Coming Full Circle: One man’s journey back to St. Coletta’s of Illinois

Some places leave an imprint on the soul—a feeling of belonging that never fades. For Jerry B., that place has always been St. Coletta’s of Illinois. After more than 50 years, he has returned to the organization that once nurtured him as a child, finding comfort and connection in its care once again.

“I like coming here,” said Jerry as he enjoyed a quick snack break at St. Coletta’s Community Day Services program. “I like to work and keep busy. I don’t like to sit idle.”

Jerry first became part of the St. Coletta’s family in the late 1960s when his parents, Leonard and Genevieve of Lansing, enrolled him in the school for developmentally disabled children operated by the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi. Nestled on a serene campus in Palos Park, the program provided not just education but structure, discipline and a sense of community.

During the week, Jerry attended the Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. School for Exceptional Children and lived in one of the campus’s cozy residential cottages. Fridays were special—his parents would pick him up and bring him home for the weekend. Sundays were equally memorable, as his sister Kathy, newly licensed to drive, would take him back to school with their mother and best friend along for the ride.

“It was such a beautiful place,” Kathy reminisced. “So peaceful, almost collegiate, with a lovely chapel at the heart of it all.”

Jerry’s days at St. Coletta’s were filled with purpose. He found joy in playing basketball and took pride in competing in the Special Olympics. The campus chapel became a place of comfort, a steady presence in his routine. The discipline and structure—meticulously kept rooms, regimented mealtimes and neatly groomed students—instilled habits that would shape the rest of his life.

When Jerry returned home permanently in the early 1970s, his parents adopted the routines that had helped him thrive. He embraced responsibility, mowing the lawn with his father and even learning to drive—a skill that became indispensable when their father passed away, as their mother had never learned to drive herself.

For decades, Jerry lived with his widowed mother, sharing both a home and a deep bond until her passing in 2020. They had spent nearly ten years together at Marian Village, another vibrant Franciscan community filled with faith and familiarity.

With both Jerry and his sister Kathy now in their 70s, it became time to start planning for Jerry’s future. Fortunately, Kathy knew exactly where to turn.

St. Coletta’s of Illinois—the organization that had once helped Jerry flourish—was still faithfully carrying out its mission. Though it has since relocated to Tinley Park and is now primarily operated by dedicated laypeople, St. Coletta’s continues to provide compassionate support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, helping them lead meaningful, fulfilling lives.

Remarkably, the organization still has Jerry’s original Kennedy School enrollment card, carefully typed by the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi in 1967—a tangible link to his childhood and a testament to the lasting impact of St. Coletta’s care.

This past winter, Jerry reconnected with that legacy by enrolling in the Community Day Services program at St. Coletta’s Tinley Park campus. He now spends his weekdays participating in enriching activities, connecting with peers, and going on community outings that encourage independence and self-sufficiency. Once again, he is thriving.

In April, Jerry took the next step and moved into St. Coletta's Intermediate Care Facility (ICF)—a residential home that offers 24-hour support and care. After several visits and overnight stays to ease the transition, he has settled in and is embracing his new environment with joy and enthusiasm.

When asked how he feels about being back, Jerry beamed and clapped. He talked excitedly about the meal they enjoyed the night before and the TV programs he watched with others.

“I really like the place,” he said. “I like the people, I like the good food. Everybody has been so nice.”

“My mom always wanted him to have something that gave him a sense of worth,” said Kathy. “St. Coletta’s of Illinois does just that—it gives him a sense of purpose.”