Stemming from the amalgamation of two long standing organizations in 2020, St. Leonard’s Community Support, Prevention and Residential Services (SLCSPRS) continues to provide a broad spectrum of care from prevention to intervention within Hastings and Prince Edward Counties. We aspire to assist and enable youth and young adults who are, or at risk of being, in conflict with the law to build their life skills, increase their understanding and empathy, and to restore their self-confidence and self-worth though effective, responsive, and accessible programs. Our staff work to support youth development to help them grow into the best versions of themselves.
St. Leonard’s Community Support, Prevention and Residential Services promotes accountability for youth and young adults within the community and criminal justice system from prevention to intervention, by endorsing restorative justice principles, providing a structured and supportive atmosphere, and assisting in the reintegration of persons into the community as law-abiding citizens; ultimately reducing recidivism and enhancing public safety.
We aspire to assist and enable youth and young adults who are, or at risk of being, in conflict with the law, to restore their self-confidence and self-worth by building a foundation of dynamic partnerships that result in effective, responsive, and accessible programs for at-risk populations.
Lead by Example; Respect for Oneself & Others; Continuous Learning; Professionalism; Teamwork; Empathy.
Why “St. Leonard’s”?
As a part of the St. Leonard’s Society of Canada, SLCSPRS is a non-religious affiliated agency.
St. Leonard was a versatile and interesting sixth century character. He was the son of a Frankish noble, who was a principal officer and personal friend of King Clovis.
When Leonard was converted to Christianity, the king himself was one of his sponsors. The young man clearly had an inside track, which he could have used to his advantage to lead him to a high position in court circles. Instead he took up the cause of the unfortunates of society.
His first concern was for peasants. After a period of instruction under Maximus, he began a special ministry among them. He went to Limoges (better known to us today as the source of lovely porcelain and enamel) and established a humble refuge in the forest of Pauvain on the east side of the city beside the waters of the Vienne.
Peasants did not remain his only concern. Leonard has a triple saintly portfolio. He is known as the patron saint of the sick (with a special appeal for pregnant women), but pre-eminently he is the patron saint of prisoners. While he was in the forest an unusual event occurred concerning royal pregnancy. The way he dealt with the crisis laid the foundation for his major claim to recognition, the pioneer in the field of concern for prisoners. Of course legends surround any great character. Stories became embroidered and there is no absolute guarantee of historical accuracy. Somehow, though genuine heroes survive their conflicting biographies, and a reasonable facsimile can emerge.
The forest story is this:
The King who succeeded Clovis (probably Thedobert) was an ardent hunter. The forest of Pauvain was a great place for hunting deer and wild bear. On this historic occasion, he made the mistake of bringing the Queen, his second wife, along to the hunt in spite of the fact that she was in an advanced state of pregnancy. Suddenly, during the chase, her labour pains began. The King was guilt-ridden and panic-stricken. He was afraid his wife would die in childbirth. He was reminded that a monk named Leonard lived in the area and sent a messenger to find him.
Leonard came immediately on his donkey and ministered to the Queen. Her life was saved, and she gave birth to a daughter named Bertoara. The King was so relieved and so grateful that he gave Leonard full possession of as much of the forest he could ride in one night.
Leonard, of course, accepted the offer and rode as fast and as far as he could all through the night. To this day tourists are shown rocks in the area that seem to carry the impression of a hoof print. They are identified as “les pas de l’âne de Saint-Leonard”.
The land was a noble gift and so when Leonard built a monastery there, he called it Noblac. At first it was a haven for people who wished to live apart from the world, but later it became a halfway house for prisoners. The King had such admiration for Leonard and such trust in his ability to deal firmly but compassionately with the offender that he allowed him to select offenders, take them under his care at Noblac and then release them when he thought the time was right. In a sense St. Leonard was the forerunner of modern probation/parole officers.
Original story of St. Leonard by Kenneth C. Boulton of Halfway Home. The St. Leonards Story: 50th Anniversary Edition. 3rd Edition, 2012. St. Leonard’s Windsor, all rights reserved. Published by The Walkerville Publishing Company
