Brief History
The Children’s Home of Reading has reached a remarkable milestone – 125 years of caring for the needs of children in our community. Here is a brief summary of a history filled with support, hope and healing.
1884 marks the beginning of a history rich in programs and services that continually responded to the changing needs of our youth. Starting as a Day Nursery for working mothers, the Home adapted to the needs of the community when it accepted a motherless child. At that point, it started serving a dual purpose in the community as a day nursery and a temporary shelter for children.
As the home grew and changed, a Board of Directors was organized and it became incorporated in 1888 as The Home for Friendless Children. The Home continued its custodial care for the next 25 years, adding the services of a licensed nurse to that of the matron who lived on the premises and cared for the children. The Home's function and atmosphere was changing, and by 1947, the name of the Home for Friendless Children was officially changed to The Children's Home of Reading to better describe its atmosphere and purpose. By 1955, the Home began expanding its services beyond temporary shelter and custodial care to deal with more acute societal problems; those resulting from family abuse and neglect.
In 1974, The Children's Home charter was amended to meet the changing needs of the time. The function of the Home was altered to offer treatment-oriented care so that it could accommodate more children with different and more serious kinds of problems.
Today, The Children's Home of Reading continues to provide a treatment oriented residential and community-based environment for children and teenagers.
