1929: YEAR FOUNDED
In the late 1920s, children in the Detroit area who were abandoned, abused or alone had little hope or chance of survival.
United States Senator James Couzens felt a deep compassion for the plight of these children. In 1929, he helped establish The Children's Center, one of the first child-guidance clinics in the country.
United States Senator James Couzens felt a deep compassion for the plight of these children. In 1929, he helped establish The Children's Center, one of the first child-guidance clinics in the country.
1920s
1929 Senator James Couzens establishes The Children's Fund, later known as The Children's Center of Wayne County.
"No greater obligation rests upon the adults of a civilized nation than the application of their love for their children." Maud E. Watson, PhD leads agency as first President & CEO.
1929 Senator James Couzens establishes The Children's Fund, later known as The Children's Center of Wayne County.
"No greater obligation rests upon the adults of a civilized nation than the application of their love for their children." Maud E. Watson, PhD leads agency as first President & CEO.
1930s
1931 President Hoover names Senator Couzens Chair of National Conference on Child Welfare.
1931 President Hoover names Senator Couzens Chair of National Conference on Child Welfare.
1940s
1943 Dr. John Dorsey becomes agency President & CEO.
1948 Dr. James Cunningham becomes President & CEO.
The Children's Fund is licensed by the American Association of Psychiatric Clinics for Children.
1949 Inaugural Board of Directors is established.
1943 Dr. John Dorsey becomes agency President & CEO.
1948 Dr. James Cunningham becomes President & CEO.
The Children's Fund is licensed by the American Association of Psychiatric Clinics for Children.
1949 Inaugural Board of Directors is established.
1950s
1949-1959 Charles Brake, Dr. Irving Posner, Dr. Otto Grob, and Donald Harness serve terms as Board Chair.
1956 Dr. Huntley Comly becomes President and CEO.
Accreditation is received from American Association of Psychiatric Clinics & Psychological Association for Children.
1949-1959 Charles Brake, Dr. Irving Posner, Dr. Otto Grob, and Donald Harness serve terms as Board Chair.
1956 Dr. Huntley Comly becomes President and CEO.
Accreditation is received from American Association of Psychiatric Clinics & Psychological Association for Children.
1960s
1960-1969 Kitty Pickering, Alex Pollock, and John Matheus serve terms as Board Chair.
1968 LaMaurice Gardner, PhD, clinical psychologist, becomes the first African-American President & CEO.
1960-1969 Kitty Pickering, Alex Pollock, and John Matheus serve terms as Board Chair.
1968 LaMaurice Gardner, PhD, clinical psychologist, becomes the first African-American President & CEO.
1970s
1972-1981 Rodman Myers, Patricia Krause, George Monro, III, Alfred Reuther, Jr., Dr. Max Gardner serve terms as Board Chair.
1974 Ted Lewis named President & CEO.
1979 50th Anniversary is celebrated by hosting "The New Frontier: Inner Space in the Inner City" Conference.
1972-1981 Rodman Myers, Patricia Krause, George Monro, III, Alfred Reuther, Jr., Dr. Max Gardner serve terms as Board Chair.
1974 Ted Lewis named President & CEO.
1979 50th Anniversary is celebrated by hosting "The New Frontier: Inner Space in the Inner City" Conference.
1980s
1981-1990 Elliot Spoon, Eleanor Barnwell, Ph.D., Robert Karbel serve terms as Board Chair.
1986 Specialized Foster Care Program voted Michigan's "Innovative Program of the Year" by Michigan Federation of Child and Family Agencies.
1986 Inaugural accreditation from the National Council on Accreditation is achieved.
1986 Dedication of the original Miller Memorial Building in honor of Sarah & Nathan Miller.
1981-1990 Elliot Spoon, Eleanor Barnwell, Ph.D., Robert Karbel serve terms as Board Chair.
1986 Specialized Foster Care Program voted Michigan's "Innovative Program of the Year" by Michigan Federation of Child and Family Agencies.
1986 Inaugural accreditation from the National Council on Accreditation is achieved.
1986 Dedication of the original Miller Memorial Building in honor of Sarah & Nathan Miller.
1990s
1990-2002 Stuart Kerr, Charles Edmonson, Bettye Arrington, Ph.D., William Marsh, Louis Gauci serve terms as Board Chair.
Twice awarded Detroit's "Best Managed Nonprofit Organizations" by Crain Communications.
1992 Detroit Auto Dealers Association selects The Children's Center as a Charity Preview Partner.
1990-2002 Stuart Kerr, Charles Edmonson, Bettye Arrington, Ph.D., William Marsh, Louis Gauci serve terms as Board Chair.
Twice awarded Detroit's "Best Managed Nonprofit Organizations" by Crain Communications.
1992 Detroit Auto Dealers Association selects The Children's Center as a Charity Preview Partner.
2000s
2002-2013 Debora Matthews, Douglas Rich, Douglas Maibach, and John Dunn serve terms as Board Chair.
2003 Groundbreaking for the Paul D. Marsh Program Center
2006 Debora Matthews named President & CEO, following her term as Board Chair.
2009 Annual Lisa V. Ford Heart & Soul Volunteer Award is established.
2002-2013 Debora Matthews, Douglas Rich, Douglas Maibach, and John Dunn serve terms as Board Chair.
2003 Groundbreaking for the Paul D. Marsh Program Center
2006 Debora Matthews named President & CEO, following her term as Board Chair.
2009 Annual Lisa V. Ford Heart & Soul Volunteer Award is established.
2010s
2012 The Children's Center Head Start Academy is established in Northwest Detroit.
Ten Year Anniversary of Tau Beta Association partnership.
2013 The Children's Center launches first annual Blue Ribbon Campaign to help raise awareness for Detroit youth needing foster parents.
2014 Renee Prewitt named Board Chair.
2012 The Children's Center Head Start Academy is established in Northwest Detroit.
Ten Year Anniversary of Tau Beta Association partnership.
2013 The Children's Center launches first annual Blue Ribbon Campaign to help raise awareness for Detroit youth needing foster parents.
2014 Renee Prewitt named Board Chair.
