Children's agency celebrates 115th anniversary

DANVILLE – Over its 115 years of caring for children in need in the Danville community, a Danville agency has gone from a home where children stayed full time to a home for programs serving babies through teens.

The Center for Children's Services will honor its long history with a showcase of local talent at 7 p.m. Saturday in the Danville High School auditorium. The event is free, but donations will be accepted.

In 1893, Viola Slusser kept 16 children at her home on Warrington Avenue. The following year, a board was formed and by-laws established for an organization to "alleviate the conditions of destitute or dependent children, caring for them in the Home and securing them homes in Christian families when and where suitable opportunities are offered," according to an informal history.

By 1896, 15 children had moved to a leased house at the corner of Logan Avenue and Williams Street, with plans to construct a proper building nearby. The new facility opened, debt-free, at 702 N. Logan Ave., the center's current location.

Over the years, the house was burned beyond use, but gradually more buildings were added to accommodate the number of children needing a home. In the last construction project in 1962, the two-story addition behind the northernmost building was taken down to one story and the central office area was built – paid for by a fund drive that raised the entire $345,000 needed.

Gradually, the agency moved from housing children to serving their needs in other ways. A shortage of money and the evolving needs of the community's children warranted the move to providing programs.

Ed Michaels came to Danville in 1999 as the clinical director and took over as the center's director and CEO in 2003.

"There's been a burst of changes since then," Michaels said. "Five out of seven programs doubled in size and funding went from $2 million to $4 million. Two years ago, over half of what we did was new.

"Last June, when money got so tight," Michaels added, "we had to drop subsidizing the early learning center program. That left space available. When something like that happens, we take a look at unmet community needs and see if we can get funding for a new program. We are continuously having to reinvent ourselves."

The center is now using the early learning center space for an intensive outpatient program for violent, depressed and high-risk children.

"We are serving patients between the ages of 7 and 17 and their families," Michaels said.

Some misconceptions have arisen since the closing of the early learning center.

"A lot of people don't think we have small children here any more," said Mimi Barnes, youth and family support program director. "We have babies and small children here all the time. Whether they are with a parent in GED classes or involved in family counseling or the Teen Moms or Teen Dads or other programs, small children are still being served."

Young people are also getting a head start on career paths through programs like Cafe on the Lawn as well as landscaping and carpentry trades at the center and off-site, hands-on locations.

"There are people who have stayed invested in helping children through the transitions the center has had to make over the years," Michaels said. "There are descendants of the original concept that are still involved. They are kind to us by donating their time and financial support."

The end is nowhere in sight.

"There will always be emerging needs, such as infant mental health, that will require a program with qualified personnel running it," Barnes said. "Whether we work with the very young or young parents or parents with young children, we will be trying to create those programs and secure the funding for the services that make their lives better."

 

If you go

The Center for Children's Services will celebrate its 115th anniversary at 7 p.m. Saturday in the Danville High School auditorium, 202 E. Fairchild St.

A history of the center will be presented, along with a showcase of local talent. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted.

For information call 446-1300.

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