“After 182 years, the Archdiocese of Mobile is closing Saint Mary’s Group Home, effective September 30. 

It’s the oldest child-welfare agency in the state. Doors have been open since 1838. Archbishop Rodi says the needs of the kids who live here have outgrown what the church can offer.

He says it’s not a financial decision. It’s whats best for the children.

“The home has evolved from being an orphanage to serving kids who have serious psychological and emotional challenges. So it has changed over the years,” Rodi said. “It’s been a hard decision. We don’t like ending a ministry that has such a long history. But with the change of federal law and evolving needs of young people, we really feel this is in the best interest of the young people to do this.”

Right now, 66 employees are providing around-the-clock care for about 30 young people from across the state.

“They have challenges. They have serious psychological, emotional, and behavioral challenges,” said Rodi.

Rodi says the Alabama Department of Human Resources is responsible for finding the children another home. That’s why the Archdiocese had to give the department a 30-day notice.

“We will work with them. We do not want these young people to be traumatized by a sudden move,” Rodi said.

The move, Rodi says, will be challenging for the young people. However, they are working with the state to provide as much comfort as they can.

“We have asked the counsels to reassure the young people that they are going to continued to be cared for,” Rodi said.

The majority of St. Mary’s Home funding comes from donations and state grants, according to Archbishop Rodi. He says the home has a dwindling residential population, and he anticipated that number would continue to drop.

“The new Family First Act, which is soon to be implemented, emphasizes the services these young people need best provided within the home, rather than moving young people to a group home,” Rodi said.

So what’s next for the property?

We checked property records. Between 2008 and 2019, the property was appraised at between $70,000 and $75,000. The 2020 appraised value is $3.2 million.

We asked about this, and spokesperson Rob Herbst told us, “We have no plans for the property. Our focus now is on the best care for these youth and the employees at St. Mary’s Home, working to ensure their transitions are as seamless and positive as possible.”

Archbishop Rodi says they have put a package together for employees to assist with retirement or finding another job.

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