OWENSBORO, KY - St. Joseph Peace Mission opened their doors Sept. 25, 2000, to accept children under the age of 18 who need a safe place to live for a while. Located on Third Street in Owensboro just west of Goose Egg Park, St. Joseph Peace Mission opened under the direction of a Board of Directors and June Bell, who directs day to day operations of the staff and residents.

Mission staff go through two weeks of orientation learning the state regulations and policy manual and to become certified in CPR and crisis intervention techniques.

St. Joseph Peace Mission can take self-referrals or court referrals from anywhere in the USA, said director June Bell. "Any abused, neglected, dependent or pregnant child may live here," she said. The Birthright Center in Owensboro also accepts pregnant youth, but they do not accept young women under age 18. So the St. Joseph Peace Mission may be able to help underage expectant mothers experiencing a problem pregnancy. The mission can also take in a girl who is not pregnant but already has a child.

"The St. Joseph Peace Mission is all new and debt-free. Our Board has worked really hard to find the support to create the mission," Mrs. Bell said. "We have had a license from the Licensure and Regulations division of the Kentucky Cabinet for Children and Families since September 8, 2000," she said. The Mission has a private childcare contract from the Community Based Service Department of the Kentucky Cabinet for Children and Family.

Many local civic and church groups have worked to support the St. Joseph Peace Mission. Mrs. Bell noted the Homeschoolers group, college sororities, the Junior League of Owensboro, members of the Chamber of Commerce, the Owensboro Diocesan Disciples Response Fund, Modern Welding Company, Williams Gas Corporation, MPD, to name but a few.

The house at St. Joseph Peace Mission is completely furnished—two rooms with baby beds, five bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths, three living rooms, a TV/study room, a computer room, office, laundry and kitchen.

The Board was progressive," Mrs. Bell said, "and willing to trust me. They’ve been very open and supportive of things I have put into action. For one thing, all our policies follow the precepts of the Catholic Church about defending life. No birth control or abortion is encouraged or permitted here. We have professional healthcare workers whom we’ve enlisted to help our residents when needed: doctors, pediatricians, nurse practitioners, dentists, eye-care specialists. We get all the local school schedules for residents’ information. In fact, right now about all we lack is a barbecue grill and a car for the Mission."

People are still showing up at the door with gifts, Mrs. Bell said: a stuffed bunny rabbit, toys, clothes. "Kids are always coming here to do their service hours from Owensboro Catholic Middle School. Mrs. Klee’s seventh grade class has taken the Mission as a project to save coins for St. Joseph Peace Mission. These things let children get involved in the Mission’s work of helping other children in need."

Mrs. Bell said that, as a nurse, she can talk to children about child abuse and neglect. "When something happens, a child can call us. This is a place where a child can call or go to find a safe place."

In the background of all this effort is a continuing reminder of the life and death of young Philip Strain, born on October 14, 1990, and died on Sept. 25, 1995, in Owensboro, a victim of violent abuse. Many area residents were saddened and alarmed by young Philip’s death, especially Vicki Kendrick Mills of Owensboro, whose efforts to start the St. Joseph Peace Mission inspired so many to work together to make the Mission a reality.