Home of the Innocents has been serving Derby City for more than a century. Here’s a breakdown of this NuLu-based nonprofit + how you can get involved.
History
Home of the Innocents was founded in 1880 by Dr. James Taylor Helm — an Episcopalian minister of Christ Church in Louisville — to serve children and families. In the 1970s, the home took over child care programs that were previously run by the county government, as well as pediatric services formerly provided by the Jewish Home for Convalescent Children.
The organization grew rapidly between 1999 and 2015, primarily through the construction of the Joan E. Thomas Children’s Village in 2003. The 20-acre village in NuLu offers space and amenities to accommodate children in need.
Services
The home provides a wealth of programs including:
- Residential and community-based behavioral health services
- Therapeutic foster care and adoption
- Residential services + emergency shelter
- Pediatric care
- An aquatic therapy center — which includes a gymnasium, therapy + meeting rooms, and a catering kitchen — that is open to the public on a limited basis
Get Involved
Home of the Innocents is always looking for volunteers to help with different programs. Opportunities are available for adult, junior, and group volunteers. The organization is also accepting applications for therapeutic foster parents, dubbed “Teaching Parents.”
Other ways to help the nonprofit fulfill its mission of enriching the lives of children and families with hope, health, and happiness include making a monetary donation, filling a young person’s wish list, or hosting a fundraising event.