BELIEVING
for over 180 years
Then
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St. Aloysius Orphanage has a rich history of serving children in the Cincinnati community, initiating charitable works in 1832. Father Henni, pastor and popular community leader, responded to the famine and illness resulting from the cholera outbreak (1832-1833). Cholera claimed many lives throughout the city leaving large numbers of German-speaking children orphaned in its wake. Father Henni and other first officers of the Society felt inspired to organize an orphan society, which has lasted more than 180 years.
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By 1842 the number of children had increased and the initial method of using private homes as wards would no longer suffice. After years of purchasing several different properties to house the children, on September 15, 1849, St. Aloysius Orphanage settled on a 62 ½ acres farm and forest land on Dayton Road (now Reading Road) in present day Bond Hill. Throughout the 1800’s, several additional buildings and land pieces were added to the site to further support the children.
Today
7
organizations are located at St. Als' main campus, including Learning Through Art and the Bond Hill + Roselawn Collaborative
Each year more than
3000
children and families are served by St. Al's in Hamilton, Butler, and Clermont Counties
Now
Studies in the 1950's began to illustrate convincingly that kids do best in a home environment. By 1972, social service agencies across the country were placing children primarily in foster care homes.
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During the 1980’s, St. Aloysius Orphanage focused services on responding to the effects of abuse and neglect. Clinical therapy became an important component of services with treatment offered to individuals, peer groups and families. As families and children became involved in multiple care programs, the need for more coordinated treatment interventions and greater community involvement.
St. Aloysius has continued to adapt with the emergence of new evidence-based treatment strategies and a better understanding of trauma.
Today we are certified by CARF, the Teaching-Family Association, and the Sanctuary Institute. We participate in and collaborate with Ohio Children's Alliance, The Tri-State Trauma Network, and MindPeace Cincinnati.
