MERCY - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Clinical Director
- Member of the Senior Leadership Team
- Clinical Director for Mercy Home for Boys & Girls
- Vice President of Residential Programs
After graduating from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska Alban Fisher joined the Jesuit Volunteer Corps to work as a community organizer in Detroit, Michigan, and moved to Chicago's Uptown neighborhood where he lived and worked in a community of former Jesuit Volunteers and other social service activists and leaders. He completed his Master's in clinical psychology from DePaul University in 1990 and his Ph.D. in clinical psychology in 2003. Prior to joining Mercy Home in 2010, Fisher's work provided him extensive insights into the child welfare system, especially around the implementation of services in foster care, group homes, psychiatric hospitalization, independent living programs, and school settings. At Mercy Home, he served as a program manager and later as the Home's clinical director before being named Vice President of Youth Programs in October 2021.
Alban completed his undergraduate education at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. He joined the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, and worked as a community organizer in Detroit, Michigan for a year. Afterwards, he moved to the Uptown neighborhood in Chicago, and lived in a community of former Jesuit Volunteers and other social service activists and leaders.
For the next several years, Alban learned a great deal from dedicated people working to address issues of homelessness, chronic mental illness, housing, community banking, education of high-risk youth who had dropped out of school, as well as the management of non-profit agencies. He then decided to go graduate school to learn more about his interest in supporting youth and families in addressing the many high-risk situations.
He completed his Master's degree in clinical psychology from DePaul University in 1990, and then his Ph.D. in clinical psychology in 2003. After finishing his master's, Alban attended a one-year post-graduate internship at the University of Illinois at Chicago's Institute for Juvenile Research, completing a specialized program in family therapy. For the next few years, he was a therapist for mostly DCFS-involved youth and families who were facing issues of abuse and neglect. In addition to this, he became very involved in the understanding of the child welfare system, especially around the implementation of services in foster care, group homes, psychiatric hospitalization, independent living programs, and school settings.
For over 20 years, Alban served in the role of a supervisor, involved in the training and development of other supervisors, therapists, case managers, youth care workers, and mentors.
He has worked at Mercy since 2010, and for the first 10 years was a program manager responsible for the care of high school boys with a range of moderate to severe emotional and behavioral problems. He then served as Mercy Home's clinical director before being named Vice President of Youth Programs.
Alban is currently the Clinical Director for Mercy Home for Boys & Girls. He has a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from DePaul University and has experience working with youth who have experienced abuse and neglect.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Associate Board
Job Titles:
- Member of the Senior Leadership Team
- Associate Vice President of Walsh Campus Programs
Amy graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in psychology and began working with our older boys programs in 1999. She earned a master's degree in social work from Dominican University in 2004 and became director of youth programs at our West Loop campus in 2007. Schulz was instrumental the Home's programmatic and therapeutic enhancement, contributing to the development of its treatment model. In 2012, Schulz became director of our Walsh Campus for Girls where she advocated for numerous building and program enhancements and encouraged greater involvement from the local community. Amy also managed the Walsh campus through its greatest crisis in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic forced its temporary closure, and eventual reopening. She was named Associate Vice President in 2021.
Andrea has a master's degree in Education from Northwestern University and experience working with teachers & students.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Associate Board
Job Titles:
- Member of the Associate Board
Job Titles:
- Member of the Associate Board
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- Member of the Associate Board
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- Member of the Associate Board
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- Onward Healthcare Consulting, LLC
Job Titles:
- Director - Education Resources
- Director of Education Resources at Mercy Home for Boys & Girls
Brittany is currently the Director of Education Resources at Mercy Home for Boys & Girls in Chicago. Brittany's coworkers describe her as strong-willed, a supreme communicator, natural leader, relational, organized and adaptable. Brittany's inspiration for transformative education started in the 5th grade when she had a teacher who was very invested in the future of his students and consistently spoke on the importance of advocacy for systemic change. While Brittany and her classmates were too young to completely grasp some of Dr. Winters's concepts, she understood the overarching theme- "If you want something, you better make some noise." (Malcolm X).
In her current and previous positions at Mercy Home, Brittany has facilitated several trainings and professional development opportunities for her coworkers with much focus on education advocacy, diversity, systemic inequalities, and the importance of representation for young people.
Brittany received her master's degree in social work, graduating summa cum laude and a member of Phi Alpha Honor Society in 2015 with a concentration in children & families. Brittany's practicum experiences included family, individual, and group therapy for The Branch Family Institute and E-Mages Inc. In these internship placements, she learned the importance of psychoeducation and empowerment. Overall, it is important to teach clients problem-solving and communication skills and provide education and resources in an empathetic and supportive environment.
Overall, Brittany is a highly enthusiastic, assiduous, and empathic social worker and education advocate with over eight years experience in a therapeutic residential setting. Brittany has a strong commitment to serving youth and their families and professionally developing coworkers to best assist with clients from a person-in-environment perspective. Lastly, Brittany's focus on providing resources to families, educators, and youth continues to be the focal point of her lifelong dream.
Brittany is the Director of Education Resources at Mercy Home for Boys & Girls. She has a master's degree in social work from Governors State University and has over eight years of experience in a therapeutic residential setting.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Associate Board
Job Titles:
- Member of the Senior Leadership Team
- Chief Financial Officer & Vice President of Finance, Human Resources and Facilities
Cheryl has a BS degree in Accountancy from Northern Illinois University and an MBA in Finance from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University. Cheryl is also a certified public accountant. Cheryl worked as an auditor at Ernst & Young for four years and then for Dominick's Finer Foods for nine years with the last four as the Vice President and Treasurer. Cheryl has been at Mercy Home since 1999 and oversees Finance, Human Resources, Facilities and our printing and kitchen operations.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Associate Board
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- Member of the Associate Board
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- Member of the Associate Board
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- Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- Therapeutic Supervisor
Cynthia Velasquez is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She received her master's in Social Work from Loyola University in 2017. She received her B.A. in Pastoral Ministry from Dominican University. She is a first-generation Latina, who is the first in her family to receive a post-graduate degree. She began working at Mercy Home for Boys & Girls in 2014 after completing two-years of service. She worked as a Youth Care Worker on the West Loop campus for three years. Then transitioned to AfterCare, now called Community Care, where she helps connect members to the program and obtain therapeutic supports. She uses strength-base and trauma-informed approach in her work. She is trained in the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT). Cynthia is passionate about supporting and empowering the members through creative ideas.
Cynthia is the Therapeutic Supervisor at Mercy Home for Boys & Girls. She has a Master's in Social Work from Loyola University. She worked as a youth care worker for three years and now helps Community Care members obtain therapeutic supports.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Associate Board
Job Titles:
- Member of the Senior Leadership Team
- Associate Vice President of Community Care
Daniel earned his bachelor's degree in social work from Illinois State University in 2002 and his MSW from the Jane Adams School of Social Work at UIC in 2003. He began working at Mercy Home as a therapist in August of 2003 and was tasked to lead the expansion of the Home's AfterCare program in 2005. In 2009, he became co-director of boys programs at our West Loop Campus while continuing to direct AfterCare. In 2012, Daniel lead the development of Mercy Home's supportive housing program, providing affordable housing units to former residents and their families once they've reached adulthood. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, he led an expansion and formal renaming of AfterCare. The Community Care program, as it is now called, provides ongoing support, encouragement, and access to community resources to former Mercy Home residents, youth participating in our Friends First mentoring program, and families of current and former residents and youth in our mentoring program. Daniel was named Associate Vice President in 2021.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Associate Board
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- President / at & T Illinois
Job Titles:
- Director of Education and Career Resources
Elizabeth is currently the Director of Education and Career Resources at the Walsh Girls Campus. She has a master's degree in Social Service Administration from the University of Chicago and is a licensed clinical social worker.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Associate Board
Job Titles:
- Member of the Senior Leadership Team
- Vice President of Organizational Development and Clinical Operations
Emily Neal, LCSW, is the Vice President of Organizational Development and Clinical Operations at Mercy Home for Boys & Girls. She has been with Mercy Home since 2002 and held numerous positions at the agency including Therapist, Contracted Clinical Supervisor, Manager of Training, Director of Admissions, and Clinical Director. She received her master's degree in social work from the University of Chicago in 2002.
Her work and training has focused on providing trauma-informed interventions to children, adolescents, young adults, and families in a variety of settings, including residential treatment, outpatient mental health, schools, and juvenile corrections. Emily is a faculty member of the Complex Trauma Treatment Network and the founder and convener of the IL ARC Consortium. Emily is a certified to train the ARC Framework, the National Resource Center for Youth Services' Residential Child and Youth Care Professional Curriculum and is certified in the Child Trauma Academy's Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT).
Emily is the Vice President of Organizational Development and Clinical Operations at Mercy Home for Boys & Girls. She has a master's degree in Social Work from the University of Chicago & has focused her work on trauma-informed interventions.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Associate Board
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- Member of the Associate Board
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- Founder & Senior Partner / Codilis & Associates
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- Pastor, Saint Giles Parish in Oak Park
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- Pastor, St. Paul of the Cross in Park Ridge
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- Cardinal Cupich 's Liason, ‘Renew My Church'
Job Titles:
- Member of the Associate Board
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- Member of the Associate Board
Job Titles:
- Manager of Training at Mercy Home for Boys & Girls
Jasmen Mickey joined Mercy Home in September 2019. Prior to joining Mercy Home, she served as a Program Supervisor of residential services for chronically mentally ill adults; Clinical Therapist for children, adolescents and adults; Intake Counselor; Educational Youth Coach and a Youth Care Worker. Jasmen earned her BA in English Language and Literature from Virginia State University in Petersburg, VA and her MA in Community Mental Health Counseling from Saint Xavier University in Chicago, IL. Throughout Jasmen's professional journey, she has acquired a thorough understanding of poverty, academic struggles and mental health deficiencies experienced by diverse individuals and families, and the overall developmental effects it has on them.
Jasmen manages Mercy Home's agency trainings for all staff. She collaborates with the Organizational Development Department and other professionals in various departments to implement effective trainings for: Crisis Prevention Institute's (CPI) Nonviolent Crisis Intervention and the Mercy Model of Care curriculum, American Red Cross's First Aid/ CPR/ AED curriculum, Blueprint for New Coworkers, Medication Leader and the Archdiocese of Chicago's Office for the Protection of Children & Youth's Protecting God's Children curriculum. Additionally, she serves as a trainer and facilitator for new coworker orientation, CPI and Red Cross courses.
Jasmen is currently the Manager of Training at Mercy Home for Boys & Girls. She has a master's degree in Community Mental Health Counseling from Saint Xavier University and has experience working with both youth and adults.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Associate Board
Job Titles:
- Member of the Associate Board
Job Titles:
- Director of Learning and Development at Mercy Home for Boys & Girls
Jeremy is the Director of Learning and Development at Mercy Home for Boys & Girls. He has a master's in Forensic Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology and is a licensed clinical professional counselor in the state of Illinois.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Associate Board
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Senior Leadership Team
- Vice President of Advancement
Since he began as a MercyWorks volunteer in 2004 Joe has been an active team member in various departments within Mercy Home. Joe has BA in Sociology from St. John's University and an MBA from the University of Notre Dame. Joe supported youth to attain their academic, career and interpersonal goals as Youth Care Worker, Education Coordinator and Vice President of The Academy. As a member of the Youth Programs Administration team, Joe coordinated and led youth activities and, as a supervisor of the Home's training program, designed training curriculums and oversaw training of all agency coworkers. Since 2015 Joe has led a team of fundraising professionals to garner the financial resources needed to operate Mercy Home for Boys & Girls from generous supporters across the country.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
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- Member of the Associate Board
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- Member of the Associate Board
Job Titles:
- Underwriter 's Laboratories
Katie Cunningham is a mental health counselor. She has a Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Adler University and is focused on spreading education and awareness on important mental health topics.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Associate Board
- Environmental Protection Agency
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- Member of the Associate Board
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- Chief Growth Officer / Health Care Services Corp.
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- Member of the Associate Board
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- Member of the Associate Board
Job Titles:
- Member of the Senior Leadership Team
- Vice President of Education and Career Resources
- Vice President of Education and Career Resources / Education Advocacy, Program Evaluation, Special Education, Staff Development
Liz Kuhn Tomka, LCSW, was promoted to Vice President of Education and Career Resources in May 2019. Liz received her undergraduate degree in Family Studies from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and, upon graduation, became a full-time MercyWorks volunteer at Mercy Home. Liz later enrolled in the Columbia University School of Social Work and received a certificate in School Social Work. Liz worked as a Program Coordinator and later as the Chair of the Department of Student Life at a charter high school for five years. Liz returned to Mercy Home in 2010 to manage the volunteer program. She transitioned back to her passions of Education and Social Work in 2012, and she has provided leadership of after school programs and academic resources since that time. Outside of work, Liz enjoys time with her family and is highly invested in her neighborhood.
Liz is the Vice President of Education and Career Resources at Mercy Home for Boys & Girls. She has a bachelor's degree in Family Studies from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and has been working in education & social work since 2012.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Associate Board
Job Titles:
- Director of MercyWorks and Spiritual Development / Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Group
- Director of MercyWorks and Spiritual Development at Mercy Home for Boys & Girls
- Manager of Spiritual Development
Marc Velasquez, Manager of Spiritual Development, has been with Mercy Home for Boys & Girls since 2013. Prior to his work at Mercy Home, Marc worked with persons experiencing homelessness in Boston, college students interested in learning about social justice, and incarcerated individuals in Belize. Marc earned a MFA from Emerson College, and studied English, Philosophy and Theology as an undergrad at Boston College. During his time at Mercy Home, Marc has intentionally shaped spiritual programming that is responsive to both trauma and spiritual dissonance. He insures that spiritual programming at Mercy Home is Youth centered. Outside of work, he enjoys reading, writing, board games, logic puzzles, and playing whatever games his two children invent.
Marc is the Director of MercyWorks and Spiritual Development at Mercy Home for Boys & Girls. He has a Master of Fine Arts from Emerson College and has worked with college students, incarcerated individuals, and the homeless population.
Job Titles:
- Education Resources Coordinator - Cooke Home
- Education Resources Coordinator for Cooke Home at Mercy Home for Boys & Girls
Maria has been with Mercy Home for Boys & Girls for a little over two years. In 2018, Maria began her journey as a youth care worker, mentoring, caring for, and teaching life skills to young men ages 14-17. In August of 2019, she stepped into her current role as Education Resource Coordinator to these same young men, supporting them in their academic lives. Maria particularly enjoys finding new approaches to managing challenging behaviors seen in teenagers in the classroom. She has been blessed to watch the young men she works with grow, learn, and overcome new barriers in the last two years.
Maria is currently the Education Resources Coordinator for Cooke Home at Mercy Home for Boys & Girls. She began her Mercy Home journey as a youth care worker and is now helping those same young men in her new role, supporting them in their academics.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Associate Board
Job Titles:
- Director of Communications
- Director - Communications / Fundraising Communications, Media Relations
- Media Inquiries
Mark is the Director of Communications at Mercy Home for Boys & Girls. He studied history at Eastern Illinois University and has been developing and managing messaging and outreach activities for Mercy Home for 15 years.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Associate Board
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- Member of the Associate Board
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- Member of the Associate Board
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- Member of the Associate Board
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- Member of the Associate Board
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- Member of the Associate Board
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- Member of the Associate Board
Job Titles:
- Education Resources Coordinator - Daley Home
- Education Resources Coordinator - Daley Home / Education Advocacy, Executive Functioning, Teaching
Morgan is currently the Education Resources Coordinator for Daley Home at Mercy Home for Boys & Girls. Following her graduation from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, she moved back to Chicago with a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education. After three years of classroom experience as a teacher with the Archdiocese of Chicago, Morgan decided to change career paths within the education field. Morgan has been with Mercy Home for Boys & Girls since September 2019 and loves every minute of it! Morgan enjoys being an advocate for the youth in their schools to eliminate barriers and create equal opportunities to learn. Her favorite part of her role is having the opportunity to create strong connections with the youth and their families as they work together to accomplish their academic goals.
Morgan is currently the Education Resources Coordinator for Daley Home at Mercy Home for Boys & Girls. She has a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from Miami University of Ohio & has classroom experience with the Archdiocese of Chicago.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Associate Board
Job Titles:
- Education Resources Coordinator - Mahoney Home
- Education Resources Coordinator for Mahoney Home at Mercy Home for Boys & Girls
Nathaniel is currently the Education Resources Coordinator for Mahoney Home at Mercy Home for Boys & Girls. After graduating Cum Laude from DePaul University, Nathaniel pursued his passion of working in the social work field by supporting youth and families with their educational development. After working as an Education Assistant, Nathaniel decided that he would like to learn more about how traumatic experiences affect one's overall development and supportive intervention systems can help combat these obstacles. Nathaniel became a part of Mercy Home in July of 2018 and loves getting to know the youth throughout the West Loop Campus. His favorite part of his role is seeing the youth grow and achieve their goals throughout their time at Mercy. Nathaniel will be pursuing a MSW in the fall to continue to learn the dynamics of social work and how to best support youth and families with their development and goals.
Nathaniel is currently the Education Resources Coordinator for Mahoney Home at Mercy Home for Boys & Girls. He has a bachelor's degree from DePaul University and has a passion for helping implement supportive intervention systems for youth.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Associate Board
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- Member of the Board of Directors
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- Member of the Associate Board
Job Titles:
- Director
- Member of the Senior Leadership Team
- Associate Vice President of Planning and Evaluation
Patrick began working at Mercy Home as a MercyWorks volunteer after earning a degree in theology from Notre Dame in 2009. Patrick managed the program quality assessment and improvement process in our Admissions department before moving to our Organizational Development department in 2014. He also earned a master's degree in social work from the University of Illinois at Chicago that year. Patrick was instrumental in the development of a new program data management system, which updated the way we track information about youth, making it easier for coworkers to enter and access information to help them work with youth and families. In 2020, Patrick led the Compassionate Care Task force, which coordinated the therapeutic and tangible support we provided to our young people and families during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, he was named Associate Vice President of Planning and Evaluation where he will lead the Home's new Project Management Office (PMO).
Patrick Needham works as the Director of Planning and Evaluation at Mercy Home for Boys & Girls where he is focused on using measurement and evaluation to improve the agency's work with young people. He earned a bachelor's degree from Notre Dame and his MSW from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Patrick has worked at Mercy Home since 2009.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Associate Board
Job Titles:
- CEO
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Member of the Leadership Team
- PRESIDENT
- President / CEO, Mercy Home for Boys & Girls
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- Member of the Board of Directors
- Member of Its Board of Directors
- SECRETARY / City Lights Music, Inc.
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- Member of the Associate Board
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- CHAIRMAN of the Board of Directors
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- TREASURER of the Board of Directors
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- Member of the Associate Board
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- Member of the Associate Board
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- Member of the Associate Board
- VICE - CHAIR
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- Member of the Associate Board
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- the Northern Trust Company
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- Chief Information Officer
- Member of the Senior Leadership Team
- Vice President of Information Technology
Steve received his undergraduate degree from DePaul University in Information Systems. While working for a consulting company, Steve earned his MBA in Operations Management from DePaul University. While completing his master's degree, Steve started his own consulting company, which he successfully ran for 17 years. Steve holds Project Management Professional (PMP) and the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certifications. His blend of technological and business skills allows him to be a resource for all of Mercy Home's departments.
Sunday Mass at Mercy Home, which is filmed on location in the Our Lady of Mercy Chapel at Mercy Home for Boys & Girls and broadcast on WGN in Chicago, is a source of spiritual nourishment for those who are unable to leave their homes because of age or ailment to attend Mass.
Sunday Mass at Mercy Home is the most popular televised Catholic Mass in the Chicago area. Join our "Parish of the Airwaves" in your own home every Sunday Morning at 9:30 a.m. on WGN Channel 9, and on cable and satellite.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Associate Board
Job Titles:
- Director of Crisis and Ongoing Therapeutic Supports
Tilisha Harrison, LCSW is currently the Director of Crisis and Ongoing Therapeutic Supports at Mercy Home for Boys & Girls. She has dedicated her career to working with youth and families in crisis from a trauma informed lens.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Associate Board
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- Member of the Associate Board
Job Titles:
- Member of the Senior Leadership Team
- Vice President of Community Care
Tom started at Mercy Home as a youth care worker in 1992. After spending time in Community Care (then known as AfterCare) and in Youth Programs, Tom moved to Human Resources to help cultivate qualified employees for Mercy Home and then back to Youth Programs as Vice President due to his strong understanding of the needs of Mercy Home's children. Tom has a Master of Social Work degree from Loyola University Chicago and extensive field experience. His strong clinical and management skills increased the effectiveness of youth programs. As of January 2022, he has led the Home's Community Care program, in which he is working closely with former residents to help them build gainful careers.