The History of The Children's Home of Reading

The Children's Home of Reading was established in 1884 as a day nursery for working mothers and was located at 237 Franklin Street in Reading.  A widow and five children were placed there. When a motherless child was accepted on a full-time basis, the Home exhibited a trait that would characterize it throughout its history - adaptability to meet the needs of the community. And so, although it had originally been intended to serve as a day nursery, the Home served a dual purpose in the community as both a temporary shelter for children and a day nursery.

As the home began to grow and change, it needed guidance and direction. The first Board of Directors was organized in 1886; members were drawn from throughout Reading and Berks County. In 1888, the Board decided to erect a building on Centre Avenue and Spring Streets because of the increasing number of children residing in the Home. The "Home For Friendless Children" was incorporated at that time as a privately-owned, charitable organization. As the years passed and more children came through its doors, the Home built two identical annexes in 1903 and 1906 respectively. These annexes were the gift of Mr. William D. Smith, a prominent iron manufacturer and member of the Board of Directors.

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.

The 1960's and 1970's offered even more transitions and changes. During this time, new buildings were constructed and new programs were implemented. The Home began to expand its programs to offer treatment oriented care rather than custodial care. The Board of Directors amended The Children's Home Charter in 1974 to expand its function and accommodate more children with different and more serious kinds of problems such as abuse, neglect, truancy, and drug abuse.

Today, The Children's Home of Reading continues to provide a treatment oriented residential environment for children and teenagers. Its broad spectrum of services includes an Acute Partial Hospitalization program, an Alternative Education program, a case management program for chemically addicted moms and their babies, a CHOR Day Academy, community based services, a Residential Treatment Facility, a Specialized Foster Care program, and a Specialized Residential Treatment Facility.

The programs at The Children's Home of Reading have expanded and grown, and its facilities have changed, but one basic element remains the same - the offering of 125 years of quality care to children.