History of Crittenton Center

Since its inception, Crittenton Center has evolved to meet the needs of children and families.  Today, the mission is "Crittenton Center: Fostering independence and dignity in partnership with families for more than 100 years."  Highlights of Crittenton Center history include:

1882
Charles Crittenton’s daughter, Florence, stricken with Scarlet Fever, died. Mr. Crittenton vowed to help women and children experiencing homelessness and personal crisis with no other place to go.
 

1894
Dr. Agnes Eichelberger and Police Matron Thurston began organizing a home for indigent children in Sioux City.
 

1895
Property purchased, Board of Directors organized, and the Babies’ Home Society established.
 

1896
Babies’ Home Society merged with the Women’s Home Society, expanding services to include maternity care and adoption.
 

1904
The Society received its Charter and became a member of the national Florence Crittenton Home Mission.
 

1906
Construction of the building located at 1105 – 28th Street completed.
 

1907
Florence Crittenton Home dedicated. Services expanded to include care of neglected children under the age of three.
 

1914
Construction of the Maternity Hospital, adjacent to Florence Crittenton Home completed. Services once again expanded to provide residential maternity care, labor/delivery services, and nurses training.
 

1928
Maternity Hospital sold to the Methodist Hospital for use as a Nurses’ Training School.
 

1930
The first Community Chest (now know as United Way) Fund Drive held in Sioux City, with The Florence Crittenton Home receiving a portion of the funds raised.
 

1950’s
Phased out services offered at the Maternity Hospital, eventually closing that facility.
 

1972
Emergency shelter services began for girls ages birth to 13.
 

1979
Licensed as a co-ed emergency shelter services, and expanded to serve children up to age 17. Discontinued in-patient maternity services due to the changing societal climate. Parent Survival Program began serving families facing crisis.
 

1987
Implemented Diversion & Monitoring Program to serve troubled youth.
 

1992
Changed agency name to Crittenton Center. Acquired Stella Sanford Child Development Center. Implemented the HOPES-HFI (Healthy Opportunities to Experience Success – Healthy Families Iowa).
 

1994
Began Teen Survival and After School Programs. The Family Development Center, located at 1309 Pierce Street, opened.
 

1995
Expanded social work services and began to provide Adoptive Child Studies.
 

1996
Purchased and began renovations to the facility located at 3901 Green Avenue.
 

1997
Completed renovation and moved the Emergency Shelter Care program to the Center for Shelter and Youth Development.

Initiated first-ever capital campaign - "Rays of Hope" for Shelter and Family Development properties. Expanded services to include a Pilot Visitation Project.
 

1998
Relocated Administrative and Health Services to new location at 2417 Pierce Street. Began COAR (Crisis-On-Call Assessment and Response) Program. Stella Sanford Child Development Center accredited through the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
 

1999
Agency accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Services for Families and Children Services, Inc.  Entered into preliminary alliance with Tanager Place of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
 

2000
Awarded Continuum of Care Grant to initiate Project LIFE, an independent living program for children age 18 or older aging out of shelter or foster care. Formalized alliance with Tanager Place. Westside Resource Center opened in Salvation Army building at 600 West 7th Street.
 

2001
Implemented TAPS (Transitions and Practical Solutions) Program and The Crittenton School at the Shelter on Green Avenue.

Westside Resource Center moved to it's current location at 318 West 7th Street
 

2002
Implemented TAPS (Transitions and Practical Solutions) Program in Nebraska. In partnership with Siouxland District Health & Lutheran Services in Iowa, we implemented Adolescent Family Life grant providingHOPES services to teen mothers in Woodbury County Iowa and Dakota City, Nebraska.
 

2003

Purchased and moved Administration, Maternal Health, Family and Development to our new facility located at 303 West 24th Street. Implement Minority Outreach caseworker position in partnership with Juvenile Court Services.

2004

HOPES Program was acccredited by Healthy Families America. Child Development Center's accreditaton by the National Association for the Education of Young Children was renewed.