Mercy Home for Boys & Girls has been a solution for kids in crisis since 1887. Through our residential, AfterCare, Friends First volunteer mentoring and professional referral programs, we assist more than 700 young people and members of their families each year. Read below to learn more about one of the West Central Association’s longest members.

Who are you?

Rita McGovern, director of affiliated constituencies at Mercy Home for Boys & Girls

How long have you been in the West Loop? To what do you attribute to your success?

Mercy Home has been located in the West Loop area since 1909. Our success in the West Loop is a result of our commitment to the community throughout these many years.

What makes your business unique?

Mercy Home is almost entirely privately funded. This allows our program staff the freedom to help young people who have suffered trauma by offering a safe place to live, learn and heal without government assistance.

Why are you West Central Association members?

Mercy Home strives to be a good neighbor and to share in the responsibilities of keeping the neighborhood safe and thriving for the youth entrusted to our care.

Share something interesting about your business

In 1934, Rev. Edward J. Kelly led the home through the Great Depression and founded the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) here at our location in the West Loop.

What are you passionate about?

Mercy Home is passionate about helping youth and families in crisis. Our admissions department received and responded to upwards of 1,700 inquiries last year.

What is something that people may not know about your business?

Mercy Home is not a school. Our location in the West Loop is a home for at-risk young men between the ages of 11-23. Our girls campus is located in the Beverly neighborhood of Chicago. Between our two campuses, our youth attend 52 different schools.

What do you value most about your West Central Association membership?

Being a member of the West Central Association gives Mercy Home the opportunity to get to know and to work with members of the West Loop community. We are grateful to be able network with individuals and businesses interested in helping us with our mission to serve the young people of Chicago in need of care.

Bonus Question: Favorite famous Chicagoan?

Jane Byrne - the first female mayor of Chicago