Mercy Home For Boys & Girls
11600 S Longwood Dr
Chicago, IL 60643
About Mercy Home For Boys & Girls
Located in a peaceful residential corner of Chicago’s South-Side Beverly/Morgan Park section, the Margaret Walsh Campus of Mercy Home is a one-of-a-kind, trauma-informed residential haven for girls and young women ages 11 to 21.
Unlike traditional addiction treatment centers or detox facilities, this campus is a therapeutic home environment where young people can heal from the deep emotional wounds of abuse, neglect and instability. Opened in 1987, the Walsh campus is one of two Mercy Home locations, the other focusing on the needs of boys and young men.
A Unique, Residential Approach to Healing
Mercy Home takes a whole-person approach to healing, which includes trauma recovery, mental health therapy, academic and career support and life skills development. They provide around-the-clock supervision, structured daily routines and a nurturing environment.
This is not a short-term detox center or 30-day rehab. Mercy Home is designed for young women who will benefit from additional time to establish trust and rebuild their identity and stability. I especially admire their focus on prevention, not just treatment, with the idea that intervening early can keep youth from spiraling into deeper patterns of addiction or homelessness.
Room to Explore and Grow
Girls are placed in one of several residential homes depending on their age and therapeutic needs. The Walgreen Home, a former mansion, and Bernadin Hall (a transitional living space for young women 18-21) are both equipped with cozy common areas, private bedrooms, dining spaces and designated study zones.
Some other notable details make Mercy Home unique. There is a craft cottage, fitness center, library, chapel, computer lab and even a garden to maintain. This home is designed to restore dignity and give girls and young women tools for self-expression and healing.
Free and Inclusive Support for Complex Needs
I’m impressed to learn that all services are entirely free at Mercy Home. That means no insurance and no hidden fees.
They are fully funded by donations, young people and their families don’t have to worry about whether they can afford help. The campus is inclusive of LGBTQ+ youth and offers individualized therapy and case management tailored for each resident.
Addiction Treatment Programs
Some of the most common services offered in a young adult program in Illinois include individual and group counseling, medication management, educational courses, and 12-step programs. These programs are tailored to address the challenges of this stage of life.
Each alcohol rehab in Illinois is unique, but most include three basic aspects of treatment: medical detox, psychotherapy, and medication. Through these methods, participants receive treatment for the physical, mental, and emotional aspects of alcohol use disorder.
Men’s rehab in Illinois typically includes individual, group, and family therapies. Group sessions are conducted with men only, which encourages greater vulnerability and sharing opportunities among participants.
Women who have substance use disorders are more likely than men to have co-occurring mental health disorders. Women’s rehab in Illinois often provides treatment for dual diagnosis, so women can get help for their addiction and disorders such as anxiety or depression.
In Illinois, cognitive behavioral therapy is an effective method for addiction treatment. It teaches effective communication skills, provides tools to help people improve mood, and empowers participants to dismiss insecurities that can lead to substance abuse.
Drug rehab in Illinois is designed to help men and women recover from drug addiction. The length of the program and its intensity vary, based on the individual’s needs. It’s important to find the right program to suit your unique situation and challenges.
Many substance abuse treatment plans include rational emotive behavioral therapy in Illinois. This treatment replaces negative decisions with healthy ones, helps prevent relapse, provides conflict-resolution skills, and improves interpersonal relationships.
Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) is an integrative, community-based care strategy designed to address the needs of persons with severe and/or complex mental illness or behavioral disorders. ACT is typically provided by a multidisciplinary team of medical and mental health care providers, social workers, therapists, and other specialists, including addiction recovery professionals. These services are frequently provided in the home and community to clients in crisis, those who are clinically unstable, and those who are unable or unwilling to travel to a hospital or clinic for in-person treatment.
Levels of Care
An Illinois dual diagnosis program treats both your mental health and recovery needs. Psychiatrists and addiction specialists work together to address co-occurring disorders, such as depression, anxiety, or ADHD.
Inpatient rehab in Illinois features intensive clinical supervision and a highly structured and supportive environment, meaning this level of care is especially well suited for clients just beginning their recovery journey and those at risk of relapse.
In many cases, drug rehab in Illinois begins with intervention. Professional intervention services are available to help you facilitate an intervention, develop a treatment plan, and choose the program that best suits your loved one’s needs.

