The philosophy of St. Charles Children's Home is based on the Christian tradition of love set forth by Jesus Christ in the Gospels. The Gospels are the true foundation for democratic living because they are based on the principles of equality and mutual respect. Equality means, "Children are equal to adults in terms of human worth and dignity." Mutual respect entitles every person to respect and self determination with limits prescribed by society. It is our aim to teach the above principles within St. Charles.

In addition to the Sisters, a number of lay child care workers assist in the direct care of the children. Other staff take care of the cleaning, maintenance and upkeep of the house. Our treatment coordinator oversees the individual treatment program developed for each child, and a family worker supervises visits.

Our staff works as a team to provide the children with the stability and consistency which they need.

The running program at St. Charles began during the summer of 1996 to help the children cope with the stress and anger which often accompanies placement and separation issues. Running is a natural antidepressant, and the main goal of the program is to enhance their self esteem. Training and competition vary depending on each child's age and ability, up to 4 miles a day, 5 days a week. The children participate in 5k and 8k road races in the Seacoast area.

The Sisters run with the children and participate in road races.  We also play baseball and basketball in our yard, ride bikes with the children, roller skate, ice skate and cross country ski!  Our role is to parent the children, and we find participation in activites with the children to be absolutely essential.

St. Charles History
St. Charles began as an orphanage in 1913. In 1968, it became a home for children of families in crisis, and in 1973, the last orphan was placed.  Originally staffed by the Grey Nuns of Canada, in 1968 the administration of the Home was transferred to the Sisters of Charity of Our Lady, Mother of the Church, whose Motherhouse is in Baltic, CT.  In 2003, the Sisters of Charity felt it necessary to withdraw from St. Charles.  After a period of intense prayer, discernment and consultation, four Sisters obtained permission from Rome to separate from the Sisters of Charity to form a new private Association dedicated to the healing and care of children who have been removed from their families of origin.

The Daughters of Mary Mother of Healing Love work with both the children and families with the hopes of reunification. This is sometimes not possible and the children remain at the home until another permanent placement can be found.