Subseries 14 - Little Simcoe Street

0.2 cm of textual records

This subseries contains the history of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of London, Ontario during their ministry in St. Mary’s Parish at the Little Simcoe Street Community Apartment in London, Ontario. The Little Simcoe Street Community Project, spearheaded by Sister Elizabeth Sexton, was a social housing program to provide 32 apartments for those who had been psychiatric patients. It officially opened as Elaine Lucas Place in May 1995. Sister Elizabeth was a social worker and advocated on improving the living conditions for the disadvantaged people who were among her clients. Some of Sister Elizabeth’s social justice work included helping to establish the London Inner City Faith Team (LIFT). She worked with the LIFT Council, was on the LIFT Board Non-Profit Housing of London Incorporated, and she took up residence at a LIFT House as a support person.

This subseries also has records of the activities at the Little Simcoe Street Community Apartment from November 1994 to August 2001, when Sister Veronica Cooke, Sister Mary Leo, and Sister Teresa Ryan administered Elaine Lucas Place. Sister Veronica Cooke moved into Elaine Lucas Place and helped to settle in new tenants. These tenants included those experiencing mental illness, welfare recipients, seniors, and those with disabilities. Sister Veronica was also the treasurer of the Elaine Lucas Place, conducted visitations to house bound parishioners of St. Mary’s Parish, and provided social counselling to the tenants. Sister Mary Leo was the general treasurer of the Sisters of St. Joseph of London, a LIFT Board Member, and was an on-site contact person for the management of the building. Sister Teresa Ryan filled in for Sister Mary Leo from June 1997 to the summer of 1999. Sister Teresa Ryan’s ministry also included work at St. Joseph’s Hospitality Centre Soup Kitchen (later known as St. Joe’s Café) in London, Ontario.