About St. Leonard’s
St. Leonard’s Community Services London Region (SLCS) is dedicated to promoting positive change in all persons who are or could be in conflict with the law to realize their potential, leading to a safer community.
Our Goals
We offer education, community-based support programs/services and residential centers that:
- Assist persons in conflict with the law
- Prevent crime by promoting, developing and implementing improved policies, procedures and service delivery within the criminal justice system
- Promote acceptance of responsibility and accountability by persons in conflict with the law in order to change behaviour that contributes to crime
- Help the community understand its responsibility in both the incidence of crime and in the manner in which society responds to it
The spirit of SLCS remains consistent with the original core values its founding members shared.
Significant growth over the past 12 years enables us to broaden our reach of services and supports. A commitment and desire for innovation by both volunteers and qualified professionals continues to drive our success.
Our History
- Founded in 1969 through the efforts and leadership of the Bishop Cronyn Memorial Church congregation and founding members; Allan Henderson, Jeffery Flynn and Hume Cronyn
- Other influential people included, then Mayor Jane Bigelow and Archdeacon Kenneth Bolton who later chronicled the movement in his book “Halfway Home”
- St. Leonard's of Canada have named several awards in honour of Londoners who dedicated great efforts to SLCS and the halfway house movement of Canada
- Catholic Bishop John Cody, Anglican Bishop George Luxton and former Executive Director Ray Gallagher all figured prominently in the history of the London affiliate and the National Society
Time Line
- 1972
- Rapid growth urged the addition of the Cody Centre
- 1975
- Luxton Centre offered a Temporary Absence Program Centre, facilitating offenders from local detention centers to access the community and maintain employment
- 1984
- "The original rectory at 430 Williams St. elected to be demolished in order to build a seniors residence
- 1984
- Community Service Order Program contract in London/Middlesex acquired (paving the way to operate the Community Service and Alternative Measures Programs for young offenders)
- 1985
- Three story walk-up apartment building (Cody Apartment Centre) purchased to serve offenders returning to the community from federal penitentiary
- 1986
- The original Cody Centre re-opens after renovations serving “special needs” offenders integrating into the community
- 1986
- St Leonard’s London operates three residential facilities, offering 44 beds
- Mid 80’s
- Saleco (offender job training) workshop initialized
- 1986-1995
- Cody Centre zoning issues resolved and growth of 20 beds results
- 1995
- Agency employs 60 full and part-time staff and administers $1.9 million in revenue
- 1995
- The Ontario Government withdraws funding support of Luxton Centre, Egerton Centre and an Intermittent Program resulting in 36 staff layoffs and $1.1 million loss
- 1995
- Consolidation of operations and a diversified Agency allows St. Leonards to continue with restructuring
- 1999
- Community Programs Division develops new service agreements addressing emerging opportunities in serving Young Offenders. The Residential Programs Division re-opens the Egerton St. facility as Gallagher Centre and paves the way for opening a new Community Programs Centre
- Late 1990's-2000
- Continuing the change to strengthen ties to the community and provide diversification of services to the justice system. Community Programs Division enjoys success with the development of the nationally recognized Community Justice Circle Program
- 2007
- Reintegration Program - Intensive case management provided to individuals who experience symptoms of Mental Health at risk of becoming involved in the criminal justice system
- 2007
- Maison Louise Arbour named after the Honourable Louise Arbour, our first female residence opens their doors to provide services
- 2010
- Partnership with St. Joseph’s Healthcare increased our capacity to service individuals with mental illness and involvement with the criminal justice system
