Childhaven

Childhaven is a nonprofit organization that serves children (0–13 years) and their families who have experienced adversity and trauma in King County, Washington, United States. The agency runs several programs: Early Learning, Counseling Services, Developmental Therapies, and Wraparound Support. Childhaven provides support through a Healing Centered Framework that embeds relational health, trauma-informed care, and social justice in all places in which children and families live, learn, and play.

The agency encompasses three branches: the Broadway Branch in First Hill, the Eli Creekmore Memorial Branch in Burien, and the Patrick L. Gogerty Branch in Auburn. In addition to other in-state organizations, agencies in South Carolina and Calgary have imitated Childhaven's model.^[1]

History

Childhaven was founded in 1909 by the Reverend Mark A. Matthews. Its original name was Seattle Day Nursery, and at the time it was one of only 50 child-care centers in the U.S. The agency's original nursery building was constructed in 1921 in Seattle's First Hill neighborhood; today, the site is home to Childhaven's Broadway Center, which was completed in 2004 thanks to the Capital Campaign, which raised $15.5 million.^[1]

In 1965 Childhaven was the first organization to bring Head Start to the west coast, providing a year-round preschool program to help prepare young children for school.

Seattle Day Nursery's name and purpose transformed following a shift in leadership that started in 1973. That year, Patrick Gogerty became the organization's executive director, and he soon changed its focus, establishing the Therapeutic Child Care Program in 1977 with 10 children. This occurred two years before Washington state made the reporting of child abuse mandatory.^[1] Under Gogerty's guidance, the agency began to garner national acclaim; in 1984, it was featured in Life magazine.^[2] The following year, Seattle Day Nursery was formally renamed Childhaven.

That same year, Congress threatened to cut off Childhaven's funding. Gogerty enlisted the help of his friend Rep. Jim McDermott, who brought the Life article to a House session and told the story of a specific child the agency had rescued. Persuaded, Congress continued to provide funding for Childhaven's work. Before Gogerty retired in March 1998, The Seattle Times published an editorial lauding his achievements; its headline was "Fighting for Kids Unable to Fight for Themselves."^[2]

Childhaven celebrated its centennial in 2009.^[3]

Notes

^ ^a ^b ^c "History of Childhaven" (Childhaven Web site); retrieved on 17 February 2009. Archived February 21, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
^ ^a ^b "Gogerty, Patrick" (HistoryLink.org); retrieved on 18 February 2009.
^ Childhaven Web site (home page); retrieved on 18 February 2009.

References

"Auburn agency giving familes [sic], kids some hope", Auburn Reporter, July 23, 2009
"Seattle Now & Then: Childhaven," DorpatSherrardLomont, June 13, 2009
"Newcastle residents Mack and Zoe Strong to be honored at Childhaven centennial luncheon April 23", The Newcastle News, March 24, 2009
"Childhaven helps grateful mother work toward reuniting her family", The Seattle Times, November 30, 2008
"Drink in spring fashion for kids at the Butterfly Tea and Fashion Show", NWsource.com, April 15, 2008
"At Childhaven, kids can overcome a tough start," The Seattle Times, Jan. 17, 2006
"Caregiving from the heart: A special embrace for the most vulnerable," The Seattle Times, Nov. 28, 2004
"Childhaven helps children heal from abuse, neglect," The Seattle Times, Jan. 20, 2004
"Childhaven nurtures children and helps parents trying to surmount rough times," The Seattle Times, Nov. 15, 2003
"Fighting For Kids Unable To Fight For Themselves", The Seattle Times, Dec. 16, 1997
"Aiding the Abused: Childhaven Alumni Fare Better 12 Years Later", The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Jan. 28, 1996^{[permanent dead link]}
"Babes in Safe Arms: Childhaven Crisis Nursery Offers Cradles of Love", The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, August 10, 1989^{[permanent dead link]}