Our Lady of Refuge to Hopevale
Our Lady of Refuge, was a Roman Catholic Order of sisters from Renes, France. Upon their arrival to Buffalo in 1855, they established their Motherhouse on Ellicott Street. Shortly after their arrival they opened doors for 10 girls with the objective of "the reformation of fallen women and of such idle and vicious girls who may be committed to the custody of the Society for the Protection and Destitute Roman Catholic Children".
Our Lady of Refuge Asylum, also known as the Good Shepherd Home, was incorporated on January 14, 1856. Due to the increase of girls coming into their care; more living quarters were rented two houses on Washington street adjacent to the French St. Peter's Church.
The population rose to forty-five by 1857 and Bishop Timon provided them six acres at 485 Best Street
Although the Bishop had provided the Sisters with this land, he had reservations about this location because he thought it "was too far out" from the city. The site was bounded by Best, Johnson, Timon and North Street; three blocks from former Civic Stadium.
A monastery began to be developed on the property in 1859. In order to reduce construction costs, the nuns carried mortar and other supplies to the building site. The monastery was finally completed in 1868. When completed, it was separated from the living quarters. The building was basically a shell, only with walls and a roof, with no furnishing.
Often times, the Refuge was an alternative to serving time in jail. It also offered a temporary shelter to young women who were exposed to temptation. The shelter assisted in finding employment. Due to the nature of the Refuge, infants were not accepted. The Refuge was divided into three classes. The Preservation Class comprised of those who had not erred. The Consecrated Class comprised of women and girls who vowed to stay one year. Those in this class were taught to sew, knit, and to make coats and vests. The final class, The Penitent Class were sent by police, and if after they served their time, the could choose to go into the consecrated class and they completed laundry from the outside.
Generally, children were kept until age 16 then they were returned to family, friends or placed elsewhere. If committed by courts, she remained until age 14. Their board was sometimes paid by family and/or friends; if committed, county paid $1.00 per week.
In August of 1875, the inmate population was at 104. Fifty-five were ages seven to fourteen; three were between the ages of four and five. The remainder of the inmates were adult women, committed to the Refuge. The adult women were separated from the children.
At this time there was only two principle buildings on the site - a three-story stone structure with a basement occupied by the Sisters and a three-story brick building with a basement occupied by inmates. There also was an orchard on the site. The property was enclosed by a high wooden fence to prevent intrusion and escape.
For those who broke the rule, punishment included deprivation of privileges, wearing of weekday clothes on Sunday, and the younger children were made to wear clothing inside-out
From 1927 - 1942, The Asylum of our Lady of Refuge was listed as an educational and corrective institution for seventy unprotected and delinquent white girls and women over the age of twelve. In 1942, the listing was for the care for delinquent girls; ages ten to seventeen (juvenile class); ages 18 and over (Notre Dame class). The population was at fifty with sixty-four vacancies 64; capacity .
An administrate building and an additional residence hall was built in 1953. A school was erected on the site in 1955 with ten classrooms, a science room, a library, and a gymnasium. By August 1959 the six acre site had ten buildings and several buildings needed repair and renovation. Staff included ninety-five sisters and novices. The surrounding area was becoming highly populate area and the city congestion taking away from tranquility. The Sisters felt a need to move, but were not able to until the current site was sold.
In 1960, the Sisters purchased property on Howard Road in Hamburg. It was until 1968 the Sisters had made the final decision to move out of the city and relocate to Howard Road. They began to build accommodations on a cottage system plan. The new facility was completed in 1971 with the relocation of inmates starting in December. The Hopevale Union Free School, was created by a Special Act of the Public School District of NY. The school had an independent school board, separate from the Hamburg School District.
In March 1976, the Sisters turned the operation of the facility lay board of directors and hired an executive director. At this time, the facility was renamed Hopevale. The board leased property from the Sisters and began standardized treatment with established policies for the care of the young women.
From the early 1980s, many new developments have taken place:
1982 Developmental Director hired and begins to utilize WNY foundations for support
1983 Families of the residents are provided with services
1986 The entire campus is purchased from the Sisters
1988 PACT Program started. The PACT Program is a treatment and education program for survivors of trauma. It is a specialized service for adolescents and families who have been victims of any type of abuse.
The PACT Program collaborates with Berkshire Farms, Boys and Girls Clubs, Compass House, Heritage Centers, Eating Disorders of WNY, North Street YWCA, Girl Scouts Council of Erie County.
1994 Charity Board Activated to raise funds from community
1997 Home-to-Home Therapeutic Foster Established
The therapeutic foster care program is for children whose needs are higher and more intense than other children requiring foster care placement. Most of these children have multiple behavioral and emotional problems, social and educational lags, and medical issues. They require an environment that is highly structured and consistent with a great deal of supervision and attention. The children need to be taught skills at a very basic level.
Referrals need to come from the recommendation of a psychiatrist, psychologist, or pediatrician. Foster parents are dually certified for this level of care along with regular foster care certification. Foster parents are also required to complete 24 hours of training per year.
2001 May - The Non-Secure Detention Facility Opens with Twelve Beds
The non-secure detention facility is a type of hold facility for youths needing temporary shelter while awaiting placement or alternative level of care. The detainees are involved in the Juvenile Justice system and are awaiting adjudication and often pose a threat to themselves or the community. The facility is funded by Erie County. The length of stay ranges from overnight to ninety days, with the average length of 30 days
2001 June - Family Activity Center added with indoor recreational activities
2003 Regular Foster Care program begins
For this program, referrals are often children that have "stepped down" from a higher level of care or from Erie County DSS. There is also availability of a 30-day urgent access placement. Foster parents are certified and also must complete twenty-four hours of training per year.
2005 January - began residential treatment program for boys
2007 Licensed for ninety-four youths; on fifty-five plus acres with seven residential units, living units; outdoors recreation facilities, administrative center and Family Activity Center.
The majority of children come from Erie and Western New York counties and most of them are victims of neglect; physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. The goal is to rebuild young lives and return home as responsible members of society
Other important aspects provided to the residents include a Therapeutic Recreation Program and Pastoral Care. The recreation program provides skills, motivation, and encouragement to utilize leisure time constructively. It is considered more than a diversionary tactic, providing opportunities to learn and grow. Activities include camping, creative arts, and volunteer opportunities at SPCA, Lothlorien Therapeutic Riding School, Autumnview Nursing Home, and Heritage Centers.
The Pastoral Care Program is operated by the Department of Religious Services. The goal is to rebuild spiritual lives of the youths. The Religious Task Force guides the department and provides a network of connections and acclimation into the communal environment. The Task Force is compromised of various faith based leaders in the community.
Hopevale also has a partnership with Alcohol and Drug Dependency Services (ADDS). ADDS provide counselors at the campus. The counselor provide individual and group counseling, along with psycho-education groups to maintain sobriety.
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