Help the Mersades Ann Foundation Buy a Bus and Break the Cycle of Incarceration!
We are the Mersades Ann Foundation (MAF), a dedicated 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (EIN: 93-3049687) committed to empowering children who have been impacted by parental incarceration.
Our mission is clear and heartfelt:
The Mersades Ann Foundation inspires hope and empowers children impacted by parental incarceration through transformative outdoor experiences that nurture learning, emotional resilience, and spiritual growth.
We believe that every child deserves a future filled with opportunity, connection, and hope—a future free from the cycle of generational imprisonment.
The Heart of the Issue: Our Local Focus
The collateral consequences of parental incarceration are devastating, and they hit close to home. In our service area—the greater Chicago Western Suburbs, specifically DuPage and Kane counties—we estimate that over 1,500 children (approximately 850 in DuPage and 700 in Kane) are currently facing these profound challenges. They often struggle with trauma, stigma, and instability.
Our Goal: To intervene with compassion and connection, providing the tools these children need to thrive and ensuring they have access to positive mentorship and life-changing experiences.
Our Solution: Healing Through Nature
What do we do? We take these children fishing!
Our program provides structured, transformative outdoor experiences, primarily centered around fishing, outdoor education, and mentorship. These aren't just fun trips; they are vital opportunities designed to achieve concrete objectives:
Nurture Emotional Resilience: Helping children process complex emotions in a safe, judgment-free environment.
Build Self-Confidence: Through a reward-based achievement system that celebrates every success, from catching their first fish to mastering a new skill.
Develop Leadership & Mentorship Skills: Connecting kids with positive role models who guide them toward a brighter future.
Our Motto: 'Connect. Seek. A-line.'
The MAF Origin Story: A Legacy of Love
The MAF is a living legacy—born from profound loss and deeper love.
Our founder, Scott Morgan, spent a period of his daughter Mersades Ann’s youth incarcerated. Upon his release, they found powerful healing, renewed connection, and an unbreakable bond through their shared passion for fishing.
Tragically, Mersades’ life was cut short in a car accident in June 2022, just before her 21st birthday. Just two days prior, in a beautiful act of kindness, Mersades took two children fishing, passing on the same joy and healing she had found with her father.
Inspired by her compassionate spirit, Scott and his family created the Mersades Ann Foundation to share that healing power of nature with other children facing the same struggles they once did. This foundation is Mersades' hope made real.
Our Urgent Need: A Mobile Hub of Hope ($30,000)
We have the programs, the passion, and the mentors, but we are missing one critical piece to scale our impact: reliable, safe transportation.
We are seeking to raise $30,000 to purchase and outfit a dedicated MAF bus.
This bus is not a luxury; it is the backbone of our operation and a direct pathway to empowerment:
Safety and Reach: It allows us to safely and consistently transport children and mentors across the DuPage and Kane counties, overcoming a major barrier for families.
Consistency: Consistent transportation ensures reliable attendance, which is vital for building trust and maximizing the benefits of our long-term mentorship and achievement system.
Community Building: It transforms travel time into time for connection, fellowship, and preparation for their transformative day in nature.
We are ready to hit the water, but we can't do it without wheels!
Join Our Community—Become a Cycle-Breaker
We humbly ask you to partner with us to invest in these children's futures. Every dollar donated to this campaign gets us closer to buying that bus and making sure no child misses out on a chance to heal, learn, and grow.
As a 501(c)(3), your contribution is tax-deductible. Whether it’s a small gift or a large sponsorship, your support is a direct investment in emotional resilience and breaking the cycle of imprisonment in our local community.
Thank you for helping us honor Mersades’ legacy and inspire hope for the next generation.
Please donate today and share our story!
Connect with us:
Website: https://mersadesannfoundation.org/
PO Box: 1063, Wheaton, Illinois 60157
Organizer
Mersades Ann Foundation
Beneficiary