Father Purcell Memorial Exceptional Children's Center started in 2018, and the place is really about caring for children with developmental and behavioral needs, offering nursing and health care that fits those young residents who face unique challenges, and you'll find that the staff work hard every day to help the children feel safe and comfortable, as some kids have called this home for more than 16 years, and that's saying something about the way they're treated. The center, a ministry under The City of St. Jude Parish and the Catholic Archdiocese of Mobile, serves up to 58 children from across the country who have various exceptionalities and special educational needs, and it's actually recognized as a skilled pediatric nursing home, so medical treatment, custodial care, and physical management are all a big part of what they do.
The environment feels nurturing, and there's a focus on making life better with activities and programs tailored for each child, so you might notice kids have chances to engage and learn according to what fits their needs. They even allow residents to live with their pets, which helps the kids feel less alone and more at home. You'll find some simple but helpful amenities, too, like an on-site café where meals are served, transportation services to help residents get where they need to go, and apartment cleaning to make things easier for everyone. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit group, the center keeps its mission close, which is to support exceptional children and be a loving, long-term home with services that focus on both medical care and quality of life.
