Dear Editor,
I wish to raise awareness about a pressing issue that has emerged in Denville, New Jersey, regarding the abrupt closure of Saint Peter’s Orphanage. This therapeutic residential facility has played a crucial role in the lives of adolescent boys in crisis for over 160 years, providing them with essential support, resources, and a sense of stability during their formative years.
Saint Peter’s operates as a nonprofit but maintains a vital contract with the New Jersey Department of Children and Families (DCF) through the Children’s System of Care. This partnership allows the orphanage to offer specialized residential treatment to vulnerable youth referred by the state, many of whom face developmental disabilities, rely on psychotropic medications, and have endured significant trauma. The services provided by Saint Peter’s are not merely beneficial; they are essential to the well-being and development of these young individuals.
On April 4, 2025, in a shocking announcement, the Board President informed staff members that the facility would cease operations effective May 1. This decision, reached without consultation with stakeholders—including staff, residents, their educational institutions, or state partners—has raised significant concerns regarding the future welfare of the boys currently residing there. An initial extension of the closure date to June 15 was granted following public outcry; however, experts have expressed that this timeline is still alarmingly inadequate. It does not allow for the necessary transition planning that is crucial for the continuity of care for the residents.
Equally troubling is the apparent lack of transparency and due diligence in exploring viable alternatives or long-term solutions to the facility’s challenges. The abrupt closure threatens to disrupt not only the residents’ therapeutic progress but also their overall stability and safety.
In light of these developments, it is imperative that the public is informed about this situation, and that the voices of those most affected—the young men residing at Saint Peter’s—are heard. A petition has been launched to garner support and raise awareness about the impact of this closure, which can be viewed here: Support the Petition.
Such a vital institution must not be left behind without a thorough consideration of its long-standing impact on the community and the vulnerable youth it serves.
Sincerely,
Deon Hickson
