St. Joseph Children's Home

Every child deserves safety, love, and support. We provide inclusive and compassionate care to ensure a safe home and a bright future for every child in our diverse community. 

Who We Are

St. Joseph Children’s Home was first established as the “St. Joseph Orphans Home” in 1849 by twelve local German-American Catholic parishes wishing to care for orphans whose parents had died in the cholera epidemic of 1832. St. Joe’s has evolved over the years to become a multifaceted, nonprofit child caring facility licensed by the Commonwealth of Kentucky. 

St. Joe’s is no longer home to “orphans” but rather, children who have been removed from their homes because they have experienced severe abuse and neglect. St. Joe’s has consistently adapted to the needs of the community and now serves children and families across four core programs: Residential Treatment Program, Therapeutic Foster Care and Adoption Program, the Child Development Center, as well as Behavior Health Services. St. Joe’s serves children in all counties of Kentucky, regardless of nationality, sexual orientation, race, or creed. Since 1849, St. Joe’s has provided a safe and loving home to over 75,000 boys and girls.

We will not quit until every child has a family! Learn more at www.sjkids.org.

Introducing SJ @ Play

Our children need a calming place where they can refocus, and SJ@ Play, our new comprehensive therapeutic outdoor complex, will be their turning point. SJ@Play is more than a playground: it is a space designed for play and healing which is beneficial for children of all ages and abilities – including those with medical complexities.

This complex gives our children the power to reclaim the normalcy they have lost. SJ@Play includes a hillside amphitheater for education and creative expression, along with outdoor classroom space, and an adaptive playground with sensory-rich equipment. ADA-compliant walking trails will connect all areas of campus, while our inclusive splash pad will provide water therapy opportunities. It also includes a full-court basketball area that allows children to experience team sports and healthy competition. The multi-use pavilion will provide covered space for family visits, therapeutic group sessions, and community events.

Will you help us build an essential therapeutic space where every child can play, learn, and heal? A gift of any size makes a difference for our kids and so does your advocacy. Please consider making a gift today and invest in the future of our St. Joe's Kids. 

St. Joe's is here to support our kids and families, thanks to wonderful friends like you. It truly takes a village and we thank you for being part of ours!

If you would like information on Foster Care and Adoption, another St. Joe's program, or other ways to make a transformational gift or leave a legacy for St. Joe's kids and families, email us at info@sjkids.org. 

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