Honorary Resolution for Marillac St. Vincent Family Services
Whereas, in the early 1900's Father Francis X. McCabe, then President of DePaul University and Pastor of St. Vincent's Church recognized a need for a day nursery in his parish so that women parishioners would have a safe place for their children while they were working to support themselves and their children while their husbands served in World War I; and
Whereas, Father McCabe opened the DePaul Nursery and Social Center in 1915 at the corner of Halsted and Webster, and the name was later changed to DePaul Settlement and Day Nursery. He requested two sisters from the Community of the Daughters of Charity in Emmitsburg, Maryland to come and run the Center; and
Whereas, in 1972, St Vincent Infant Asylum and DePaul Settlement and Day Nursery merged to become St. Vincent De Paul Center and services were extended to include community outreach to individuals and families requiring help with attaining basic needs, as well as neighborhood seniors in need of social and recreational services. Today the Center provides many services for individuals and families seeking help with basic needs and income supports, and for many seniors in need of comprehensive care plans to remain living autonomously
Whereas, for the past 100 years the Daughters of Charity have maintained a presence in the Lincoln Park Community, living their mission to strengthen and empower those most in need to reach their greatest potential by offering programs for children, teens, families, seniors and the homeless; and
Whereas, on Saturday, September 19th Marillac St. Vincent Family Services - St. Vincent De Paul Center will celebrate their 100th anniversary of service to the people of Chicago, and past students, teachers, clients and staff will gather with community members, elected officials, faith leaders and law enforcement to honor the Center's history of service to the Lincoln Park community; and
Whereas, Sister Catherine Mary Norris, better known as Sister Katie, deserves special recognition as she served at St. Vincent's for 30 years and Sister Katie was instrumental in the effort to build the existing building in 2000 and in spearheading the capital campaign to finance it; and
Whereas, The Honorable Michele Smith, the Alderman of the 43rd Ward wishes to apprise this august body of the 100th anniversary of Marillac St. Vincent Family Services and their commitment to the Lincoln Park community; now, therefore
Be it resolved that we, the Mayor and members of the City Council gathered together this 29th Day of July, 2015 AD, do hereby salute Marillac St. Vincent Family Services to thank them for their service and congratulate them on their 100th anniversary.