Saint Leonard’s History
Inventing & innovating for 70 years.
Saint Leonard’s Ministries was established in 1954 by Father James Jones, Chaplain at what is now Chicago’s Cook County Jail. Father Jones recognized that individuals returning to our community following incarceration faced a multitude of serious challenges that impeded the path towards a stable, productive life. It was these challenges, he hypothesized, rather than a lack of character that caused individuals to return to crime and substance abuse.
Saint Leonard’s began as a sanctuary for homeless ex-offenders, a place to lay their heads at night so that they would not recidivate to survive. Over its 70 year history, Saint Leonard’s has evolved into a fully integrated health and social service agency that provides comprehensive evidence-based services to improve quality of life, stimulate economic opportunity, decrease recidivism and reunite families.
“Grace House changed my life. This place is magic.“
– Jessica, Grace House Alum
1950
1954: Father James Jones Founds Saint Leonard’s House
Former Cook County Jail Chaplain Fr. Jones opens Saint Leonard’s House at 2105 W Washington with 8 beds.
1955
1956: Saint Leonard’s House moves to 2100 W Warren, eventually increasing the capacity to 21. Father Robert Taylor joins as a student.
1958: Fr. Taylor becomes the Assistant Director of Saint Leonard’s House.
1960
1960: A chapel opens in the basement of 2100 thanks to Irene Coffin’s fundraising.
1963: Father Robert Taylor Becomes Executive Director
After being Assistant Director since 1958, Fr. Taylor becomes Executive Director.
1965
1967: Saint Leonard’s House opens a Drug Rehabilitation center with large federal grant funding from the Office of Economic Opportunity.
1970
1970: Louis Randall Becomes Executive Director
Randall completed the Saint Leonard’s House program in 1965 and served in various staff positions. In 1970 he becomes the first Black person, first Lay person, and first Former Felon to head an episcopal charity.
1972: Robert Smith Becomes Executive Director
Smith becomes Executive Director after coming on board in 1966.
1975
1978: Father Kimball Cannon Becomes Executive Director
Cannon becomes Executive Director after serving as Chaplain of Cook County Jail since 1963.
1980
1981: Walter Bradford Becomes Executive Director
Bradford returns to Saint Leonard’s House as Executive Director after working as Director of Staff Training in 1967.
1985
1986: Phyllis Bracey as Interim Executive Director
Bracey takes over when Bradford departs for a travel grant after serving as Administrative Assistant and Associate Executive Director. She was supported by Board President Dori Carlson during this time.
1987: Bob Dougherty Becomes Executive Director
Bob becomes Executive Director in December after responding to a summer ad in the Sun Times.
1990
1991: 2110 W Warren opens, and 15 residents move in on April 1st, expanding capacity to 40 residents.
1994: Grace House Opens
Grace House opens in September with a first cohort of 4 women moving in to 1454 W. 51st St. on the South Side of Chicago. Grace House will later relocate to its current home at 1801 W Adams St. in February of 2000 to be closer to the rest of campus.
1995
1998: SAINT ANDREW’S COURT OPENS
Saint Andrew’s Court for permanent supportive housing welcomes its first residents on December 1st. 1998 is also the first year of $1M+ Annual Budget, and Adler Community Health begins a partnership to provide counseling.
2000: SAINT LEONARD’S MINISTRIES
Saint Leonard’s House becomes Saint Leonard’s Ministries in honor of the expansion of programs and services.
2000
2001: The first 12 students of the Sister Jean Hughes Adult High School Program start class on September 17th.
2005
2005: Michael Barlow Center Opens
The Michael Barlow Center for education and workforce development, including the Adult High School program, formally opens with a dedication ceremony on April 22nd.
2007: First year of $2M+ Annual Budget. Healthcare Alternative Systems begins a collaboration to provide on-site substance use services.
2010
2012: Walter Boyd Becomes Executive Director
Boyd becomes Executive Director in December.
2013: Harvest Commons Opens
Saint Leonard’s Ministries obtains 17 apartments for permanent supportive housing in Harvest Commons, a mixed-use building on the Near West Side.
2015
2016: Erwin Mayer Becomes Executive Director
Mayer starts as Executive Director.
2020
2021: Zack Schrantz Becomes Executive Director
Schrantz becomes the official Executive Director after serving in the interim position for three months.
2024: 70 Years of Inventing and Innovating
Saint Leonard’s holds a celebration in honor of our 70th anniversary since opening in 1954. Over 250 community members attend, including 40 alumni, Ald. Walter Burnett, Lt. Governor Julianna Stratton, and distinguished alumna Willette Benford.
2025
2025: In June, a Campus Naming event celebrates renaming the collection of buildings on Warren and Hoyne as the Bob Dougherty Campus in honor of Bob’s 25+ years as Executive Director and outstanding impact on Saint Leonard’s Ministries.
