OUR STORY

Since 1930, Saint Joseph’s Children’s Home has been a sanctuary of hope and healing for youth in need. We are committed to the whole individual, assisting in spiritual, emotional, academic, and physical growth.

In 1996, Saint Joseph’s Children’s Home became the first behavioral health program in Wyoming to achieve accreditation from the Joint Commission—prior to becoming a designated Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF).

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OUR HISTORY

For generations, Saint Joseph’s Children’s Home has been a lifeline for youth and families facing extraordinary challenges. What began in 1930 as an orphanage founded by Bishop Patrick McGovern has grown into a dynamic center of care and healing, grounded in the compassion of the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi and their enduring mission of service.

As the needs of young people evolved, so did we. In 1971, we shifted our focus to providing comprehensive treatment for youth navigating emotional and behavioral struggles. With the addition of the Newell Children’s Center in 1993 and therapeutic programs like 4-H and equine activities, we’ve created pathways for young people to find strength, connection, and hope.

Our commitment to excellence has paved the way for milestones, including becoming Wyoming’s first JCAHO-accredited program outside a hospital setting. Today, facilities like the Sisters Children’s Centers continue to provide safe, nurturing spaces for youth to heal and grow.

1920

1920

Patrick A. McGovern, D.D., Bishop of Cheyenne, formed the idea of Saint Joseph’s Orphanage.

1930

1930

Saint Joseph’s Orphanage opened and was dedicated on September 1, 1930. The original three-story brick building housed 100 orphans and the clergy and nuns who cared for them.

1931

1931

The 4-H program is established, bringing a hands-on approach to learning and skill-building, giving children purpose and pride.

1936

1936

The chapel construction is complete. Spirituality plays a very important role in the healing process for youth in our care. Our Director of Spiritual Wellness is available on the grounds to assist residents with this aspect of their treatment.

1953

1953

A dining/kitchen wing is added to the main building. This wing also houses the Fr. John Henry Museum, which was dedicated in 2005 after the first Superintendent of Saint Joseph’s Orphanage.

1969

1969

Our first treatment director has been hired.

1970

1970

A public school classroom through Torrington School District is opened on campus.

1971

1971

Our name was officially changed to Saint Joseph’s Children’s Home.

1973

1973

Saint Joseph’s Children’s Home issues their first Christmas Seals.

1974

1974

Father Carl Beavers takes over the reins as Superintendent.

1976

1976

A fully accredited K-12 school is opened on campus. Today, 26 highly qualified teachers and aides teach 226 days a year.

1992

1992

Newell Children’s Center opened, named after Bishop Hubert Newell. The center provides monitoring and security capabilities with a higher staff-to-child ratio.

1996

1996

Saint Joseph’s achieved accreditation from The Joint Commission and maintained the gold seal of approval since!

2002

2002

Sisters of Saint Francis Children’s Center opened, named after the Sisters of St. Francis of Assissi of Wisconsin, who provided care for the orphans for many years. The “Sisters Center” currently houses boys ages 12-17.

2004

2004

Saint John Bosco Children’s Center opens, housing girls ages 6-17 and boys ages 6-11.

2009

2009

Saint Joseph’s is licensed as a Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF), a federal designation of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

2009

2009

Partnered with Catholic Charities of Wyoming from 2009-2019 to provide outpatient mental health services in Cheyenne and Torrington.

2009

2009

The Equine Assisted Therapy program began, providing therapeutic intervention through working with horses.

2014

2014

The original pool, initially hand-dug by diocesan seminarians in the early 1950’s, was upgraded in 2014.

2019

2019

Ronda Meyer becomes the first female Executive Director of Saint Joseph’s Children’s Home.

MUSEUM & PARTNERS

JOHN HENRY MUSEUM

The John Henry Museum is named for The Very Reverend John Henry V.G., the first Superintendent of Saint Joseph's Children's Home. The museum contains many items of interest from Saint Joseph's years as an orphanage. Additionally, the museum houses many items and artifacts from throughout the Diocese of Cheyenne. Items from the T. Joe Cahill estate (Cheyenne Marshall and major benefactor of Saint Joseph's Orphanage) are also on display. Visitors are welcome during normal business hours. Advanced notice is appreciated.

Supported in part by a grant from the Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund, a program of the Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources.

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PARTNERS

Saint Joseph's Children's Home proudly partners with the following entities:

True Miracles

Transforming what healing looks like.

OUR TEAM

At Saint Joseph’s Children’s Home, our dedicated team is the heart of everything we do. Guided by compassion and a shared commitment to our mission, we work together to make a lasting difference in the lives we touch every day.

Leadership

Ronda Meyer

Executive Director

Stormy Lower

Program Director

Richard Nelson

Facilities Director

Devin Prather

Human Resources Director

Mark Haag

Director of Finance/Support Services

Cindy Louth

Admissions Director

Paula Krotz

Education Director

Nancy Greene

Director of Spiritual Wellness

Rocky Spino

Clinical Director

Brett Sargent

Residential Director

Paul Braddy

Director of Spiritual Wellness

Clinical Staff

J. Douglas Muir, MD

Board Certified Child, Adolescent, & Adult Psychiatrist

Rocky Spino

Clinical Director

Debbie Lukalu, LPC

Clinical Coordinator

Phil Lukalu, LPC

Therapist

Whitney George, LPC

Therapist

William Porter, PCSW

Therapist

Hope Phelon, LCSW

Therapist

Jennifer Lira, RN

Nursing Supervisor

Steve Smith

Therapy Assistant/Equine Specialist

Jodee Mendez

Therapist

Luz Hofer

Therapist

Erica Morris

Registered Nurse

Educators

Paula Krotz

Education Director

Kristin Mann

Education Coordinator

Janet Mundt

Elementary Teacher

Scott Davis

Physical Education Teacher

Katy Johnson

Long Term Substitute

Megan Ice

Assessment Coordinator

Christina Garcia

Computer Teacher

Kurstin Barrett

Substitute Teacher

Jess Reich

Substitute Teacher

Ashley Shimic

Substitute Teacher

Troy Peyton

Social Studies Teacher

Residential Staff

Brett Sargent

Residential Director

Sheila Foos

Residential Supervisor
Delta Unit

Mike Kattaneh

Residential Supervisor
Gamma Unit

Jesse Dunbar

Residential Supervisor
Newell Center

John Patrick

Residential Supervisor
Alpha Unit

Board of Directors

Click to Read Bio

Steven Biegler
Most Reverend, DD, STL

Bishop of the Diocese of Cheyenne
Cheyenne, WY

Ann Norwood
Board President

Retired Speech Therapist
Cheyenne, WY

Edith Selby
Board Vice President

Retired Business Owner
Casper, WY

Todd Peterson
Board Secretary/Treasurer

Retired President, Pinnacle Bank
Torrington, WY

William Cubin

Certified Public Accountant
Casper, WY

Jean Chrostoski

Consultant for Catholic Charities of Wyoming, Former School Superintendent
Cheyenne, WY

Shelly Duncan

Realtor
Torrington, WY

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