M.S.W.
B.C.C.S.W.
Sister Rosario was born in Limerick, Ireland, the middle child of 7
children. Raised in Limerick, Ireland, she later moved to the United States
and joined the Sisters of the Holy Spirit to do missionary work in Louisiana.
 On June 1, 1979, the Louis Infants' Center was founded. Earlier on that day, Sister Rosario, while working at the St. Lucy's Day Care Center, went on a home visit to find out information as to why two children,: one five and the other one three, were constantly missing school. Instead of locating the two children, she found a 7 month old baby lying on a dirty mattress on the floor. The baby had a high fever and was quite ill. Sister asked for the mom and was told by a teenager (who had emerged from the back room where there was dancing going on with loud music), "She's at work". Sister called the O.C.S. supervisor who said, "Sister, we have no place for younger children if I take it." For days, those words echoed in Sister's ears and she could not forget the ill baby. In the days following, the Sister's moved their living quarters upstairs, and in no time the bottom area was converted to nurseries. That was the initial step. Then it was licensed. In the early days, the home had six beds. Most of the children came from poor or dysfunctional families. The ages ranged from birth to five. In 1982, El Paso home was opened. It was licensed for six children. Many times there were the siblings and needed a safe place. That also was a shelter. As time passed, it was noted that some children were classified P.D.D. and needed a more intense program, and we found ourselves saying over and over again, "We wish we had extra room so that we could accept them." In 1986, the Board of Directors, having heard of the need, purchased a home in the Summerfield Subdivision. That was know as the Midland House. Six children can find comfort and help there. Since all the children were in need of therapy, this house became licensed as a Group Home. The ages range from 2 to 9 years old. The office was getting referrals to accept older children. In 1989 another home was opened called Chateau St. Martin. Since many of the children were abused, neglected and abandoned, it was necessary to move from a shelter to a therapeutic center. The children were more seriously troubled, and we responded by increasing the therapeutic services. The program at Chateau St. Martin Home remained flexible, and by 1990, it had evolved from a caregiving home to a therapeutic home. Since then, more seriously troubled children were admitted and again we responded by focusing on developing individual and group therapy. As time passed, we noticed that some children were classified P.D.D. (It is our intention to move from shelter to a Respite home for the Mothers of Autistic/Down Syndrome/Pervasive Developmentally Disordered children at the El Paso home.) In all three homes, the children participate in structured therapeutic activities that help them grow emotionally, physically and intellectually. In addition to individual and group therapies, early life skills training that prepares them for future independence are initiated. Should a child show no signs of improving, we continue to minister to the broken and helpless. A child is never turned away. Although the children come for all over the State of Louisiana, and encompass every ethnic and socio-economic groups, they share a common experience - the emotional scars that result from abuse and exploitation. With counseling and mental health treatment, children at The Louis Infants' Center learn that they are not alone, that they are in a safe place, loved and cared for.
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