Irish Blessing for Kids

Cork Delegation invites youth to Ireland; you can help

Last March, Mercy Home opened its doors to a group of government officials and business leaders from County Cork in Ireland who were in Chicago for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.

At the time, Mercy Home was in the midst of its annual, month-long, Irish-themed Shamrocks for Kids celebration that raises funds and awareness for its work with troubled youth. The dignitaries toured the home’s West Side Chicago facilities and met with several of the young men who lived there.

Five of the eight Mercy Home youths prepare for their upcoming Ireland wilderness adventure by trying on camping gear.

They were so impressed with their experience that they offered to return the hospitality to Mercy Home’s kids by opening doors to Ireland.

This August, eight teenagers from the home—most of whom have never ventured outside of Chicago—will travel across the Atlantic to experience the culture of Ireland and the beauty of its countryside. During the nine-day trip, the young men will go on a wilderness adventure and enjoy such activities as hiking, fishing, sea kayaking and snorkeling, and will visit cultural and historical sites throughout Ireland. They will also meet with Irish youth.

“These kids are going to be ambassadors for Mercy Home and for Chicago, so we had to select eight young men who will be good representatives and keep an open mind during their travels,” said Joe Wronka, a Mercy Home staff member who will accompany the young men. To earn a spot on the trip, Mercy Home took into consideration how hard each young man worked in the program to turn his life around, his progress and standing in school, and an essay about Ireland that each child submitted.

Wronka and other staff at Mercy Home have been busy getting the eight youths ready. “We’ve been going out and getting their passports, buying the backpacks and the gear they will need, and providing educational programs on Irish history and culture,” Wronka said. The youth have also been working to get into top shape as the wilderness adventure will be physically demanding.

“We are so deeply grateful to the County Cork leaders for their generosity in hosting our young people in Ireland and providing this life-changing opportunity to our kids,” said Fr. Scott Donahue, Mercy Home’s president. “An experience like this one will broaden these young men’s horizons and inspire them to work harder to attain successful lives.”

The Cork visitors are funding the costs for the eight youth and four staff during their stay in Ireland, while Mercy Home is raising the funds needed to cover other expenses including travel.

“Right now, the biggest challenge is providing the airfare,” said Fr. Donahue. “We owed it to these youth to seize this extraordinary opportunity for them, and I knew that God would find a way for us to fund the significant cost of getting these children to Ireland. Right now, Mercy Home is reaching out to caring people in the public to help these deserving young men have the experience of a lifetime. If you would like to help, please contact Katie at Mercy Home, 312-738-7587.