The 63rd Annual Misericordia Family Association Benefit is in the books!
Congratulations to the Benefit Chairs, Deb Brashears and Sue Ziesemer, for a spectacular night to remember! They had the help of many wonderful volunteers who created a magical atmosphere of illumination and love.
Huge thanks to our EMCEE EXTRAORDINAIRE, Lou Manfredini! And, the Misericordia Heartbreakers & Heartzingers, of course, brought the house down!
Even though the evening is over, there are still opportunities to be part of this special event, see below!
Fund a Need: The Health and Fitness Center
Misericordia is committed to promoting health and wellness for the residents. The Moore Aquatic & Fitness Center is pivotal in ensuring the residents have the means to do so. The pool is available 7 days a week, and the fitness center has equipment for residents to choose from, including treadmills, bikes, and wheelchair accessible equipment and weights.
Picture a new studio space that is connected to the Moore Aquatic and Fitness Center. It would be, of course, open to all residents across campus. The vision is a studio space that would allow the residents more area for activities like: indoor biking, sensory activities, movement to music sessions, Special Olympics practices, and more! An expanded studio will offer more options for more residents to continue their health and wellness journey at Misericordia. As Sr. Rosemary has said, "We are always looking to fulfill an unmet need."
And, you have through Labor Day to donate! Click here to donate the Health and Fitness Center.
The Giving Tree is full of wishes that you can help make happen. It is a wonderful way to help purchase much-needed items for Misericordia’s programs and residences, as well as for special projects and activities that benefit and enrich our residents’ lives. You can donate through Labor Day! Click here to donate to the Giving Tree.
On Thursday, September 7th, Misericordia is hosting an outdoor concert for all residents. Misericordia parent, Dr. Mark Hill, and his band - Dr. Mark and the Sutures - have graciously agreed to play for the residents from 2 – 3:30 p.m. under the main tent on the Family Fest grounds. Ten volunteers are needed to help staff take residents to and from the concert and assist during the concert.
Please volunteer at this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4EACAE2DA7FBC52-misericordia2
Volunteers needed for Family Fest! Please consider signing up for a shift, and help us spread the word by sharing widely with your friends, family, coworkers and neighbors!
Volunteer opportunities before the Fest: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050d4caeac23a2f49-20231#/
Volunteer opportunities at the Fest: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050d4caeac23a2f49-2023#/
During August, Misericordia is recognizing the hard work and dedication of the Supervisors. On August 24th, there will be catered meals, staff gifts and raffles.
While the Supervisors’ roles vary depending on the residential area, the Supervisors manage the day-to-day routines of the residents, staff and programming and the communication with families. Some areas have a Supervisor on-site 24/7 while others have AM and PM Supervisors. Supervisors are an integral part of the care Misericordia provides to its residents.
We need three volunteers to help set-up, greet the staff and clean-up at the August 24th luncheon. For more details and to sign-up, please go to this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4EACAE2DA7FBC52-supervisors
In addition, we are asking that families write notes of thanks and appreciation to the Supervisors and email them to us at
Thank you,
Lisa Masucci & John Butler
MFA’s Staff Appreciation Coordinators
July 25, 2023
Dear Misericordia Staff and Families,
As we continue to move in the direction of shifting McAuley's care and services to a more advanced clinical setting, we could not have gotten to where we are today without knowledge and leadership of Ashley Hespen, Diana Echavarria, Leticia Annoreno, Aroma Blomquist, and Cynthia Primar. So many of the original team when we moved Misericordia South to McAuley in 2005 are still very much a part of the management of McAuley. The talents of this team has ensured continuity of care and exceptional medical services since that move. We are excited as we enter this new chapter of further evolving McAuley's services to address the high complex needs of those we serve today and in the future. We see this as an opportunity as the whole of medical services come together across campus.
As a part of the McAuley reorganization, Rhonda Hrobowski, MSN, RN has been hired as the Assistant Vice President of Clinical Services. Rhonda comes to Misericordia with a wealth of clinical and leadership experience. She has been a registered nurse for over 20 years, received her Masters of Nursing degree from NorthPark University, and has held progressive nursing leadership roles within NorthShore University Health system. She possesses a strategic and innovative mindset and has a demonstrated track record of elevating nursing professional practice and process improvement.
July 14, 2023
Dear Families and Staff,
I hope all are taking advantage of these summer months and getting outside to enjoy or are able to get away on vacation. We wanted to share with you where we are at in terms of the organizational changes we made almost seven months ago. For the current organization chart, click here. Most of the staff you know well but there have been a few newcomers to the organization. Madelyne Trejo is VP in charge of Clinical Services. She has immersed herself in getting to know her teams including VP’s, nursing, therapy, our medical providers, dieticians and dental services. She has made an impact and we are very pleased she is a member of the team.
Another newcomer is Amara Tyler who started in March. She is the Assistant Vice President (AVP) of Quinlan and Mercy Glen. She works directly under Chris Krackenberger. She too has been getting to know the residents, staff, families and her co-workers. She brings a new perspective to different aspects of residential services. A more recent new hire is Alnierys Venegas who was hired in mid-June. She is the new AVP of Developmental Training Services. She works directly under Tina Stendardo and closely with Michael Diaz, the AVP of Community Day Services. Alnierys brings a considerable amount of experience in the nonprofit social service and higher education administration sectors in Chicago. She is currently finishing DSP training and OJT training and anxious to start to get to know the residents, staff and families. We are very happy that she has joined our team. These past seven months have been busy. People are settling in with their new roles and responsibilities.
Learn more about Misericordia by reading Campus Connections, the newsletter for employees. Click here for the most recent issue, July 2023. Past issues can be found in Campus Connections under the Misericordia Info menu item on this website.
We are calling all volunteers to help with the 2023 The Artist in All Event. The Artist in All takes place Wednesday, July 19, 2023 at the Modern Wing of the Art Institute of Chicago located at 159 E. Monroe.
PLEASE NOTE: ANY VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE SCHEDULED DURING THE ACTUAL EVENT ON JULY 19 REQUIRE THE INDIVIDUAL TO PURCHASE A TICKET TO THE EVENT.
Click here to sign up to volunteer! 2023 AIA Volunteer Sign Up: 2023 The Artist in All Volunteer Sign up (signupgenius.com)
If you have any questions, please contact Megan Biggam at
Misericordia is blessed to have over 37 acres of beautiful land that our residents, families and staff enjoy. Through the Day Services program, Sharon Metzger and our residents have designed a Garden Walk Brochure for families, staff and residents to enjoy. Over the past few years, our residents have really taken ownership of various gardens on campus. The next time you are on campus, please take the tour to see all of the residents' hard work and enjoy the scenery.
Click here for the Garden Walk Brochure. Enjoy!
Tina Stendardo
VP of Programs
During July, Misericordia is recognizing the hard work and dedication of the “QIDPs” or better known as the “Qs”. There will be an Appreciation Event on July 12th, which will include a catered luncheon, staff gifts and raffles.
Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professionals (QIDPs) oversee the needs of the residents, including their programs, goals, medical/dental needs, community outings and nearly all facets of daily life. QIDPs work closely with Supervisors, DSPs (Direct Service Providers) and parents/guardians to ensure quality care and programming for all residents. The House Managers and Environmental Coordinators are also instrumental in providing for the needs of the residents.
Please send an email or written note of thanks and appreciation directly to your residents’ Qs/House Managers/Environmental Coordinators during the month of July.
In addition, we need six volunteers to help set-up, greet the staff and clean-up at the July 12th luncheon. For more details and to sign-up, please go to this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4EACAE2DA7FBC52-qidp1
Thank you,
Lisa Masucci & John Butler
MFA’s Staff Appreciation Coordinators
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