Our History

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Our History

Founded in 1889, The Center for Families is the oldest non-profit agency in Northwest Louisiana, and a veritable cornerstone of social services in this community. Dr. William S. Penick established our organization to fill an unaddressed need in the community. Dr. Penick had seen a "young beggar girl" on the streets asking for money for food. The doctor was so very moved by this encounter that he approached Mrs. Edward Jacobs about an idea. Together they agreed thatsomething must be done in the community to help the homeless and orphaned children of our area. They rented a house on Texas Street, hired a matron and a cook, and within a few days, five children were off the streets and in residence.

Eight months after the opening of this home, Dr. Penick’s young daughter Genevieve died at the age of six. In her memory, the children’s home was named The Genevieve Orphanage. In 1892, The Home Charitable Association (a women’s club) pledged their support, and the Orphanage grew. Single parents who could not financially afford their children, often brought their children to the Genevieve Home which functioned in a foster care capacity. Many women’s groups, churches, and synagogue organizations, Caddo and Desoto Police Juries, and numerous individuals all functioned as benefactors and volunteers for the orphanage. The orphanage grew, and in 1901 a new three story building was dedicated housing several hundred children.

In 1935, when foster care became a major component, the name was changed to the Genevieve Children’s Service Bureau. Ten years later, one of the first day care centers in the area was established at the Children’s Services. In the 1950’s, family counseling services were begun, as well as the establishment of a home specifically for "wayward" children. Because of the rapidly expanding family counseling program, which was the first in this area, our name was changed in 1957 to Family Counseling and Children’s Services, Inc. In 1960, recognizing the evolution of the need for two family incomes, and recognizing the need for enhanced vital pre-school education, an additional program was added: The Genevieve Pre-School Day Care.

In 1993, our emphasis changed from individual programs and the name was amended once again to reflect that we had become, quite simply: The Center for Families. As society’s methods of dealing with social issues have changed over the years, so has our organization. This dedication to meet the shifting needs of our community has been our focal point for 119 years, and remains our dominant commitment today.