The first small house was opened in Chicago in 1876 on the corner of Polk and Halsted streets. The Chicago Fire had devastated a major section of the city five years earlier. The elderly poor in the area were very numerous, the Little Sisters were asked to welcome more and more of the elderly and larger accommodations were continually sought.

With help from many benefactors, volunteers, families and friends, even through the Great Depression, the mission flourished and continued to expand. Many older persons today still have their own memories of the Little Sisters going around town begging in their famous white bonnet under a big black mantle "the little old ladies in their black hats and the grandpas always with a tie and a suit coat."

In order to conform to new government standards the Little Sisters were forced to close these original homes. They were replaced in 1966 with St. Joseph's in Palatine and in 1980 with St. Mary's on the North side.

Government regulations are based on a medical model so the "new" homes were built with greater emphasis on institutional services, large "nursing units" and increased staffing. While many of these norms have helped provide excellent medical care to the aged, they have also made it more difficult to maintain the family spirit and the home-like atmosphere established by Jeanne Jugan and the first Little Sisters.

"Our homes were never meant to be nursing facilities, but homes for the aged." Renovations since 1990 have helped to decrease the number of nursing beds by transforming sections of the home into residential care areas.

Thanks to numerous sacrifices made by so many generous friends of the poor throughout the years, the Little Sister's work among the elderly in need continues today. The mission is more poignant now than ever!