In 1843 the Sisters of the Good Shepherd founded Maryhurst, the oldest operating child welfare agency in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The Sisters provided a caring environment for girls who suffered physical, emotional, and sexual abuse as well as homelessness. While it is still inspired by the Good Shepherd principles of individual nurturance, appropriate structure, and professional treatment, Maryhurst has operated under an independent board of directors and management team since 1998. Today the organization exists as a private, non-profit agency dedicated to making a difference in the lives of children and families in greatest need.

For 160 years, Maryhurst has provided high-quality educational, community-based, and therapeutic services to those in our care. Over the years, the organization experienced a significant increase in the number of children we serve and the programs we offer. In order to appropriately and cost effectively establish a continuum of our services, Maryhurst established collaborative relationships with a number of community partners, including local and state childcare agencies. Our expansion has moved us beyond campus residential programming to neighborhood-based group homes, after-school programs and intensive in-home programs as well. In many of these programs, we now serve boys as well as girls. We have continued to adapt our services in ways that meet the changing needs of the greater community.

Maryhurst provides treatment programs for severely traumatized children who most often are victims of sexual, physical, and/or emotional abuse. Children in our care turn to ³risk-taking² behaviors to cope with their pain. These behaviors can include such actions as running away, truancy, suicidal gesturing, delinquency, and substance abuse. Their issues are further complicated by years of multiple placements in foster care and hospital settings. In fact, prior to their involvement with Maryhurst, any one of our children is likely to have experienced an average of 20 out-of-home placements. We work hard to provide consistency, structure, and love for children. It is because of this philosophy and the hard work of staff and volunteers that our programs are successful. Today Maryhurst provides nine different programs that address the unique needs of more than 600 children and their families.