A History of Compassion

The founder of the Daughters of Divine Charity, Mother Fransiska Lechner, had a dream - to provide safe housing for young women away from home. She established the first home in Vienna, Austria in 1868, thus inspiring her Daughters to carry on this mission worldwide.

With Akron's Daughters of Divine Charity and through the foresight and courage of Sister Leonora Vurnik, Leonora Hall was opened in 1946, providing "a home away form home" for young women.

Our goal is to provide the highest quality, semi-independent, supportive living services in a safe, caring, compassionate and home-like atmosphere. Services are always "person centered" and tailored to meet each person's unique needs.

Today the Sisters continue to provide a safe caring home for women of all faiths.

Become a Daughter

The Congregation of the Daughters of Divine Charity was founded by Mother Franciska Lechner in 1868 in Vienna, Austria. She became aware of the situation of poor country girls who came to the large cities of Europe to find employment. They were often exposed to physical and moral dangers and she felt impelled to provide them with shelter and the protection of a sound grounding in their Christian Faith. This vision grew into residences for women in large cities, schools, and small country classrooms in dozens of countries in the world.

In 1946, The Daughters of Divine Charity purchased the Kerch Mansion and opened Leonora Hall to serve the greater Akron area, which continues today, more than 50 years later.  Since 1946, The Daughters have been providing a caring, comfortable "home away from home" for women of all ages, faiths and life's journey.

If you're interested in becoming a Daughter of Divine Charity, please stop by our residence at:

Leonora Hall

39 North Portage Path, (Akron Ohio 44303)

or call Sister Mary at: 330-867-1752