By Hayley Robb, Building Kentucky
Maryhurst named its 46-year-old residential campus after former CEO and longtime children’s advocate, Judy Lambeth. Located off Dorsey Lane in Louisville, Maryhurst’s Lambeth Campus houses the agency’s work to provide therapeutic care to young survivors of abuse and neglect. The new campus name honors the commitment, passion and impact Lambeth has had on the state’s oldest child welfare agency and community.
“I spent the best 46 years of my life at Maryhurst,” said Lambeth. “Every child that stepped foot on this campus, every staff member that has worked at this place knows the hope and healing that happens here. To be honored in this way is extremely humbling and I feel fortunate to play a small part in Maryhurst’s next chapter.”
The agency opened its doors nearly 180 years ago when representatives from a Catholic order called Sisters of the Good Shepherd arrived in Louisville from Angers, France, and founded a shelter downtown. Since then, the now independent, non-sectarian agency has grown into a $18-million, multi-program provider of counseling, residential treatment, community-based transitional living services and aftercare.
Lambeth began at Maryhurst as a student intern in 1974 and held various therapeutic and administrative roles at the agency before becoming CEO in 1990. At the time, the agency had 75 employees and just launched Kentucky’s first private therapeutic foster care services program.
By the time Lambeth retired in 2020, Maryhurst had more than 300 employees, instituted trauma-informed care and launched its outpatient counseling services, now known as Maryhurst Renewal. Throughout her time as CEO, Lambeth collaborated with agency leaders to create or evolve many of the organization’s current programs.
“This year, we have made incredible progress in advocating for our children impacted by abuse and trauma,” said Paula Garner, Maryhurst’s current CEO. “And it all started with Judy’s commitment and dedication to the thousands of families and children impacted every year. This residential campus is a reminder of her legacy and reason to continue fighting for more resources, funding and support for our children.”
Lambeth and Garner were joined by community leaders and partners to celebrate the official designation, including chair of Maryhurst’s board of directors, Lisa Manning, wife of former Kentucky Lieutenant Governor Madeline Abramson and Louisville Urban League’s CEO and President Sadiqa Reynolds.
The Lambeth Campus announcement comes during Child Abuse Prevention Month and builds on several recent milestones at Maryhurst. During the 2022 legislative session, Maryhurst’s worked with elected officials to help pass significant investments in the child welfare system, including increased payments to agencies who care for youth in residential settings.
Maryhurst currently serves more than 700 children and families annually from across the state. To learn more about its services and programs, visit maryhurst.org.
