[spectre] charles loring brace

[{ brad brace }]

The Children's Aid Society was founded in 1853 by Charles Loring Brace and =
a group
of social reformers at a time when orphan asylums and almshouses were the o=
nly
"social services" available for poor and homeless children.

Brace's theory of an organization devoted to helping poor children was radi=
cal. His
progressive ideas translated into far-reaching services and reforms for poo=
r and
homeless children, working women, needy families and disabled boys and girl=
s at a
time when services for these groups were few and far between.

Educated to be a minister, Brace was determined to give children an alterna=
tive to
life in the squalid slums and teeming New York City streets. His theories w=
ere
grounded in the conviction that institutional care stunted and destroyed ch=
ildren.
According to Brace, the answers to transforming New York's orphans and stre=
et
children into self-reliant members of society were gainful work, education,=
 and a
wholesome family atmosphere.

Charles Loring Brace's work transformed the face of social services and soc=
ial
reforms in New York City and across the nation. His imprint=D1his legacy=D1=
has benefited
millions and millions of children. Of course, much has changed since his ti=
me,
including the concepts of children's rights and parental responsibility, bu=
t Brace's
imprint remains an enduring one.

The Orphan Train Movement

Between 1853 and 1929, more than 150,000 abandoned, abused and orphaned chi=
ldren
were rescued from the streets and slums of New York City and taken by train=
 to start
new lives with families on farms across the country. The emphasis was on gi=
ving
these needy children a family life.

The Victor Remer Historical Archives of The Children's Aid Society

Important historical records can be accessed via=CAThe Guide to the Records=
 of The
Children's Aid Society (1853-1947). This guide contains materials pertainin=
g to
emigration programs such as the Orphan Train, foster care and adoption prog=
rams
operating between 1853-1947, annual reports to 2006, a small collection of =
materials
from 1948-1951, and The Children's Aid Society lodging houses, industrial s=
chools,
convalescent homes, health centers and farm schools.

http://www.childrensaidsociety.org/
http://bbrace.net/bracelli.html
http://bradbrace.net/bracelli.html


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