1960 - Preparation for Life in the Community

Children still came to the Home due to family illness, death, or separation, but admittance cases involving desertion or abuse increased. By 1963 the Children’s Home had 60 children ages six to eighteen living under its care. Only two years later the Home cared for 75 children. Serving an increasingly older population, children were guided in the responsibilities of employment and budgeting. Community service was stressed, and some girls became hospital candy stripers. Memorial funds were utilized to start a library, and a student-aid fund helped those going on to higher education when a 1964 change in social welfare laws enabled the Home to continue assistance to age 21.

In 1965, the director, Mrs. Race, was named Woman of the Year by the Business and Professional Women’s Club. The Home set up an employee benefits plan and improved its hospitalization coverage in order to attract and retain capable staff members. Expenditures exceeded $250,000 in 1969.

To prepare older children to take their place in the community, the Home opened an off-campus cottage where 6 girls could live with house parents to learn homemaking and family skills. A part-time clinical psychologist and more social workers were added to the staff.