|
Crittenton Centers has been serving
Peoria and all of central Illinois since 1892.
Originally conceived as a maternity home for unwed mothers,
the agency has evolved into a multi-service, multi-million dollar
not-for-profit (501c3) child welfare organization. We serve a diverse
population of children, adolescents, young adults and parents.
Crittenton is a service provider for several code Departments of the State
of Illinois including the Illinois Department of Human Services, the
Illinois Department of Children & Family Services and the Illinois State
Board of Education.
The following serves as the agency’s historical
timeline:
In late 1800’s,
missions were established in larger cities… businesses by day, gospel
house/soup kitchen by night. The Florence Crittenton Home in Peoria
started much the same way.
1892- Home of
Blessing was built at a cost of $8,500 at the corner of Richmond and North
Sts. Mission of the home was “to care for many girls and women being ruined
through influence of evil companions in the 60 wine rooms and 300 saloons in
Peoria.”
1902-New York
businessman Charles Crittenton convinced the community of Peoria of the need
to maintain the Home of Blessings. He visited Peoria, spoke at a well
attended meeting at First Congregation Church.
The Home of Blessings board aligned with the Crittenton mission.
Early 1900’s,
churches/organizations helped to furnish rooms. Many well known
Peorians served on the board and helped with the fundraising.
WWI-The home
struggled financially with the thought of closing. Major fundraising
effort: to raise $2,000 in 1918 to keep the home open. The Home met
and exceeded the goal.
1921-Margaret
Steinbach came on the board of directors. In 1929, she was named Executive
Secretary, and later the Executive Director, serving until 1956 when she
retired. Her roles included social worker, adoption placement worker,
fundraiser and administrator. Her records and case work show much
compassion and care she showed for mothers and children.
1925-42nd
National Florence Crittenton Conference held in Peoria. Talk of the
conference-how the girls had “bad tonsils, bad teeth, flat feet or some
abnormal trouble of some sort”. Compare that to our problems today!
1936-Mrs. Ted
Page, board president, announced committee for building new home.
1937-building
started, cornerstone laid; cost of $100,000 to construct a new home in West
Peoria on Heading Ave. The building included a hospital unit complete
with a Labor and Delivery wing, recovery room and newborn nursery.
1937-56- The
home served young women at capacity or beyond. Almost all babies were
placed for adoption.
1965- The on
site hospital was closed; all deliveries were performed at Methodist Medical Center.
District 150 ran a program for mothers at the Heading facility.
1980-Crisis
Nursery opens. First such program in Illinois to provide short term care for
families in crisis to prevent child abuse and neglect. This
model program took state grant funding and lots of community support to get
established. Today, we are still considered a model program throughout
the states.
1990-Child
care center opened at McKinley school, and closed in early 2003 due to
safety issues at the building.
May 2002-Residential
program for mothers closed due to lack of referrals and funding.
October 2003-official
groundbreaking on new facility, 442 John Gwynn Jr. Ave.
March, 2004-“Time
capsule” removed from old Heading building containing a copy of the bylaws,
Bible, doorknob and doorbell from the original site of the Crittenton Home,
and a history of Crittenton written in 1933.
April 14, 2004-Staff
began the move from the Heading building to the new facility.
April 2004-Child Development Center opens the
only Second-Shift daycare in downtown Peoria.
July 2004-Ribbon
cutting ceremony to dedicate the new Crittenton Centers. Congressman
Ray LaHood, Peoria Mayor Dave Ransburg and Councilman Clyde Gulley were
present.
March 2005-Crisis Nursery celebrated it's 25th year of operation.
January 2006-Crittenton Centers
is chosen to be the hub agency for the Strengthening Families through Early
Care & Education's Peoria pilot site and learning network.
|
