SALUTE TO ST. LEONARDO MINISTRIES SIX DECADES OF SERVICE
WHEREAS, At a luncheon held on May 16, 2014 at Grace Place Episcopal Church of Chicago in the South Loop, the staff and supporters of St. Leonard's Ministries will celebrate 60 years of committed service to assisting the reintegration of formerly incarcerated men and women back into everyday life; and
WHEREAS, Since its founding by Father James Jones, an Episcopal priest, in May of 1954 with the assistance of many committed and generous individuals, particularly members of the Christ Church congregation in the North Shore suburb of Winnetka, the original location of St. Leonard's House at the corner of Hoyne and Warren on Chicago's Near West Side, is still a beacon of hope for those who have been recently released from prison; and
WHEREAS, The need has proved so great that St. Leonard's Ministries have expanded throughput the past six decades to include two buildings where service is provided to 40 residents, Grace House which provides interim housing, emotional and spiritual support, as well as professional counseling to women who are exiting the Illinois prison system, and St. Andrew's Court where men who have successfully completed the St. Leonard's House program can find continued support until they can transition into independent living; and
WHEREAS, This premier eleemosynary agency's activities are supported through the auspices of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago, the United Way, the City of Chicago's Departments of Family and Support Services, Housing and Economic Development and Public Health. In 2012, St. Leonard's Ministries was recognized as the National Criminal Justice's Outstanding Midwest Program and, in 2013, became one of Bank of America's Neighborhood Partners; and
WHEREAS, The Honorable Robert W. Fioretti, Alderman of the 2nd Ward, has apprised this august body of the worthy civic contribution and significant milestone achieved by St. Leonard's Ministries; now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED That we, the Mayor and members of the City of Chicago City Council, gathered together on this 28th Day of May, 2014, do hereby salute St. Leonard's Ministries on the occasion of their sixtieth year of nurturing the rebuilding of the lives of so many individuals who have sincerely sought a second chance in life and extend our very best wishes for continuing success in the fulfillment of its extremely vital and important mission.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to St. Leonard's House.
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