Both the Minneapolis Catholic Boys' Home and St. Joseph's Home for Children in St. Paul were founded to address a critical need of the late 19th century: children left parentless by epidemics and other hardships of pioneer life. The nuns who staffed the homes offered motherly care to hundreds of children well into the 20th century.

The 1960s saw two important shifts. First, society turned to favor foster placement over orphanage care. The Minneapolis Catholic Boys' Home and St. Joseph's Home for Children were consolidated on the Boys' Home property under St. Joe's name.

At the same time, society saw an emerging need for treatment services for children. In 1969, St. Joe's changed its focus from orphaned children to troubled children and youth. The second floor became classrooms staffed by special education teachers and the third floor became a diagnostic center.

Today, St. Joe's operates programs for children in need of emergency shelter and with emotional and behavioral disturbances. Now, 140 years later, the "orphans of today" continue to find safety, stability and nurturing at St. Joseph's Home for Children.