by Linda Buchalo
This is the fifth in a series of articles about the Misericordia Community of Believers and focuses on the fourth core value: Responsibility.
The Community of Believers document summarizes this core value as follows: We value self-motivation and the energy it creates for teamwork and quality of care. As an organization, we are responsible to our residents, staff, families, supporters, the community, the nation, and our Catholic traditions.
As members of the Misericordia community, we know and feel the blessings that have been given to us, and we feel an awesome responsibility to show our thanks and to contribute to the mission of Misericordia. From a former orphanage to the beautiful campus that we see today, Misericordia has evolved thanks to the commitment and hard work of many people. Administrators, community leaders, staff, families, and residents have taken ownership and responsibility for growing and maintaining this wonderful place.
by Barb Quaintance
Picture thirty-two excited Misericordia athletes boarding a bus headed to the Special Olympics state games at Illinois State University. There, they joined almost four thousand athletes from across the state to participate in a variety of summer sports.
Any Misericordia athlete who won a gold medal in the Special Olympics regional games qualified for state. They included residents from the CILAs, Mercy Glen, the Village and Shannon. The Mis’ athletes competed in swimming, track and field, powerlifting and soccer. Many of the athletes had participated in state games before, but some new residents joined in the fun. Athletes could participate in one sport, whether that was part of a team (e.g. relay team, soccer) or in individual skills events (e.g. powerlifting).
by Linda Buchalo
Many times, I am reminded how fortunate I am that my son resides at Misericordia. Attending Mass at Jeanne Marie Ryan, going to Family Fest, dining in the Greenhouse Inn— these are just a few shining examples where I can attest to the goodness of Misericordia. This summer, when my son qualified for the statewide summer Special Olympics competition, I decided that I would attend. I did not travel with or stay with the group, but I arrived bright and early in the morning to oversee his getting ready for the day and I enjoyed meals, attended the opening ceremonies, and watched the swimming competition with the group. Often, over that weekend, I was again reminded of how blessed we both are to be affiliated with this very special place.
by Barb Quaintance
How fitting that on the day of Sister Rosemary’s wake, the first residents moved into the beautiful Sister Rosemary Park. The lovely residential area, comprised of sixteen homes and a park-like green space, will ultimately become home to 124 residents.
Within Sister Rosemary Park, there are homes for men, women, ambulatory, semi-ambulatory and non-ambulatory residents. Some residents who currently live in other Mis homes will move into Rosemary Park; other residents in each home will be new to the Misericordia community.
by Barb Quaintance
Under the leadership of Sister Rosemary Connelly, Scott Mendel and Geana Connelly, Misericordia is a founding member of Together for Choice (TFC), a coalition whose mission is to protect and advance the rights of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) to live, work and thrive in a community setting of their choice.
Founded in 2018, TFC’s position is that individuals and their families know best what type of residential and vocational programs and opportunities best meet their needs and preferences. The role of government, state and federal, should be to support all quality residential and vocational options. By doing so, the government treats individuals with disabilities the same as those who do not have disabilities.
Did you know that:
by Linda Buchalo
Today’s article focuses on the third Community of Believers core value: Diversity and Inclusion.
We embrace the diversity of the human family respecting the race, religion, color, ability, national origin, gender, and age of each. We strive to be inclusive, seeking to mirror the larger community of which we are a part. This enriches the lives of us all and makes our world a better and a more just and equitable place.
Although placed third, this is the newest core value and reflects Misericordia’s commitment to celebrating our shared humanity. We embrace the diversity of all humanity, and we strive for Misericordia, its staff, residents, and families, to mirror the diversity and inclusion reflected in neighboring communities.
by Linda Buchalo
Today’s article focuses on the second Community of Believers core value: Connection.
The Community of Believers document summarizes this core value as follows: We value relationships, connecting to our residents and to one another with a caring heart. Our residents are valued for who they are, and we seek to connect to that loving person within them. We connect to our co-workers as well, honoring each other.
The general atmosphere is one of friendliness, and this is evident as you stroll through the campus, take an official tour, or attend one of the many activities taking place. Residents and staff greet each other by name, and it’s amazing to realize that staff from all over the campus are familiar with so many of the residents. Likewise, residents know many of the staff. Indeed, life at Misericordia provides our family members with the connections that most of us take for granted in our own communities. The integrated setting provides this common dimension that is often missing in the lives of people with disabilities.
by Linda Buchalo
This article begins an in-depth exploration of each of the core values that make up the Misericordia Community of Believers. Today we focus on the first core value: Quality of Life.
The Community of Believers document summarizes this core value as follows: We value excellence and strive for it in all we do. Each of our residents is a valued person and deserves a worthwhile, quality life. Our staff creates and maintains a professional workplace, which benefits them and provides the residents with a positive environment in which to live. We are committed to this goal.
by Kathryn Moery
You may be familiar with the term DSP, or Direct Service Professional, but what exactly is a BSP? Far from being a typo, a Behavior Support Personnel (BSP) is a specially trained staff member whose role is to help individuals engage more successfully with their environment. BSPs provide targeted support that enables residents to participate more fully in daily life and activities.
To become a BSP, individuals must first complete certification as a Direct Service Professional (DSP). This foundational training covers essential areas, including safety care, verbal de-escalation, physical management, and proactive intervention techniques.
by Barb Quaintance
Misericordia needs many new staff to not only fill vacancies, but to staff the new residences at Rosemary Park. Human Resources is hard at work recruiting staff and training them on their job responsibilities and the culture of Misericordia.
When DSPs and Qs are hired, they are hired for a specific residential area. Then, all direct care staff—DSPs, Qs, DT Instructors—go through a four-week new staff orientation, conducted by Misericordia’s Staff Development team. The most recent classes had 55 participants. Here’s what’s covered in the orientation:
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