Holly Hill Child & Family Services: Hope and Healing

By Mary Casey-Sturk

Since it was chartered in 1884, Holly Hill Child & Family Services has provided care for area children. Originally founded as the Campbell County Protestant Orphan’s Home (Newport), it housed children whose parents were ill, had died, or could not care for them. 

As health care improved, its mission pivoted to help meet the needs of children who had been deserted. Relocating to Cold Spring in 1952, it became Holly Hill Children’s Home. Since then, programs have continued to evolve, away from the traditional orphanage model, to focus on “societal” orphans.  In 1987, Holly Hill was licensed as a residential treatment facility for children who suffer from severe emotional and behavioral problems. Many of these children have been physically or sexually abused. In 1990, the Home relocated to a rural setting in California, Kentucky, transitioning to becoming an all-girls facility. It is the oldest and only agency in Northern Kentucky that specializes in the treatment of adolescent girls in a residential setting.

More programs were added in the 1990s including Therapy Services, Case Management, and Supervised Visitation. With these programs, a new name evolved, and it became Holly Hill Child & Family Services.

New Realities 

Fort Thomas Living Magazine spoke with Chief Executive Officer, James Sherry on the urgent societal issues Holly Hill is addressing now. 

“We’re focused on the future, we’re in the midst of a comprehensive transformation” states Sherry. “We’ve been through a process. About a year ago, we worked for 6 months setting out a 10-year strategy. Collaboration and partnerships have helped us survive for 140 years and thrive. We’ve doubled down on what we do, helping the most vulnerable kids in our community.”

“I want to share as part of the transformation that we’ve pivoted to support victims of childhood sexual exploitation and trafficking.  We’re specializing in helping girls who have been victims of this.” Sherry continues, “It’s a terrible thing that this need exists, but we’re in the middle of “writing the book” on how to care for these kids. It’s only been in the last ten years that our community has become aware of the program. Even the state workers didn’t have a “check box” for these situations. It’s a growing issue.”

“It was just before I got here (2.5 years ago) that Holly Hill began specializing in this work. We take the kids within the parameters of what we do and help them. We have the unbelievable privilege of seeing the kids who come to us during the most difficult times of their lives and witness our physicians and team wrap around them for a period of (several) months and provide all they need. Family therapy, group therapy, or whatever they need. We prepare them for their success after they are with us. “

Hope and Healing

Recognizing the growing need for resources to assist Holly Hill’s work, the state of Kentucky awarded the nonprofit $6.5 million in 2024. This allocation provides much-needed funding and momentum as Holly Hill embarks on a $13.5 million comprehensive plan to enhance and modernize its operations. This included expanding and updating their facilities in Highland Heights and California. Technological upgrades, the introduction of new treatment methods, and the implementation of agency-wide staff training initiatives.  There has been financial support from local entities as well including cities and counties who back their work. 

This funding is key to addressing the growing need for adolescent girls in their care and the impact will be measured for decades. 

The journey to healing for these girls can take anywhere from 3-12 months. Some of the girls in Holly Hill’s care are significantly challenging, many need to learn to trust again and to heal from the wounds that aren’t visible. The more people who know about these stories, the more help the community can offer.

Sherry adds, “It’s such amazing work our team does with these kids.”

There is also a need for foster homes in Kentucky. According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation, in 2021, 8,332 children were in foster care, that’s a rate of 8.2 per 1,000. As children age out of the foster care system, they need support as well. 

“There are only 145 foster homes in the state, the ratio of homes to children is challenging” shares Megan Mitchell, Holly Hill’s Special Projects Manager.

Mitchell adds, “There are a lot of people who just say, they didn’t know this was an issue. Now we’re on this journey and using a wider and public lens to show the issues.”

The community supports Holly Hill with financial donations, attending events (such as their annual Golf Outing), and in 2024, a Fort Thomas resident stepped up to recondition bikes for the girls to use on campus. To provide fun, exercise, and that sense of adventure every kid deserves. 

“Collaboration and partnerships are at the core of what we do. Northern Kentucky is great with this” shares Sherry.

Holly Hill is honored to be considered the model for the future of residential care in Kentucky. “I’m so proud of this, it’s validation and confirmation” shares Sherry. “When a child needs us, we are there with the services they need.” More investments in psychiatric care, medical care, recreational activities and more are happening. 

There are happy moments: hugs from the kids, excitement for the first day of school, and the smiles on the girls taking off like rockets on their bikes. There’s a woman who was once a client, coming back to work for Holly Hill. To help the girls, because she’s been there.

“There is still a sense of joy and hope, the resiliency of these kids can blow you out of the water sometimes.” Mitchell continues, “The joy is going to outweigh the horror, but if we don’t get help to them soon, that may not happen.” 

“Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.”- Desmond Tutu 

For more information about Holly Hill Child and Family Services, visit www.hollyhill-ky.org.

Pictured: James Sherry and Megan Mitchell of Holly Hill Child and Family Services. Image by Mary Casey-Sturk