young, Libby McGuire, Jr Bd Advisor, Anne Mills, Jr Bd Advisor, Molly Morris, McAuley HS, Front Row: Connor Tobin, Northridge Prep, Mary Kate Vanecko, Loyola Academy, Courtney Joseph, New Trier, Grace Foley, New Trier, Ben Connelly, New Trier HS, Delaney Sterling, St. Ignatius College Prep. Not pictured: Lily Hines, New Trier.

MISERICORIDA JUNIOR BOARD MEMBERS have a significant impact on the lives of the children and adults of Misericordia Home. While balancing com-mitments in school and sports, Junior Board members dedicate their time and talent to Misericordia. They act as ambassadors promoting and supporting the mission of Misericordia by raising awareness about the needs of indiv- iduals with developmental disabilities, volunteering, recruiting and fundraising. Leading by example, Junior Board members have successfully organized volunteers for some of Misericordia’s most important fundraising events, including most recently, Family Fest and the Harvest of Hope Walk. Volunteers are vital to the work done at Misericordia and we are grateful for the important role being done by the Junior Board.♥

HELPING HANDS AT THE SIBLINGS HALLOWEEN PARTY

THE MISSION OF MISERICORDIA/HEART OF MERCYis to support individuals with developmental disabilities in maximizing their level of independence and self-determination

within an environment that fosters spirituality, dignity, respect and enhancement of quality of life. We promote development of natural family and community support, community awareness, education and advocacy.

Amy poses with Mayor Terry M.