From a Courageous Act of Compassion

Founded in France in 1650, the Sisters of St. Joseph arrived in Thunder Bay in 1881, responding to the needs of a growing frontier community. What began as teaching and parish support quickly became hands-on care for the sick and injured, leading to the opening of St. Joseph's Hospital in 1884.

A Legacy of Compassion and Giving

Inspired by the mission of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Sault Ste. Marie, St. Joseph's Foundation of Thunder Bay was established in 1983 to carry forward a long tradition of community generosity and care. Building on earlier grassroots fundraising efforts that helped create St. Joseph's Heritage in the late 1970s, the Foundation formalized a shared commitment to ensuring compassionate, dignified care for generations to come. Today, thanks to the extraordinary support of donors, more than $28 million has been raised to advance this mission—strengthening healthcare and community services across our region and honouring the values that first brought the Sisters to serve those most in need.