Dear Families and Staff,
I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Mine was nice but different this year without my sister. Thanks to all who prepared the celebrations for our residents who did not go home. Thanks also to all of the volunteers who came to help with the brunch on Thanksgiving morning. A special thanks to all of the staff who gave up family time to be here with our residents.
Shopping and meals continue as part of our fundraising efforts for the holidays. Thanks to Judy and Nancy in the gift shops and to all volunteers who got everything ready and worked at every event. We welcomed our Women’s Auxiliary, the Women’s Board for lunch and the Illinois Catholic Women’s group – great shoppers one and all. Special thanks to the Kitchen and Bakery staffs, to Housekeeping, Maintenance and all who helped to make these events happen.
On Friday, November 10, our Women’s Auxiliary held its Home for the Holidays cocktail party. It was a beautiful event, raising much funds for Misericordia. Kudos to the Foundation staff, the Kitchen staff, IT and Housekeeping. You did a wonderful job. The event was also a reminder of how many young adults are on our waiting list. These families are so anxious for services for their loved one. We are doing all we can to be ready when there are beds available.
On Sunday morning, November 12, our CILAs put on their talent show. It was truly delightful. It is amazing how talented our residents are with the help and direction of the wonderful staff, Bravo!!!
Misericordia's Christmas Cards are on sale now! Shop at our Heartstrings Giftshop on Campus, 6300 N Ridge (Tue-Fri 11-3pm, Sun 9:30-2:30pm), our Sweetheart Shoppe in Glenview, 989 Waukegan Rd (Tue-Sat 9-4pm) or order them online!
Click here to purchase -> https://www.misericordia.com/store/christmas-holiday-cards/
On Monday, November 20th, Misericordia is bringing The Fat Shallot food truck (made-to-order sandwiches) to campus for an appreciation event for Misericordia Staff. Volunteers are needed to greet staff, check them in and keep the area clean.
The Food Truck will be on campus at the Holbrook Lot (between Holbrook and Quinlan). Two volunteers are needed for each shift: 9:30 – 11:45 am; 11:45 am – 2:00 pm; and 6:00 – 8:45 pm.
Please sign-up at this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4EACAE2DA7FBC52-45985871-thefat#/
Thank you,
Lisa Masucci & John Butler
MFA’s Volunteer Coordinators
Click here to make your donation
Do you remember: the first Special Olympics medal your loved one proudly showed you? Your daughter’s walk down the Red Carpet for Artist in All? A lovingly-made Mother’s Day card from your son? The look of love between your child and a special staff member?
Think about all of these beautiful moments in your loved one’s life at Misericordia and reflect upon the fact that none of this would be possible without the devotion of our wonderful staff. We are now facing what Father Jack calls a second pandemic, that of a severe staffing shortage. While Misericordia is doing everything possible to hire and retain quality employees, the shortage requires our already hard-working staff to sign up for extra shifts, assume additional responsibilities, and work even harder to provide the uplifting environment where our loved ones can continue to thrive.
Dear Families and Staff,
When last I wrote to you I was on my way to Springfield. Thanks again to our volunteer lobbyists, John Nicolay and Margaret Houlihan. They are wonderful. They hosted a dinner with Senator Bill Cunningham, and Representatives Mary Gill and Mike Kelly. Many others came by the table to say hello. Misericordia has a wonderful reputation with our elected officials. They all comment how lovely our staff is. Keep inviting them out.
The following morning, I went to a breakfast hosted by IARF (Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities). Michael Diaz has been our representative on their Board. Geana Connelly has been nominated to the next Board. So many Executive Directors thank Legislators for their support. It was great to meet with so many peers and hear the same challenges that we are all facing in terms of employment.
The cold weather is upon us and let us give thanks to God for having warm shelter to shield us! How blessed we are. For those not as fortunate as we are, Misericordia is organizing a Coat Drive to meet the desperate need for warm winter coats, sweaters and sweatshirts, gloves, hats and scarves for newly arrived immigrants to the City of Chicago. So many have never lived through winter, much less a Chicago winter. If you have any items you could donate, please know we would appreciate receiving them. There are people in desperate need whom we would like to help. This Coat Drive is also a project that Misericordia’s residents can help us with to sort, box and distribute the warm clothing to Chicago-area organizations assisting our newly arrived families. At the end of my letter are details about this important endeavor.
Dear Families and Staff,
People have been so responsive to the information I sent following our MFA meeting, that I thought I would continue the practice of regularly sharing information with you. This will help you all to know what I know from the past couple of weeks. I hope you find this helpful and enjoyable.
The MFA meeting and Program Tour was a great success. Again, thanks to all who participated. There is so much going on here for the residents, it’s wonderful.
As I mentioned at the meeting, we were able to purchase St, Henry Parish property after its closing. We continue to study uses, but did not want an adjoining property to go just anywhere. The Board of Directors were very supportive of us purchasing this property. The Rectory has several private suites with Bathrooms. These are not appropriate for resident use. We have reached out to the City and Catholic Charities to see if we could do a small amount of housing for immigrants currently living in very difficult situations. We are pursuing this as it is safely separate from our operation and the need is so great. We will be looking for clothing and food donations as time goes on. Residents will be assisting with this program.
On Sunday, October 15, 2023 the MFA held a General Membership Meeting which was followed by the Day Services Open Houses. The meeting was well attended and a great deal of important and exciting information was provided by Fr. Jack and others. See letter from Father Jack below. The Day Services Open Houses provided a wealth of important information. We are compiling a set of documents that will summarize the information provided at these open houses which will be shared in the near future.
Pam and Jim Capraro
MFA Chairs
Click the links below to access:
The meeting AGENDA
A VIDEO recording (44 min) of the meeting
The MISERICORDIA HOME EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS document distributed at the meeting
The busiest time of year is quickly approaching and Misericordia's Hearts & Flour Bakery needs your help!! We are looking for volunteers to sign-up for daytime and nighttime shifts to help us this season! Please use the links below to find a date and time that works for you, your family, your friends and your Company!!
Click here to sign up to volunteer in the bakery in December.
Click the links below to get info on how to help with Sunday Brunches, at our various on-campus fundraisers, decorating the campus with holiday decorations, helping at the Harlem Irving Plaza Giving Tree, bakery table sales, and in the gift shops.
Click here to sign up to volunteer at the Sunday Brunches, fundraisers, decorating and other fun activities.
Click here to sign up to volunteer at Holiday Event Bakery Table Sales.
Click here to sign up to volunteer in the Holiday Gift Shop, Christmas Cottage and table selling resident crafts.
Please note: If you prefer to view the volunteer opportunities as a calendar, just click the calendar icon at the upper right corner of the Sign Up list.
Paul Schwartz
Misericordia Volunteer Coordinator
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