A Tale of Two Families 
by Barb Quaintance
Most Misericordia families are from the greater Chicago area: we're lucky to have the jewel that is Misericordia so close to home. But some families come from farther than Des Plaines or Bridgeport or Highland Park or even Peoria. They upend their lives and move to Chicago so that their children can live at Mis. They don’t see it as a burden or a hardship; like the rest of us, they see it as a blessing.
Now, let me introduce you to two such families new to the Misericordia community: the Harrigans and the Ryans.
Stephanie and John Harrigan raised their special needs sons, Sam and Ben, and their daughter, Julia, in the San Francisco Bay Area. Stephanie, a native of Rogers Park, knew Misericordia as the Angel Guardian orphanage when she was young and later as Misericordia.
After exploring residential programs in California and nationally, Stephanie and John determined that Misericordia offered the best opportunities and most supportive environment for the boys, and they began the application process in 2018. By 2019, they had gone through interviews and visits. Facing the reality of an extended process, they identified a residential program in Napa County, but the program closed during the pandemic. MIS was not offering placements at that time, but the Harrigans felt it was time to move to “the promised land,” so they moved to Chicago.
In 2021, the Harrigans bought two adjacent condos; one for them, one for the boys. They immediately became involved in the Mis community through activities such as the Women’s Board and volunteering at the Greenhouse Inn. “The Call” came earlier this year when Sam was 38, and he moved into the Hulseman-Murphy CILA. He stays busy at the recycling center, bags coffee at the Hearts & Flour Bakery, plays Special Olympics field hockey, and enjoys Engage Chicago outings. Stephanie and John are blown away by the care Sam receives.
However, the transition hasn’t always been easy; Sam has been Ben’s guiding big brother, so the separation has been difficult for both. But good news - Ben has begun observation at Misericordia! The whole family is excited about the possibility that Ben will join his brother as a future placement.
Mary and Tim Ryan are the parents of another special guy, Will. They raised their family in Boston until Tim’s job brought them to Chicago four years before COVID. Will enrolled in New Trier High School and their daughter, Sophie, went off to college.
Mary and Tim had several connections to Misericordia, so they decided to apply in 2017. While they hoped Will would get in, they knew it wasn't guaranteed, so they kept looking at other places across the country. COVID hit, and Will graduated a week later.
About four months after Will’s graduation, the Ryans decided to hit the road and spend their time between West Virginia and Florida, with one goal: for Will to enjoy the outdoors. They assumed Misericordia was no longer an option. But they got a call in December 2025 saying Will was being considered for a spot. They never questioned moving again because nothing they’d seen came close to Mis. They could picture Will thriving there. It was also a place where the whole family could visit, be involved, and stay engaged with Will.
Nine years after filling out the application, Will moved into the Joan Donohoe Home in Rosemary Park in September. It’s all very new, but Will is happy, and the Ryans are impressed with the care Will is receiving. After Will's first home visit, when he returned to Mis, he ran right toward his new friends and gave them a big smile. He was happy to be back.
Please welcome the Harrigan and Ryan families to Misericordia. We’re so happy to have them in the Mis community!
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