35 Years of Hope: John Berg

John Berg, a former prosecuting attorney who now practices civil law, first came to St. Martin de Porres House of Hope to settle a legal matter. Former board member and fellow attorney Tom Breen had called John to address a building complaint filed by an inspector with the City of Chicago. “Two hours after getting the call I whipped down there and visited the building. Sister Therese was running around taking care of everyone. She and Sister Connie showed me around the place. I had never seen anything quite like that before,”  John says. “It was an eye-opening experience. The moment you walked in you could feel the dedication. I was stunned at what an incredible experience it was, and how selfless these people were.”

John inspected the building and quickly determined the complaint was without merit. He got the complaint dismissed, and has been providing pro bono legal services to St. Martin’s ever since. “I got to know Sister Connie first – she had a fascinating legal mind. I worked with her to represent St. Martin on a number of different issues, mostly administrative things.”

After five years of working pro bono with St. Martin’s, John joined the Board of Directors where he served served for 10 years, and got to know Sr. Therese better. “Sr. Connie and Sr. Therese are wonderful human beings and I wish there were more people like them. They represent true selflessness.”

John, who enjoys singing in a choir, has enjoyed visiting St. Martin de Porres House of Hope for masses, church services and choir performances over the years. “There’s no place like the House of Hope,” he says.