In 2002, PBMR was founded by a group of priests from the Missionaries of the Precious Blood. They moved into the Back of the Yards/Englewood area of Chicago in order to better serve the youth and families who were impacted by violence, incarceration and structural inequity.

Since its founding, the ministry has grown to encompass not only the Main Center, but the Urban Farm, Mother Bruner House (which is also home to the priests who began this ministry), Peace Garden, and the Front Porch, and they continue to expand.

The core values of PBMR include: Radical Hospitality, Accompaniment, Building relationships with youth and families, Relentless engagement of systems and stakeholders, and Collaboration.

PBMR is a ministry of reconciliation ministering to all who have been impacted by violence—seeking healing both for victims and for those who have caused harm. Through radical hospitality, hope, and healing, PBMR works to bring hope to the Back of the Yards community through restorative justice supportive programs such as peace circles, 1 on 1 case management, grief healing, reentry housing, education programs, job readiness, urban farm, and more!

SJC Outreach has been assisting this program for many years, both with financial assistance as one of our Sharing Ministries, but also through the many volunteers who visit regularly and have been instrumental to the growth of PBMR since its original beginnings.

Most recently members of our Fr. Dave Garden group visited with the PBMR Master gardeners to learn more about how they produced over 3 tons of fresh produce annually, which is provided to local residents. Team members from PBMR also came to visit the SJC Team Cuisine cooks to share a meal and spend some time getting to know one another.

See the website of PBMR for many more details: www.pbmr.org