Saint Philomena Cottage, named for the patron saint of youth and children, will provide care and independence to young adult women with disabilities who formerly resided at Saint Edmond’s Home for Children and aged out of the care model provided there.
A group of dedicated staff and supporters from Saint Edmond’s Home for Children were recently on hand for a special blessing and dedication to celebrate the opening of Saint Philomena Cottage, a community home for young adults with disabilities located in Delaware County. The residence is the first of its nature opened by Saint Edmond’s Home for Children. Saint Edmond’s is part of the Intellectual Disabilities Division of Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (CSS).
Auxiliary Bishop John J. McIntyre, who oversees the Secretariat for Catholic Human Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia as part of his administrative and pastoral responsibilities, presided over the blessing and dedication. He was joined by James Amato, Secretary for Catholic Human Services; Denise Clofine, Administrator for Saint Edmond’s Home for Children; members of The Women’s Auxiliary of St. Edmond’s Home for Children; as well as the young adult residents and their families. The event took place in a socially-distanced fashion in accordance with guidelines from public health agencies.
In November 2017, the Women’s Auxiliary of Saint Edmond’s Home for Children, which has contributed generously over many decades to capital projects and program enhancements benefitting children in need, purchased the house to serve as a community home and extend the scope of Saint Edmond’s care for residents over the age of 21 who have not found adult placement to meet their medically complex needs.
Denise Clofine, Administrator for Saint Edmond’s Home for Children said, “Today is the beginning of a long held dream to have a home like Saint Philomena Cottage where those we serve can continue to be with friends and staff who have become family. There is true love and compassion shared between the two. I am deeply grateful to the Women’s Auxiliary who exemplify a deep commitment to our mission. Sometimes in life we are fortunate to meet someone who makes a difference in the lives of others. I have been truly blessed to have met an entire group of women who exemplify dedication, care, and love. Their legacy is so very admirable.”
Located in Newtown Square, the fully renovated house meets accessibility standards set forth by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Key features include wide doorways, a large bathroom, a concrete wheelchair ramp, and a lift from the garage to the living area. Residents will retain round-the-clock support professionals as well as a nurse.
Saint Edmond’s Home for Children, located in Rosemont (Montgomery County), was founded by Archbishop Edmond Prendergast in 1916 to meet the needs of children afflicted by polio. First located at 44th Street and Haverford Avenue in Philadelphia, the home was administered by the Sisters of Bon Secours and was the first Catholic home of its kind in America. Over 100 years later, Saint Edmond’s Home for Children is an Intermediate Care Facility for children with severe and profound intellectual and physical disabilities. The facility’s primary role is to provide an exceptional range of services and compassionate, quality care for medically fragile children ages six weeks to 21 years old. For more information, please visit https://www.stedmondshome.org/.
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