History
A DAY IN HISTORY - February 8, 1872: In response to the growing numbers of orphans and an increased disruption in family life during the post-Civil War period in Central NY; Charlotte Beckwith Crouse, Laura Beckwith Hutchinson, Mrs. James Watson Williams, Mary Wetmore, and members of the Trinity Episcopal Church gather together to establish an asylum for children to have a home for “the friendless, neglected and destitute children” to be called The House of the Good Shepherd.
The House of the Good Shepherd has grown and evolved into a Sanctuary Certified Institution
Members of the Trinity Episcopal Church gather together to establish an Asylum for children in Central NY, to be called The House of the Good Shepherd.
The first seven children receive care at a rented house on the corner of Blandina Street and Kossuth Avenue.
The House purchases and remodels a building located on Bleecker and East Street (Now Tilden Avenue.)
A magnificent three-story structure located at 1700 Genesee Street is built on property donated by Mr. & Mrs. Thomas R. Proctor.
The House purchases its first 8 of 27 acres, located on Champlin Avenue in Utica. The main campus starts taking shape with four cottages and a multiservice building.
Now known as Tilton School, education is provided with one classroom and one teacher.
The first of five Group Homes are established off-campus, in the local community for adolescent teens.
The Foster Care Program is launched, establishing the 1st set of Foster Homes for children.
Tilton School grows and expands special education to community children not living on campus, referred to as the Day Services Program.
A Therapeutic Foster Care Program opens in Watertown, NY, meeting the needs of foster children with emotional and social problems.
A Capital Campaign makes it possible to add 11,000 sq. Ft. for a “Developmental Wing” to Tilton School. All four cottages on campus are updated and improved.
A Residential Treatment Facility, now known as the Schafer Residence, is built on campus to provide psychiatric care to children who have a severe mental illness. The House earns agency-wide Joint Commission accreditation.
Milton Abelove Children’s Center is built to provide short-term, emergency, residential placement for children in crisis, or awaiting formal placement.
The House earns its Sanctuary Certification from the Sanctuary Institute and provides Foster Care services to all of Oneida County.
The Foster Care Program and Community-Based Services move from 133 N. Genesee Street to a newly renovated building on 17 Herkimer Road, Utica.
The MACS building undergoes a renovation to meet the standards to serve children ages 16-18 in the Juvenile Justice System, meeting NY State’s new “Raise the Age” law initiative.
The world faces the COVID-19 pandemic leaving no community left untouched. With CEO Brian McKee leading the charge, agency leaders, staff, families, and the board rally together with the community to provide uninterrupted care for children and their families.
