Our History
A Thanksgiving dinner in 1872 for 180 newsboys and bootblacks focused attention
on the ragged urchins roving Buffalo's streets and led to the formation of the Buffalo
City Children's Aid Society in January 1873. The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty
to Children was incorporated in Buffalo in 1876 and the Erie County S.P.C.C. in
1877. Such societies were authorized by New York State Law in 1875 to investigate
and prosecute wrongs done to children. The two local S.P.C.C.s merged in 1879. Mutual
concern for children and similarity of purposes led to the merger of Children's
Aid and S.P.C.C. of Erie County in 1916.
The Family Service Society, originally established as the Charity Organization Society
in 1877, was the first city-wide charitable organization in the United States. As
emphasis changed to service to families, the agency was instrumental in forming
the Family Service Association of America and hosted its first meeting. Nationally
and locally it has helped to develop the trend in the field of family services from
emphasis on providing relief, to professional counseling on family relationships.
Throughout its history, the Society has been instrumental in establishing new health
and welfare agencies in response to community need. The history of many of those
serving today is intertwined with that of the Family Service Society.
These two pioneer social agencies in Buffalo took part in the formation of the first
joint fund raising effort in 1917, Joint Charities (United Fund) and the creation
of the Council of Social Agencies (Research and Planning Council) in 1922. They
have had a tremendous influence in the development of social work as a professional
service. Their first paid staff members worked more as "agents" checking on financial
need or investigating reports of child neglect. As their understanding of the causes
of poverty and child neglect developed, their services changed to offer treatment
through trained social workers. Both agencies were instrumental in 1926 in having
the University of Buffalo include more courses in social work subjects, and the
establishment of the School of Social Work as a graduate school in 1936.
Both agencies, through the years, have worked closely with public agencies, often
"lending" their executives and other staff members to governmental agencies. They
have consistently supported legislation designed to improve family life and the
welfare of children, and have helped to create new agencies, both public and private.
Their rich history reflects significant contribution in services, in leadership
and in cooperation with others in more adequately meeting the social needs of the
community.
Both societies had essentially the same goal; that children might grow up to be
healthy, happy and useful citizens.
The Family Service Society directed its attention to better family life in the belief
that a true democracy is fashioned by the individual citizens of which it is composed
and that the individual citizen is responsible or irresponsible according to his
experience in the family unit.
The Children's Aid Society has been concerned with defending the rights of children
to the opportunity to become responsible citizens, protecting them from abuse, neglect
and exploitation, and providing care for those whose families were unable to do
so.
Both societies have recognized the importance of wholesome family life, the importance
of community conditions which make it possible, and the need for leadership in bringing
about change when conditions were destructive to their goals.
The history of each society, and their predecessors, is replete with firsts in services,
community action and dedication of volunteers and staff. The roster of volunteer
leadership includes names well-known in the history of Buffalo, and their professional
staff members have been honored by the community for their contributions. Volunteers
include: Ansley Wilcox, George P. Sawyer, Maria M. Love, Millard Fillmore, William
Pryor Letchworth, Millard S. Burns, Dexter P. Rumsey and Mrs. Helen Thornton Campbell.
Professional staff members who contributed so much to the progress of the agencies
and social work included: Conrad Mainecke, Douglas P. Falconer and Miss Marguerite
Gane, for the Children's Aid Society, and Frederick Almy, David C. Adie, Mrs. Anna
B. Fox and Archie W. Swanson for the Family Service Society.
The societies were waging a war on poverty and defending civil rights almost 100
years before these became popular causes. Their record of accomplishment is too
lengthy for a short summary.