The
Children's Center dates back to 1878 when an Island resident,
George Dealey, felt that compassionate
adults must take responsibility for the sheltering and
nurturing of parentless children. Mr. Dealey, an immigrant
and father of nine children, saw how a simple man like
himself could help. He spearheaded the opening of the
Island City Protestant Orphans Asylum in Galveston at
8th and Broadway Street. Twice moved and renamed, the
Orphans Home relocated to 1315 Moody Street in 1881.
The Great Storm of 1900 caused serious damage to the
home. Philanthropist William Randolph Hearst organized
a fund-raiser in New York City to support repair of damages.
One special guest was Samuel L. Clemens. Because the
population of the Home had changed over the years from
orphans to unwanted and neglected children, the board
of directors, in 1976, approved another name change to
The Galveston Children's Home.
Over the decades, the needs of the children changed and
expanded. The Galveston community responded with the establishment
of three additional children's programs:
The Society of Friendless Children organized and established
facilities for children in 1894. As with the Protestant
Orphan's Asylum, the great storm of 1900 caused great damage
to the home operated by the society. Philanthropist Albert
Lasker supported the establishment of new facilities, which
was subsequently dedicated as the Lasker Home for Children,
in his honor.
Albertine Yeager, an outstanding Galveston citizen and
child advocate, recognized that there continued to be many
unwanted Galveston children requiring homes and quality
care. Mrs. Yeager opened her own home to these children
in 1925, establishing the Albertine Yeager Children's Home.
In the late sixties our society began to recognize that
countless children and youth were running away from home
and greatly at risk. Galveston children and youth advocates
again responded to our own communities needs with the establishment
of the Youth Shelter of Galveston, Inc., which in 1972
opened to serve abandoned, abused and homeless youth.
In 1983, The Moody Foundation of Galveston provided leadership
in examining the needs and services for children in Galveston
County by funding a comprehensive study. In 1984, based
upon the recommendations of this study, these four pioneering
Galveston child service agencies merged to become The Children's
Center, a child welfare organization dedicated to meeting
the ongoing and future needs of less fortunate Galveston
area children, youth and their families.
