[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 48 (Thursday, March 22, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E420]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       CHILDREN'S SERVICE CENTER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. LOU BARLETTA

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 22, 2012

  Mr. BARLETTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the Children's Service 
Center, which will celebrate its 150th anniversary on April 11, 2012. 
The Children's Service Center has been serving families of the Wyoming 
Valley in Northeastern Pennsylvania since it was incorporated on April 
11, 1862, to create a sanctuary in order to provide shelter, food, and 
instruction to a number of underprivileged children in the Wyoming 
Valley.
  The Children's Service Center was originally called The Home for 
Friendless Children. As its programs grew and developed, it became a 
nationally renowned shelter and educational center for infants and 
children. By 1929, the Home for Friendless Children had become the 
Children's Home. As time went on, it appeared the children needed more 
than a shelter--they needed a home. Two cottages were built, the Martha 
Bennet Home and the Children's Home, and they became the first two open 
psychiatric residential settings for children in North America. During 
this time, the Martha Bennet Estate and Children's Home Foundation 
requested that a newly formed organization called the Children's 
Service Center become established in order to manage the residential 
program. The creation of the Children's Service Center occurred in 
1938.
  As a mental health care system, the Children's Service Center is 
deeply committed to the wellness of young people in our community. 
Their services are designed to meet the individual needs of children, 
adolescents, and their families. Children's Service Center assessment, 
crisis, and referral services are working 24 hours a day, seven days a 
week, to help these children lead a better lifestyle.
  Mr. Speaker, today, Children's Service Center stands as ray of hope 
for young people in the Wyoming Valley of Pennsylvania. I commend this 
agency for its 150 years of dedicated service to our children, to 
community, and to country.

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