1879
St. John’s Episcopal Church in Stamford begins an organized outreach program to immigrants living in South Stamford working for the Yale & Towne Manufacturing Company around 1879.
1882
St. John’s Church House opens its doors to the neighborhood in a building donated by Yale and Towne. A hospital/clinic is established on the corner of Pacific and Walnut Streets, which provides for other social service needs as well such as food and clothing.
1887
A Charter is granted by the State of Connecticut to “care for the aged, sick, infirm, homeless and orphans.” St. John’s Church House purchases the George A. Hoyt estate property at the northeast corner of Pacific and Woodland Place to accommodate the exploding needs. The Chapel of St. Luke the Physician is dedicated.
1894
Edward Day Ferguson Memorial Building on the Pacific/Woodland site is obtained to house services to meet the expanding health, recreational and social service needs. It contains an auditorium, gymnasium, rooms for housing and rooms for the hospital. It is referred to as St. John’s Hospital and Home.
1929
Is forced to close its doors due to the depression and lack of funds.
1933
Re-opens and work resumes including new activities, building restoration, and a reorganization of the governance structure.
1938
The Great Hurricane devastates the neighborhood, killing many persons and leaving others destitute and homeless. St. John’s Church House is the center of the relief efforts.
1941
St. John’s Church House and its Ferguson Memorial Hall is used full time during World War II by sailors stationed at nearby Luders’ Marine Construction (Brewer’s Marina) and for the air raid wardens.
1956
Buildings close for lack of funds.
1966
Re-opens through a recommitment of the membership of St. John’s Episcopal Church offering outreach and worship services.
1972
St. Luke’s Community Center is established to serve the needs of children and families living in the neighborhood.
1980
St. John’s Episcopal Church in cooperation with other Episcopal churches and the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut form the Community of St. Luke’s. The community takes over the work of the Community Center and operates as an “intentional religious community. An emergency shelter opens. Food co-op and food distribution programs are developed.
1982
The separation of religious activities from social and human services becomes necessary as a need from more resources become apparent.
1986
The Community of St. Luke becomes St. Luke’s Community Services, a not-for-profit, non-sectarian organization.
1987
The Rev. Richard Schuster, the Assistant Director of Episcopal Social Services, becomes the Executive Director. The Gilead House Residential Program opens, providing four three-bedroom apartment units for 13 persons with a history of psychiatric disabilities.
1988
The McKinney Residence Program opens, providing two three-bedroom apartment units serving 10 persons with AIDS.
1989
The Transitional Housing Program opens, providing six two-bedroom apartment units for 24 men and women in transition.
1990
The city of Stamford asks St. Luke’s Community Services to provide overnight shelter to women who are homeless. 21 women are accommodated.
1993
St. Luke’s Community Services opens the Center for Families and Children at Franklin Common, bringing 11 other agencies under one roof in order to provide a seamless service delivery system for families who have become homeless. St. Luke’s Community Services opens • 58 single room occupancy units for up to 128 persons in need of short term and transitional housing. • The Children’s Community, a childcare center for 100 children with infant through afterschool programming. • 12 single room occupancy units for 19 women who are single in need of short term and transitional housing.
1997
St. Luke’s Community Services changes its name to St. Luke’s LifeWorks. Through the Fairfield Community Development Corporation, 29 efficiency apartment units open at the Colony for persons with special needs and for low-income working persons.
1998
27 efficiency apartment units open at the Atlantic Park for persons with special needs and for low income working persons.
2001
Affiliation is completed with Bread & Roses, an HIV/AIDS service organization.
2002
SLLW/B&R now co-located in 16 locations throughout Fairfield County. SLLW/B&R establishes a Jail Diversion Program for persons with a history of psychiatric disabilities who have become involved with the criminal justice system.
2003
SLLW/B&R takes over management of Metcalf House on a property owned by the Unitarian Church of Stamford. SLLW/B&R open the Rose Park Apartments in collaboration with the City of Stamford. These apartments serve as an alternative living environment for those dislocated by lead abatement activities of the city.
2007
Relocates the McKinney Residence to 20 Woodland Place after a renovation. Based on changing demographics of HIV/AIDS population and current treatment options, SLLW begins implementation of a non-medical model of housing and service supports in Georgetown.
2009
The Rev. Richard Schuster retires after leading the agency for 22 years, passing away on August 29th after a long period of illness.
2010
Jason Shaplen is named Chief Executive Officer Mission Statement changes to: “Our mission is to break the cycle of homelessness by helping people achieve – and maintain – permanent housing and stability in their lives.”
2011
St. Luke’s LifeWorks achieves a record 151 job placements and 105 people moved from transitional to permanent housing. SLLW partners with Optimus and opens a health clinic at the Woodland campus. Children’s Services Program opens for all the children in shelter at Franklin Commons. The Youth Center offers educational and enrichment activities for this at-risk population.
2012
Significant improvements continue to be made to all the properties, with McKinney House being completely renovated. St. Luke’s LifeWorks officially changes its name to Inspirica, Inc. with the tagline, From Homelessness to Home, in March, 2012.
2014
Inspirica doubles the size of its family emergency shelter. The new Family Housing Emergency Shelter has 42 beds, expanding the size of the overall Family Housing Program by 25%. The total capacity of the Family Housing Program is now 105 beds, not including overflow space such as cribs. Inspirica renovates all four of its existing Family Housing suites to include a space for the case manager’s office to be housed within each suite.
2015
Inspirica breaks ground on 992 Summer Street- a collaboration with Charter Oak Communities to bring a 48-unit deeply affordable housing facility for seniors to the heart of downtown Stamford.
2016
Inspirica launches its innovative Early Childhood and Parenting Program, a space dedicated to school readiness for children 0-5 and their parents. The center combines crucial early childhood learning/development and a pre-literacy program for the homeless children in our care with essential parenting skills classes for their parents.
2017
Inspirica officially opens Summer Place (992 Summer Street) – a 48-unit deeply affordable housing facility for seniors 55+ in partnership with Charter Oak Communities.
2019
Denise Durham Williams is named Chief Executive Officer
Inspirica officially opens Franklin Apartments –Class A affordable housing for Stamford’s workforce which includes 53 apartments which can house up to 125 individuals.
2021
Inspirica’s shares a new Vision, Mission and Values:
Vision - A community where everyone has a stable, affordable home and hope for a bright future.
Mission - Inspirica strives to end homelessness and housing insecurity by helping individuals and families achieve independence through support services and affordable housing. Values- Respect, Integrity, Teamwork, Innovation
Inspirica implements their new strategic plan focused on six key opportunity areas: Housing, Support Services, Partnerships, Fundraising, Branding & Marketing and Talent
2023
Inspirica’s Employment, Education and Financial Empowerment Program launched to provide support services to Inspirica’s clients and the community