Our Story
“To whom much is given, much is expected.”
Thomas (Tom) Owens often quoted this sentiment—and lived by it.
Renowned as a business visionary, innovator, and connector, Tom Owens was equally admired for his deep empathy, sense of purpose, and personal responsibility. After selling his successful business in 1985, Tom and his wife, Mary, used the proceeds to establish the Owens Foundation, dedicating their resources, time, and leadership to helping people experiencing homelessness and economic crisis.
Tom and Mary with Mother Teresa in San Francisco in 1998, meeting to discuss upcoming construction projects after a storm delayed their flight for five hours.
Tom’s philanthropic journey was first inspired by one of his employees, a single mother who was living with her four children at Sisterhouse, a Chicago shelter. It was there that he met Sister Linda, a missionary nun who introduced him to Mother Teresa, sparking a relationship that would profoundly shape Tom’s life and work. Over the years, Tom formed a close bond with Mother Teresa and collaborated with her on several charitable initiatives, including the construction of an orphanage in Mexico and projects throughout the United States. After years of shared work, she always said she had “her eye on him,” and encouraged him to “go back to Chicago and serve the homeless.”
And so he did.
Tom took a hands-on approach, personally visiting shelters across Chicago, offering immediate financial assistance, and connecting individuals with employers, mentors, and networks that could help them move toward independence. He believed in direct action—meeting people where they were and helping in the moment it mattered most.
In 1991, Tom founded Cara Chicago, an organization committed to providing quality training, employment, and support to motivated individuals experiencing poverty, homelessness, or previous incarceration. Since its founding, Cara Chicago has placed more than 17,000 people into meaningful jobs with some of Chicago’s leading companies. Today, the organization continues to thrive, staying true to its founding values and the Owens legacy, while significantly expanding its funding base and impact—just as Tom envisioned.
Tom and Mary, 1994, in the basement of Old St. Pat's Church, where the Cara Collective began. They recognized successful Cara-sponsored job seekers at the first Breakfast of the Stars banquet, a tradition that continues today.
Today, the Owens Foundation continues to support many of its original grantees, while also proudly partnering with local, community-rooted peer organizations and funders who share its mission. Together, they are transforming lives, uplifting neighborhoods, unlocking potential, and promoting stability, opportunity, and prosperity by funding vital resources and services for those who need them most.
The next generation—which includes 22 grandchildren—is now learning about the Owens legacy and its influence on the lives of so many. With the same spirit of compassion, vision, and dedication, they are poised to carry it forward, ensuring that the Foundation’s impact on individuals, families, and communities continues for generations to come.
