I have been volunteering at Misericordia since 2006. Every Thursday, I go to sports night with the residents who are high functioning. Every season we play a different sport. In winter, we play basketball. Spring: softball; summer/fall: soccer. In addition to playing sports, we also go on movie outings and dance parties. A couple of years ago, we started the swimming team with the residents who are non-ambulatory. During the summer, we take the residents to the swimming pool, and we help them swim laps. I have found this experience very rewarding. I love getting to know these people, and I have learned to appreciate the little things in life.
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- EIN 36-2170153
- (773) 973-6300
- 6300 N Ridge Ave Chicago IL 60660 USA
- www.misericordia.com
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Nonprofit Overview
Causes: Developmentally Disabled Centers, Disabilities, Human Services
Mission: The mission of misericordia is to support children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who choose our community by providing the highest quality residential, training, and employment services. We provide the full continuum of care designed to meet each person's changing needs and maximize his or her independence, self-determination, interpersonal relationships, and engagement in the community. Through our dedicated families, employees, volunteers, supporters and community networks, we offer an environment that fosters each person's spirituality, dignity, respect, and quality of life.
Programs: Founded in chicago in 1921, misericordia provides a network of services and a continuum of care for 600 children and adults from diverse racial, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds, with disabilities ranging from mild or moderate to severe and profound. Each resident has an individually designed program developed to meet his/her unique needs, with an overall goal of living as independent and meaningful a life as possible. Misericordia provides:-residential and day to day support, from 24-hour skilled nursing care to independent living in one of ten homes in the community;-comprehensive learning programs, job training and work opportunities to meet each person's unique abilities, from a person with severe disabilities mixing soil in the greenhouse to an adult with mild disabilities working at a local company;-physical, occupational and speech therapies, provided in two state of the art therapy centers;-fitness training and healthy living guidance, offered in a spacious aquatic and fitness center; -social and recreational activities on campus as well as outings in the chicagoland area;-opportunities for spiritual growth, including regular services for persons of the catholic and jewish faiths as well as non-denominational opportunities;-volunteer opportunities at local non-profit organizations give those residents who are capable a chance to share their gifts with others. All of this is possible because thousands of good people share misericordia's belief that persons with disabilities are entitled to the best lives possible.