by Katie Jennings
The Misericordia Young Professionals Council (MYPC) supports the Misericordia community and its fundraising efforts while meeting new people and having fun! The MYPC consists of young professionals in their 20s and 30s and is based in Chicago.
MYPC members are involved in on-campus volunteer opportunities with Misericordia residents, such as the CILA BBQ, Shannon Apartments Pumpkin Painting, and creating centerpieces for the Irish Fellowship Luncheon in the Bakery. The MYPC also plans and hosts multiple fundraising social events, e.g. Summer Party, Holiday Party, and the Red Heart Bash, to raise money for Misericordia.
The MYPC's biggest fundraiser of the year is the Red Heart Bash. This year, the Red Heart Bash will take place on Friday, April 12 at Walden Chicago, starting at 7 PM. The Red Heart Bash is a cocktail style event with an open bar, food, a live band, and more! All are welcome and we encourage you to attend and bring your friends!
If you are interested in joining the MYPC, please fill out your information here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScPLryLn0Bc8CJJ7VAVuOgx5wKX27kSFIuGA_VIJ0RPihvIfw/viewform
If you are interested in purchasing a ticket to the 2024 Red Heart Bash, you may buy your ticket here: https://e.givesmart.com/events/ANj/
Dear Staff and Families,
I’m sorry it has been so long since I have written. I broke two ribs right after Christmas and ended up in the hospital. Then, I returned home for a long recuperation. I am fully back now and going to the gym several days a week. Thank God for health.
We have been glad to welcome Kevin Knoll to our staff as our General Counsel. He will be coordinating all of Misericordia’s legal issues, such as contracts and the like. Our hope is that he will form a committee of attorneys that is connected with us to help him in directing our needs. We have already met with the Cardinal’s staff of Legal Services and have begun a good relationship with them.
WE SENT A SURVEY. YOU RESPONDED. WE HEARD YOU LOUD AND CLEAR! YOU WANT TO GET TOGETHER… LIVE… IN PERSON! THIS IS YOUR CHANCE. THIS IS YOUR MEETING! YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS THIS!
WHEN? Sunday, April 14th
WHERE? Misericordia’s Jean Marie Ryan Center
WHAT’S HAPPENING?
Dear MFA members,
A number of our MFA Board position terms will end on 7/31/24. If you would like to nominate another MFA member or yourself for one of these positions, Click here to complete the form, and submit it by midnight 3/22. You may nominate as many people as you like, but you will need to submit a separate form for each nomination.
Your nominees will be taken into consideration by the Nominations Committee, and a slate will be prepared. This slate will be voted on by the entire membership at the April 14th General Membership Meeting.
During March, the following departments are being recognized and there will be an appreciation luncheon on Tuesday, March 26th for most of the departments:
Maintenance/Building Operations who work tirelessly in every season to keep the campus safe and beautiful for everyone.
Human Resources/Staff Development who recruit, train, and work to retain the Misericordia staff. They hold specialized training sessions and provide resources for the staff.
Reception covers the all-important Thome and McAuley reception areas. The receptionists are great ambassadors for Misericordia.
Behavior Services support the mental and behavioral well-being of the residents. Services include individual and group work to enhance the social, communication, and interpersonal skill development of the residents.
Social Services maintains funding and compliance for all Misericordia residents. This includes working with families, scheduling staffings/meetings, working with state agencies, and maintaining records.
In March and April, there are a few shifts that have a significant need. We can take volunteers 16 and older, hours can be validated for school, court, or extracurriculars, and volunteers always receive a complimentary meal! On the days when we have many spaces available, it's a great opportunity to volunteer at Misericordia with friends, family, or coworkers!
Dear Families/Guardians,
We hope you are well and are looking forward to the spring season. As you are aware, there have been a number of organizational changes in 2023-2024, which have resulted in new faces, positions and opportunities for promotions for our committed staff. Recruitment and retention efforts continue to be a top priority as well for Misericordia. The recruitment team has grown to a team of six, allowing us to create areas of specialized focus for recruitment efforts specific to positions in healthcare, direct care and support roles. They have embraced a “boots on the ground” approach to interact, engage and attract talent to Misericordia as an employer of choice in the field of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. The team has worked to establish new partnerships with workforce programs and community agencies, in addition to universities, high schools, cultural centers and beyond. They are also pursuing onsite interviewing at CNA programs and pinning ceremonies for nurses.
Welcome to the 38th Annual Candy Days scheduled for April 26-27, 2024 (and potentially Wednesday, April 24th at only the Chicago train stations). We are excited to announce that we will be both virtual and back out in the community collecting donations for Misericordia this year. It has been 5 years since our families and friends went out into our local communities. Despite sore feet, this annual event was one that many of our family and friends looked forward to as it not only raised much needed funds for Misericordia but it served as a testament to our belief in the mission.
Dear Misericordia family and friends,
Our 38th Annual Candy Days is scheduled for April 26-27, 2024. We are excited to announce that we will be both virtual and back out in the community collecting donations for Misericordia this year. After being absent from view for the past four years, we will once again give witness to the city of Chicago and suburbs by our presence in front of storefronts, train stations, banks, schools, churches, etc., but NOT on the streets and NOT in traffic.
Misericordia is once again recognizing the hard work and dedication of its Staff this year. Different departments are recognized each month with a catered lunch, staff gifts and raffle drawings. The calendar below shows the schedule for the year. In addition to asking Misericordia families to provide e-mails of thanks and appreciation for the departments, we will be asking for volunteers to help with the events. Please check Mis Biz at the beginning of each month for additional information.
Lisa Masucci & John Butler
Memebership Chairs
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