Rooted in Compassion. Driven by Hope.

As a ministry of the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago, St. Jude House shares the mission to Celebrate Life and Serve with Joy. St. Jude House empowers survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault by providing safe shelter, advocacy, and support services. We are committed to ending the cycle of abuse through education, community engagement, and trauma-informed care.

We believe that every person deserves to live free from fear—and that healing begins with safety, dignity, and respect.

Our History

St. Jude House was built because many people in our community shared the same hope—to create a safe place where people facing violence could find support, healing, and care. The opening of St. Jude House was not just the completion of a building. It was the beginning of a promise kept and a mission that continues today.

The idea for St. Jude House began with Crown Point community member Donald J. Burrell, who dreamed of creating something that would help people in need. He made a personal promise that if he found success in his work, he would give back in a meaningful way. With support from the community, that promise became the start of St. Jude House.

Funding to build St. Jude House came from generous gifts from Mr. Burrell and the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago. The Sisters have a long history in Northwest Indiana of caring for people, including those who are sick, aging, young, or living with disabilities. By supporting St. Jude House, the Sisters helped continue their mission of compassion, a mission that began more than 100 years ago with their founder, Mother Mary Theresa Dudzik, in 1894.

Today, St. Jude House serves more than 1,000 adults and children every year. We offer many free, confidential services, including:

• Safe shelter
• Counseling for adults and children
• Safety planning
• Legal advocacy
• Education and support programs

Now, St. Jude House continues to grow as a trusted resource, a compassionate partner, and a leader in the movement to end domestic violence.

From its beginning to today, St. Jude House has been a community effort—built on hope, generosity, and a shared belief that everyone deserves safety, respect, and support.