St. Leonard's Ministries » news

Holiday Happenings

diroper — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 19:57:21 +0000

Many people helped to make the Holidays bright for program participants. Queen of Martyrs Parish supplied gifts for residents and gifts to be given to their children. St. Martin’s Episcopal Church and Resurrection United Methodist Church gifted Grace House women. Christ Church (Winnetka) spread cheer at all three residential programs. “Uncle” Pete Zonsius provided new Christmas robes for GH residents. St. John’s Brotherhood of St. Andrew created gift boxes for SLH residents that included a nice supply of cosmetics. Susie Dunphy shopped wisely for SLH residents. And it wouldn’t be Christmas without Pam and David Waud’s sweat shirt presents, all beautifully wrapped, for the men of St. Leonard’s. Many other kind and thoughtful individuals sent along gift items for Christmas that helped to lift the spirits of program participants. Volunteers began coming at Thanksgiving and remained present through the New Year. A raft of friends served the Thanksgiving meal, making it a real dining experience. The choral group from Regina Dominican High School came for a December concert that staff and residents alike enjoyed. This marked the 15th year that Regina girls have come to St. Leonard’s at Christmas time – a real tradition! On Christmas Day itself, the Farnandis Family again joined us to provide live renditions of Christmas carols while residents enjoyed their celebratory meal. The 2011 Holidays surely provided SLM’s men and women with all the trappings of the media’s idea of Christmas. This left room in residents’ lives for a focus on the real meaning of the Holidays and making plans for a positive New Year.

A Graduation to Remember!

diroper — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 19:54:41 +0000

December’s High School Graduation was surely a testament to the determination of older students. Ernestine, 70 years old, the High School’s oldest graduate ever, amazed all those present as she delivered Graduation reflections. The high school diploma clearly represented so much to her and her family. Spencer and Phillip, also in the senior citizen category, were as proud as could be of their hard work that culminated in receiving the high school diploma. All 23 graduates had their own stories of determination and some- time struggles as they worked to complete the high school program. One of the highlights of the Graduation was the Commencement Address given by one of Chicago’s strongest community development people, Patricia Van Pelt-Watkins, who mesmerized the graduates and guests with her story of movement from private citizen to public advocate voicing the needs and concerns of many Chicagoans.

Recidivism Tracking

diroper — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 19:52:32 +0000

One of the more professionally enjoyable tasks related to life at St. Leonard’s Ministries is the annual tracking of recidivism rates for former residents. This is done by accessing the current inmate list for the Illinois Department of Corrections and matching it with former program participants’ IDOC names and numbers. The most telling statistics are related to individuals who left St. Leonard’s House or Grace House two to three years ago. Again this year, these numbers look quite positive. The rate of return for women is less than 5%; former Grace House program participants just don’t go back to prison! The rate of return for St. Leonard’s House men is approximately 20%. Recidivism rates for the general population in Illinois are higher than 50%. Simply put, solid programs and careful response to program participants’ needs result in fewer people returning to prison and greater savings to Illinois tax payers. Congratulations to program staff members at Grace House and St. Leonard’s House who bring about these positive numbers through their constant hard work and professionalism each day.

Walkin’ on the Right Side

diroper — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 19:15:25 +0000

A little light rain didn’t deter the staunch supporters of St. Leonard’s Ministries who turned out for the 5th Annual Agency Walkathon, held on Sat., Sept. 24th. SLM Board Members, under the leadership of Event Chair, Kevin Dolan, planned and carried out the Walkathon. Hinsdale folks made up the largest single contingent of walkers – they also ate the most donuts! Walkers made their way east from SLM passing by Grace House and the Viceroy Hotel site. The route took them further east on Washington and then back to the starting point by way of Randolph Street – a really good look at the Near West Side. Once the Walk was finished, participants vied with each other for various and sundry silent auction items – everything from a Tiffany-style lamp to a signed Black Hawks hockey puck – with tickets to 6 Flags Great America thrown in, too. Walkin’ and talkin’ – a good time for everyone! Thank you to all who supported our walk-a-thon.

Viceroy Hotel Project

diroper — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 19:07:23 +0000

It seems to be taking forever, but little by little the Viceroy Hotel project (Warren and Ashland) is moving along quite well. Heartland Housing, the project’s primary developer has been working carefully to complete all the final pre-construction phases: drawing of architectural plans, permitting with the City of Chicago and development of various funding streams needed for this really large undertaking. Although the details have not yet been worked out, SLM has been approved for funding from the Chicago Housing Authority for 17 units of permanent housing that will be available for Grace House residents at the Viceroy. This is a major step forward for SLM’s part in the housing component of the project. A loan of $350,000 from IFF has been approved by the IFF Board and by the SLM Board of Directors; these funds will be part of the capital costs of the Gracie’s Coffee Shop site on the first floor of the Viceroy. As a result of this up-front sharing in capital costs, SLM will not have to pay rent for the Coffee Shop site for its first five years of operation. It is too soon to establish an actual move-in date, but if construction/rehab work moves along as planned, the end of 2012 will see GH women moving into their housing units and coffee brewing at Gracie’s Coffee Shop.

Smart Life Decisions Program

diroper — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 19:06:06 +0000

Working with Communities in Schools of Chicago, St. Leonard’s House and Grace House residents participate in the “Smart Life Decisions” Program which sponsors SLM residents going into Chicago Public Schools to share life experiences in hope of preventing the children from experiencing the same things. Students are encouraged to stay in school and not make bad choices of getting involved with gangs, drugs and criminal activity. St. Leonard’s House and Grace House have been part of this program for three years; every year appearance requests grow. School officials believe that young people are more apt to listen to someone who has “been there/done that” rather than an individual just telling them “don’t do it because I say so.” From the letters and emails received after each appearance, it is clear that differences have been made in many of the children’s lives. For the men and women of St. Leonard’s House and Grace House, there is no better way to give back to their communities and to make a difference the lives of young people.

Green – Green – Green

diroper — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 19:04:15 +0000

Behind the Barlow Center, occupying a small piece of formerly unused ground, sits the newly created Michael Barlow Center for Green Technology. Pete Baker and his staff are the creative geniuses behind the Center. Re-cycling is a primary activity, but an urban garden, complete with composting activities, is also planned for next season. A small green house outfitted with solar light panels is part of the physical complex. The green house was designed and built by students in the most recent Green Building Maintenance Class at the Barlow Center. Small vegetables will be grown in the green house during the winter and moved to outside space next spring. Vegetable crops will be shared between the St. Leonard’s House Kitchen and the Barlow Center Culinary Skills classes. The Green Tech Center is an example of lots of activity taking place in a very small space.

Chicago Jobs Council Award

diroper — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 17:07:26 +0000

At its June Annual Luncheon, the Chicago Jobs Council presented St. Leonard’s Ministries with its “Partner of the Year” Award which recognized the Barlow Center staff, including former Director, Jim Zangs, for the leadership that the Center has played in creating a realistic approach to the development of a standardized green technology curriculum. Pete Baker, SLM Facilities Director and Green Building Maintenance Class Instructor, continues to play a major part in bringing about a practical and realistic approach to the greening of Chicago’s workforce and neighborhood communities.

Episcopal Charities Roundtable

diroper — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 17:06:31 +0000

St. Leonard’s Ministries was chosen by Episcopal Charities and Community Services to participate in its first Board Governance Round Table which began in May. Board Members, Peter Daane and David Jones, along with executive director, Bob Dougherty, will participate in an eighteen month seminar series related to clarifying and energizing Board participation in the life of the non-profit which it governs. An action plan will be created and set into motion as the Round Table continues. This is an excellent opportunity to infuse the board with ideas and possibilities from outside the Agency.

Arts Education

diroper — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 17:05:35 +0000

On May 27, Artist-in-Residence, Michael Agnew, once again created an enjoyable evening with a Readers’ Theater Production entitled, “Of Basketball and Being Me.” Four SLM program participants read some of their own poetic works interspersed with pieces by somewhat more well-known poets and prose writers. St. Andrew’s Church was transformed into a rather dramatic setting for the presentation which was the culmination of eight weeks of hard work and dedication on the part of the performers and others who were part of the event. The evening was as therapeutic as it was artful for performers and audience members alike. The Illinois Arts Council sponsored Michael’s presence with St. Leonard’s Ministries through its Artist in Residence Educational Programming.