This past week (Thu, Jan 12 - Wed, Jan 18, 2023) the Community Transmission level was Substantial for Cook County.
Surgical masks will be required in all areas except McAuley, which will continue with N95s. In terms of visiting, unless you are taking your family member out, we ask that you continue to call, given the size of most homes and the limited number of visiting areas. We still continue to see activity on our campus, so we will proceed with caution and ask that mask usage continue for now.
*Going forward, we will only provide an update when there is a change in masking requirements.
Happy New Year, MFA Families! The Misericordia Volunteer Office is getting in touch to announce upcoming opportunities that are in need of volunteer assistance.
2023 Sunday Brunches in the Greenhouse Inn - We're in need of help on many upcoming Sundays in the Greenhouse Inn. This has historically been an area that the SIBs have taken charge of, and we would like to make a big push to have this resume in 2023. If you're a member of the SIBs, we're asking you to reach out to your network of friends and family and take on a Sunday in the restaurant. Since each shift in the Greenhouse Inn needs many people, this is a great opportunity to share the mission and community of Misericordia with friends new and old. More info about this opportunity and space to sign up for shifts can be found here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0f4eadac29a57-sunday2#/
Laundry Volunteers - The laundry facility at Misericordia does thousands of pounds of laundry each week, and they are open 365 days a year. Monday - Friday there are residents working here as a part of our Community Day Services and Developmental Training programs, but on the weekends our staff continue the work with volunteer assistance. If you're interested in helping in our laundry facility, you can read more about this and sign up for shifts here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050d4caeac23a2f49-misericordia13#/
Other upcoming volunteer needs throughout the spring and summer will be posted here, so please keep your eyes peeled for ways to stay involved with Misericordia!
pDear Families,
Thank you to those who were able to join us virtually for the MFA General Meeting (on January 15th).
However, if you were unable to make the meeting, the recording is available for your viewing.
It can be viewed on YouTube by going to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QIhlGg8R2Q
Thank you,
Pam and Jim Capraro
MFA Chairs
by Jule Ward
For thirty years, our family shared the care of two of our children, Kristin and Johnny, with Misericordia Home. Many treasured memories of our family’s time at Misericordia live in my heart, but the ones I remember best are times when its generosity of spirit lit up like a giant Christmas tree.
In 1985, when we took our son Johnny for his first visit to the school, we shared dinner with a friendly group of fellows in one of the Village Homes. At the end of dinner, one resident pushed back his chair. “I’d like to stay and have dessert with you,” he said, “but it’s my night to volunteer at the homeless shelter.” His words solidified my instinct that Johnny would find love and empathy among his new housemates.
Some years later, the students at the Learning Center engaged in a geography program which focused deeply on one nation each year. Through their studies, they became aware of hunger in the world. This realization heightened the gratitude they felt for the abundance of care they received at Misericordia and motivated them to help those less favored. With their teachers’ help, they organized an on-campus “Walk for Hunger”. Family and friends pledged funds to support the walk.
The words “Happy Thanksgiving” certainly take on a whole new meaning when you have a family member who calls Misericordia home. In spite of this unrelenting pandemic, our devoted, hardworking Misericordia staff continue to provide unparalleled care for those we love so much.
Once again, the MFA is partnering with Misericordia to recognize each and every one of our wonderful staff. Each of them helps to make Mis the home we love, and we want them to know how much we appreciate their efforts. From housekeeping to the kitchen, to the security guards, to nursing and social services, the DSPs and the Qs—we do not want to forget anyone! We are asking that MFA families show their appreciation by contributing to the MFA Holiday Staff Fund. We ask that you be as generous as your circumstances allow and encourage you to donate online. Click here to make your donation
by Kelly Burgess Mayer
The Misericordia SIBS were thrilled to return to an in-person Artist in All event! On Wednesday, November 16, 1000 artists, family and friends gathered at the Modern Wing of the Art Institute to celebrate our residential artists. Guests bid on artwork, noshed on delicious snacks and enjoyed being together with our Mis family.
Chairs Sheila Canavan, Colleen Cirulo and Kathleen Davy gracefully guided us back to the in-person event. The evening broke fundraising records: we ended the evening with $1.2 million (before expenses). The auction proceeds for the residential artwork was up $26,000 from our previous high. Guests were so excited to bid on our siblings’ artwork in person, once again!
Thanks to all the Misericordia staff for their hard work, especially Lois, Julie, Anne and the art instructors. You make our residents shine! Shout out to Mike McDonogh and Earle Atwarter who always make sure the artwork arrives safely at the Art Institute.
by Terry Baugh
Misericordia held a warm place in my heart even before I heard about the Hearts and Flour Bakery. My friends, Barb and Dave, had undertaken a long and nearly impossible search to find a nurturing place for their son, Seth, to live. When he was accepted at “Les Mis” as they fondly refer to it, the search ended, and Barb moved to Chicago to be close to Seth. Visiting Barb in Chicago and volunteering at the bakery was a great opportunity for me to catch up with my friend and spend a week working hard and feeling great about every day.
Volunteering for the bakery at Misericordia is a satisfying experience in giving back. The bakery is a hub of activity, with experienced bakers and novices, like me. I volunteered in 2019 just before the holidays. Christmas music played in the background and staff and volunteers and residents cheerily greeted each other as new people arrived for their shifts. Got a hairnet or hat? Apron? Gloves? You are ready to go.
by Linda Buchalo
This visit takes us to the largest living area on campus—McAuley Residence, built in 2004. The building, situated at the back of the campus, was constructed specifically to meet the needs of its current residents. McAuley was first occupied in 2005, as Misericordia South had outgrown its original location on 47th Street on the south side of Chicago.
McAuley is divided into six neighborhoods, with each unit named after the benefactor for that neighborhood. Included are one all-male neighborhood, one all-female, and four co-ed. Each neighborhood can serve 20–21 residents. Each has bedrooms with 2–4 residents and one single room, which allows for hospice services, as needed. Four neighborhoods have wall-equipped oxygen to serve those who require more nursing care. The current population is 113, although McAuley is licensed to serve 125 people. The ratio of staff to residents is 1 to 5 on the AM and PM shifts. The overnight shift has 2 CNAs on each unit and a nurse is assigned to each unit 24/7.
December 7, 2022
Dear Fellow Employees and Families,
As noted in my letter to all on November 14th regarding the status of organizational changes, I had announced that we had named the Vice President of Residential Services, Chris Krackenberger; the VP of Program Delivery, Tina Stendardo; and the VP of People, Culture and Strategy, Geana Connelly. At that time, we were still interviewing for the Vice President of Clinical Services. We have recently offered the position to one candidate and she has accepted. Her name is Madelyne Trejo and she is currently Associate Vice President of Nursing, Perioperative, GI, and Anesthesia at Swedish Covenant Hospital. She has her RN, MSN, and MBA; and, in addition to her clinical skills, Madelyne sees herself as a leader of people and takes pride in developing people to their full potential. It is imperative that we continue to develop and support new leaders here at Misericordia.
Madelyne will be joining our team in early January. She will be very busy for several months learning about Misericordia, our culture, mission and values and of course the residents, the staff, her departments and families. She will oversee all of nursing, physicians and nurse practitioners, therapy, dental office, dieticians, and provider clinics.
Madelyne will be joining the current VP team of Tina, Geana, and Chris. They will officially be in their new roles in January. All VP offices will be in the Administration hallway. We look forward to welcoming Madelyne to our Misericordia family.
Sincerely,
Fr. Jack Clair
President and Executive Director
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