A lifelong advocate for education, the Rev. Scott Donahue is president and CEO of Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, a therapeutic home for children who have experienced abuse, neglect, abandonment and emotional trauma.

He also ministers at St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Parish on Chicago’s Northwest Side, and as the principal celebrant of WGN-TV Channel 9’s Sunday Mass at Mercy Home.

Rev. Donahue will present A Walk With My Friend Joseph Cardinal Bernardin on November 19 at Elmhurst College, as this year’s Joseph Cardinal Bernardin lecturer.

Since 1887, the Mercy Home for Boys and Girls has provided young people in crisis with the support and guidance they need to realize their own potential and make positive decisions. As the head of Mercy Home, Rev. Donahue instituted The Academy, Mercy Home’s in-house education program; oversaw the dramatic expansion of the AfterCare program, which offers lifelong resources and encouragement to Mercy Home’s former residents; and has worked to strengthen young people’s faith foundations to help guide them throughout their lives.

Rev. Donahue’s talk will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 19, in the Founders Lounge of the Frick Center. Admission is free, but we encourage you to register. For more information, call (630) 617-5186.