By Cynthia Sommer
Our approaches to addressing the social needs in our community have changed through the years but the promise to respond to society’s needs is deep-seated in our humanity and history. The 170-year history of St. Rose’s, a female orphanage that existed for 85 years on North Avenue and Lake Drive and the current St. Rose’s nonsectarian residence, is a continuing story of helping vulnerable girls in their early life journey.
The institution of the St. Rose Asylum/Orphanage was established in 1848 as a shelter and support for destitute female children of deceased parents and was under the care of the Daughters of Charity nuns. A dying request of a Jones island couple from Wexford County, Ireland resulted in 4-year-old Katie Colfer being the first charge of the orphanage. The number of children increased quickly such that the temporary building was soon replaced by a two-story facility on Jackson Street, just north of the St. John’s Cathedral. The dormitory, schoolroom and dining hall that started with 33 children would serve many more as a home at this location for the girls of St. Rose for the next 37 years.
Several historic events signi&cantly increased the number of orphans in Milwaukee during the 1850-1860s. A scourge of cholera in 1854 and the sinking of a Great Lakes passengership in 1860 put a great demand on St. Rose. The woodenhulled steamship, PS Lady Elgin, on its return trip to Milwaukee from Chicago, was rammed in a gale by a schooner and sunk in the early hours near Winnetka, Illinois. This maritime disaster resulted in the death of over 300 people, and remains “the greatest loss of life on open waters in the history of the Great Lakes.” Most of the dead were from Milwaukee, with the majority of those from Irish communities. Added to this disaster was the devastating conflict of the Civil War from 1861-1865. A report in 1859 listed 80 orphans at St. Rose, with an increase to 126 orphans by 1863. Demand for continuous support for the homeless followed with the rapid increase in immigrants and continuing disease outbreaks in the rapidly growing City of Milwaukee.
In recognition of their service, the City of Milwaukee deeded to the Daughters of Charity nuns, three acres of pasture land at North Point with an agreement to build a new hospital and future orphanage. In 1861, a two story brick house was constructed and occupied by orphan girls under the age of 10. For 27 years, homeless girls were cared for at both the Jackson Site and the North Point site. In 1888, a new building was added to the original brick structure, and all of the St. Rose charges were moved to the facility at 2321 N. Lake Drive.
In the early years, the budget was covered by community donation of food, clothing, firewood, coal, money and more. Special collections held at area parishes asked for support for the “poor little ones, without mothers and fathers.” Fairs and bazaars supported by hundreds of volunteers and guests provided annual support. By 1882, when it was officially made a diocesan institution, St. Rose received regular funding from the Diocese of Milwaukee. The institution was also aided financially from the free services of the nuns and girls who often sewed their own clothing and other items for sale. Up to the turn of the century, girls 15 yrs. of age could earn an income when placed in homes as domestic employees. By 1920, the Milwaukee County provided regular and significant support.
The 1888 three-story building on Lake Drive was designed to house up to 150 girls and included kitchens, dining rooms, parlors, classrooms, laundries and second floor dormitories. Because of heavy immigration in Milwaukee, there was an average population of 166 girls in the decade of 1900-1910. A girl’s education consisted of a strong foundation in reading, writing and arithmetic along with good homemaking skills such as sewing, cooking and cleaning. The arts expressed in band, chorus, dance and orchestra were a vital part of their education, and their talents were often displayed in many performances throughout the city.
By the 1950s, girls coming to St. Rose were more troubled than their predecessors. St. Rose adapted its support system to provide professional service, psychotherapy and counseling, and had a greater reliance on lay professional staff to care for the girls and provide therapeutic services. In the mid-1960s to the 1980s, transitional residences were established on Humboldt Avenue to provide homelike settings for 4-8 girls in high school and following graduations. Changes in society also saw the transition from an institutional setting like St. Rose to a government Foster Care system.
In 1972, the Board felt the mission of St. Rose could be best done as an independent, nonsectarian non-profit organization separate from the diocese, keeping with its greater dependence on government funding. The official name was changed to St. Rose Residence, and its 85-year history on Lake Drive was sadly ended. The land and building were sold in 1973 to St. Mary Hospital for its expansion and the funds from the sale allowed construction and a move to a new facility on 88th street with private bedrooms and a home environment.
The original mission of St. Rose to help young girls is still vital today but with a focus on addressing society’s more complex issues. The current St. Rose Youth and Family Center tries to provide hope for troubled girls, young women and children through residential care, and an on-site school for girls from 12-18 years of age. They specialize in helping girls with severe emotional and behavior problems such as self-abuse, delinquent activity, running away, mental health and anger control issues suffered through trauma. St. Rose Center also provides independent living support for young adults from 16-21 years of age, transitioning to living independently, especially after loss of foster care.
History and awareness tells us that some children and young adults need help from society. At any given time, Milwaukee has 2,000 children in need of foster care. It is evident that a village is needed to address these challenges—the community, caring individuals, professionals, non-profit institutions and government support.