Hero Spotlight: La Donna V. Miller

Running with Heart and Purpose

Shortly after LaDonna V. Miller’s uncle passed away, she found an old text message he had sent her in 2023, the year Miller ran her first ever Bank of America Chicago Marathon. It read: “I put it in your mailbox, the money for [Mercy Home]. I hope you make it to the finish line.”

Miller remembers how supportive her uncle was when she trained for the marathon. When she would go on long runs in the forest preserves and parks in Chicago, her uncle would meet her there and cheer her on until she finished. 

Before she joined the Mercy Home Heroes, Miller worked as a middle school art teacher at a Chicago Public School.  While teaching, she developed a close bond with a student who was living at Mercy Home. Miller learned that the young woman was homeless before coming to Mercy Home, and that our Home gave her a safe, supportive, and nurturing place to live.

Throughout the semester, she noticed the youth’s personal and academic growth. 

“[Mercy Home] is a really viable option for [young kids in need],” Miller said.  “[This] was an organization that really helped [her].”    

Although Miller enjoyed teaching art and making a difference in the lives of young students, she felt called to pursue a new career path. When she learned that communities in Chicago lack access to therapeutic services, it stirred a flame inside her to create change. 

While still remaining an art teacher, she pursued a Master of Social Work degree at Loyola University of Chicago. After completing her degree, she went into the corporate field and had some valuable experiences. But she knew there was more in store for her and saw that there was a need for Black therapists in the South Side of Chicago. So, she decided to open her own private practice called O.U.R Counseling INC.

Miller provides services for individual therapy, couples therapy, family therapy, premarital counseling, career coaching, and executive functioning coaching.  

“I wanted to impact the communities that were closer to me [in the South Side of Chicago],” she said. “To be a voice of someone to listen to, to really break the barriers.”

When treating her clients, she blends art therapy, somatic yoga, reflective questions, and more to help her clients navigate their feelings. She even invites her clients on “walk and talk therapy”, where they meet up at different running trails to do therapy while enjoying nature.  

“I enjoy being able to get them to a place of comfortability,” she said.  

When Miller runs through different neighborhoods, she loves to be in the moment and observe her surroundings, which gives her a deeper connection to the activity and to her social work. 

Miller considers running essential to her mental and physical health. 

“I use [running] as a [form of] medication, a stress reliever, and a space to mediate and reflect before I get my day started,” Miller said.

Not only does she run for the health benefits, she keeps pushing forward knowing that she’s helping the mission of Mercy Home, and inspiring people to run for a cause. 

Just recently, two Mercy Home Heroes found Miller’s social media page, where she was fundraising for the Home. They were so encouraged to run the marathon that they joined the Heroes team this year. 

This will be Miller’s third year as a Mercy Home Hero.  

“I love how engaging it is,” she said. “I love the mission, and how it assists [the kids]. That’s what keeps me coming back.”

Every year, she looks forward to running past Mercy Home near Mile 17, where our boisterous fans cheer on all of our Heroes, and hearing our young people share their experiences at the pasta dinner.

“[At the pasta dinner], it’s encouraging to see that others are supportive and believe in not only the mission of the organization but the mission of them moving forward in life, their goals and aspirations,” she said.  

Miller has advice for Heroes running the marathon this year. 

“Stay true to your goal. Think about the end goal, be encouraged and motivated,” she said.  “Go at your own pace, taking it all in, and not comparing yourself to someone else, but knowing for yourself what your goal is and what you’re aspiring to do. This isn’t something that you just give up on. But knowing that there’s hope, being motivated and thinking about overcoming obstacles, and the perseverance that [our youth] have.”

Miller will dedicate this marathon to not only our mission of Mercy Home, but her uncle Roy Lee Stiff, who will be smiling down on her from heaven. 

We are grateful for all our Heroes who go the extra mile to give our kids a safe environment to heal from their trauma.