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About CARE for Children
About CARE * CARE Staff * Board of Directors * CARE History * Contact Info *
CARE for Children(Consultation * Adaptation * Rehabilitation * Education) is a unique, professional, non-profit agency that provides professional services and programs to children that reside in rural northwest Pennsylvania. CARE for Children provides treatment, advocacy and education for children of all abilities. The agency believes that all children regardless of their abilities or disabilities have a right to live in dignity. All children, regardless of sex, race, creed, color or financial status, are entitled to the services CARE provides. CARE for Children has been providing services for children since 1924.
Tina M. Martin Executive Director Kimberly Engstrom, M.Ed. Preschool Director/Developmentalist Carol Schindhelm, PT Pediatric Therapy Director Valorie Coast Office Manager Kim Murphey Community Development Coordinator Jane Hartle Family Support Coordinator/Developmentalist Barry Simon, MPT Physical Therapist Ann Kane, PT Physical Therapist Sandra Mischic, DPT Physical Therapist Ashley Hendrickson, MOT-OTR/L Occupational Therapist DeAnn Persichini, COTA Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant Janice M. Stiles Preschool Aide
Joseph Yaros, President Mick Marshall, Vice President Marcia Morrison, Treasurer Deborah Price, Secretary Thomas E. Ball Philip Bauschard Karen Gelston Liza Greville Richard Kallenborn James Macfarlane Marcia Morrison Deborah Price Jim Rychcik William Todd Daniel Wertz
The History of CARE for Children
"The written history of any organization naturally begins with the circumstances of its founding. The McKean County Society for Crippled Children began as an idea held by a few men - that idea being that the welfare of physically handicapped children should not be left to chance, that an area as large as McKean County should have a formally organized body whose sole purpose was to better the lot of crippled children. Accordingly, on July 26, 1929, a group of men met in Bradford to consider founding such an organization...
Significantly, these first people to concern themselves with the needs of children with disabilities represented three groups in the county; government, the public schools and the Rotary Clubs. For the years of the Society's existence, these same three groups have continued to provide most of the guidance, support and services for children with disabilities in McKean County. At this first historic meeting in July, it was decided to proceed with a countywide society, and that membership in the society should be limited to Rotarians in McKean County. Accordingly, on August 14, 1929, the Society was officially founded...
The new Society's only tangible property consisted of a sheet of paper containing the names of 79 crippled children who needed help. There was no money in the bank, no office help, no nurse- not even a desk, a file or a typewriter. Nevertheless, at its first meeting in 1930, the new Board of Directors voted to conduct a crippled children's clinic sometime in the month of January. Dr. Arthur G. Davis, an orthopedic surgeon from Erie, was secured to conduct the clinic and perform the necessary surgery. Operations were on a very modest budget for the first year. Receipts (all from the Bradford and Kane Rotary Clubs) totaled $850.50, while expenditures were $774.17. Toward the latter part of 1930, it was realized that immediate attention must be given to raising funds. The Board of Directors invited the Port Allegany and Smethport Rotary Clubs to join in the movement and, at the same time, set up quotas for the areas outside of Bradford.
The provincial idea that Rotarians only should be members of the new organization was soon abandoned, and other civic groups were invited to participate. Individual memberships at $1.00 or more per year were authorized in 1931 and this remained the principle way of raising operating funds. Although early efforts to raise money included raffles, entertainment and home talent shows, the basic membership campaign began to emerge as the primary way of funding the Society's work. An additional source of income was developed in 1939, when memorial cards were sold, which in their first year netted almost 10% of the total budget."1
In September 1963, the Society applied for funding through the Bradford Area United Way in an effort to support the United Way concept. Just a short time later, the Society was included in the Kane Area United Way, Port Allegany United Fund and Smethport United Way (formerly Smethport Community Chest). In 1968, the McKean County Society became affiliated with the Pennsylvania Easter Seal Society. With the services, such as employee pension program, camping programs, educational programs and guidelines available through the State and National organizations, came the responsibility for name change and meeting standards. The McKean County Society for Crippled Children became the McKean County Easter Seal Society.
In 1994, however, "in order to reduce expenses, Easter Seal created districts within the state instead of maintaining the county relationship. Just prior to this districting project, the McKean County chapter had paid as much as $10,000 in annual dues to Easter Seal which reduced available benefits to the county.
At this point, the McKean County Society elected to disaffiliate with Easter Seal as did many other counties in Pennsylvania. We felt we could not survive this organizational change by Easter Seal. We reverted to our original designation as McKean County Society for Crippled Children."2 With the negative connotations of the word "crippled," it is not an appropriate term to use in the name of such an organization. In the words of one parent, "The word sounds so definite and without hope. This agency gives hope to parents! Your name should reflect that." We turned to the young people of this county for suggestions on a new name. After listening to what they had to say, we decided on a more positive and upbeat name for our agency. Each letter in the name CARE represents a service we provide: Consultation, Adaptation, Rehabilitation and Education.
In 2003 McKean County CARE for Children officially changed its name to CARE for Children to reflect the agency's ever-expanding demographics and to reflect that service is available to children in the surrounding areas.
For over 83 years, CARE for Children has been a visible presence in the community, providing continuity of services with professionals and support staff. We hope to continue to positively impact the lives of the children and families we serve.
Sources:
1 Bromely, R.B. History of McKean County Society for Crippled Children.
2 Watkins, D.R. The Bradford Era/Other Voices. 3/13/96
CARE for Children P.O. Box 616 20 Russell Boulevard Bradford, PA 16701 (814) 362-4621 Email: care@careforchildren.info
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