History
In 1888, a small group of women came together in Scranton at the invitation of an Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister to compassionately respond to the needs of children and their families. Originating as the Saint Joseph’s Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children and Aged Persons, Saint Joseph’s Center has grown into a multi-faceted Human Services organization that responds to the diverse needs of the community. By 1890, it became a sponsored mission of the Congregation of Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, with the Society promising financial support.
Our Mission
Saint Joseph’s Center is an independent Catholic agency sponsored by the Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, rooted in the values of Care, Concern, Compassion and Commitment. The Center strives to provide individuals and families who have special needs the opportunity to develop their abilities and potential to the fullest extent possible. We do this through residential, community and home-based services, outpatient therapy, maternity, family and adoption services.
Vision Statement
Individuals and families who have special needs will lead meaningful, fully engaged inclusive lives based on personal strengths.
Philosophy
Saint Joseph’s is committed to providing joyful and loving care to all whom it serves. Saint Joseph’s recognizes the inherent dignity of all people and tolerates no barriers in providing care or employment. All persons and property are treated with respect. Compassion guides our understanding of the hopes and dreams of those we serve.
Dedicated to the promotion of family life and the well-being of children, Saint Joseph’s and its employees assist individuals and families in reaching their chosen goals.
The implementation of this philosophy depends upon the collaborative efforts of Saint Joseph’s Center staff, Board members, Auxiliary members, volunteers, residents and clients, their families, and the community.
The purpose of Saint Joseph’s is:
- To provide and maintain residences for individuals who have intellectual disabilities or who need assistance in daily living regardless of race, color, religious creed, disability, ancestry, national origin, age, gender, or gender identity in an environment conducive to their physical, spiritual, mental and social growth, and to develop their abilities and potentials to the fullest extent possible;
- To provide housing and personal development in parenting skills for pregnant women and women with young children experiencing homelessness. The program will be based on values which recognize the dignity of motherhood and the life of the unborn
- To provide foster care and adoption services;
- To provide community support services and outreach programs;
- To provide therapy and other services for residents of Saint Joseph’s Center and people in the community;
- To render care consistent with moral theology as enunciated and reflected by the teaching, disciplines and laws of the Roman Catholic Church; and
- To witness devoted service, compassionate concern for the individual, and a warmth and humanity which emanate from lives dedicated to charitable ideals demonstrated through works of mercy.