A Connection Across Generations

Sometimes the most meaningful journeys begin long before we realize we're on them.

Just days before Meghan Martewicz was set to begin her new role as a clinical therapist at St. Coletta's of Illinois, a casual conversation with her mother uncovered a remarkable family connection. More than 50 years earlier, the same organization had cared for Meghan's uncle as a student at Kennedy School.

Until that moment, Martewicz had no idea her family's history was intertwined with the place where she was about to build her career.

The discovery came just weeks after she had earned her master's degree in social work from Indiana University and accepted a clinical therapist position at St. Coletta's.

"St. Coletta's wasn't something I had on my radar," she said. "But it's what worked out for the best."

As she prepared to start work, Meghan mentioned the name of her new employer to her mother, explaining that St. Coletta's operated Kennedy School for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Her mother's reaction was immediate.

"That sounds familiar," she said, wondering aloud whether her older brother, Brian, who died when Meghan was just a baby, had attended school there decades earlier.

After reaching out to her siblings and piecing together family memories, the answer became clear.

Brian had indeed been a student at Kennedy School and lived in one of the cottages on St. Coletta's former Palos Park campus, where he was cared for by the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi.

St. Coletta's archival records confirmed the family's discovery. Brian was admitted on Sept. 28, 1970, at age 14, and remained in the organization's care until June 12, 1977.

"It was a crazy connection," Martewicz said. "I had no idea. It definitely gives me even more of a connection to the clients."

For Martewicz, the discovery transformed what was already an exciting career opportunity into something deeply personal.

She chose to pursue social work because of her passion for social justice and her desire to help others with dignity and compassion.

"I've always cared about helping people in a humane way," she said. "Now, knowing my own family was part of St. Coletta's history makes this work even more meaningful."

While Meghan never had the chance to know Brian, learning about his time at Kennedy School has given her a new appreciation for the generations of care St. Coletta's has provided to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

"This story reminds us that every person we serve becomes part of our St. Coletta's family," said Heather Benedick, CEO of St. Coletta's of Illinois. "For more than 75 years, we've walked alongside families through every stage of life. To see Meghan unknowingly return to the very organization that once cared for her own uncle is a beautiful reminder that the connections we make here can span generations."

Founded in 1949 by the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi, St. Coletta's of Illinois has served thousands of children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through education, residential services, behavioral health, vocational training and community-based programs.

Today, as Martewicz begins caring for individuals and families of her own, she carries a deeper understanding of the trust they place in St. Coletta's.

"It's cool to think, when I'm working with someone, that this is someone's brother, someone's uncle," she said. "That was my family, too."

About St. Coletta's of Illinois

For more than 75 years, St. Coletta's of Illinois has empowered children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to reach their greatest potential through educational, residential, vocational and behavioral health services. Guided by its Franciscan heritage, the organization is committed to helping every individual live with purpose, dignity and belonging.