History of St. Joseph Services

Dating back to 1861, the Daughters of Charity have a long history of serving the people of Chicago. For nearly 150 years, the Daughters have responded to the needs of the greater Chicago area. Over the years, these ministries have varied in response to various needs including schools, shelters for women and children, social centers, day care centers, outreach programs, and parish ministries.

Following this long tradition of caring, the Daughters of Charity started St. Joseph Services (SJS) in June of 2001. The goal was to develop an outreach ministry that worked in partnership with area parishes/non-profit institutions and agencies to serve and support families and individuals at risk, partnering with them to strengthen and develop their values and native skills in order to build the Kingdom of God.

Like the first sisters who came to Chicago in 1861, Sr. Renee Rose, Sr. Mary Kay Tyrell, and Sr. Patricia Huffman were commissioned to begin this new ministry. During that first year they initiated partnerships with St. Mark's Catholic Church, San Miguel School, and the Chicago Health Collaboration. This led to the development of three main programs.

SJS at Casa de Providencia: In November 2001, SJS agreed to partner with St. Mark's Catholic Church to transform their former convent into an outreach center that would serve the neighborhood. Many volunteer hours contributed to transforming a convent into an outreach center called Casa de Providencia. From February 2004 to October 2004, Saving the Childhood Foundation provided an After School Program at Casa de Providencia. In October 2004, after the major renovations were completed, Casa de Providencia began classes in English As A Second Language and opened a computer lab. Then, in December 2005, the after school program called "Quiet Place" opened. In February 2006, spirituality programs were initiated. These programs continue to grow and develop in response to the needs of the community.

SJS at San Miguel: In October 2001, SJS began partnering with the Lasallian Christian Brothers who were opening the San Miguel Comer Campus School, an inner-city school in the Austin community designed to provide high risk children with innovative and accessible education. In June 2002 SJS and San Miguel School partnered in a summer school program for forty children in the neighborhood. In September 2002, when San Miguel School opened, SJS hired a school social worker to assist the students and their families to make goals and link with resources that would enable them to remove barriers that might hinder their physical, mental, and/or spiritual growth. These services were expanded in December of 2005, when SJS hired a site coordinator who would provide and/or link San Miguel and the Austin community with a multitude of services including enrichment programs, dental screening, and classes in parenting, life skills, health education, computers, and employment.

Chicago Health Collaboration: In October 2001, SJS began partnership discussions with Poor Handmaid Sister. This would lead to the development of the Chicago Health Collaboration. In October of 2002, Chicago Health Collaborative developed and implemented a Health Education for Life Program to go out into the Chicago-Northwest communities and reach those with health needs - linking them not only to health care, but social services as well. In August 2004, Chicago Health Collaborative received a federal grant. The Collaboration objectives were achieved. Thus, the program was turned over to Prime Care.