Our History
On September 26, 1912, thirteen women gathered in the home of Mrs. Otto Hitchcock to discuss the immediate need to find a home for an infant found abandoned at a local railroad station. Quick to take action, the women formed a board, then made arrangements for the rental of a house at 947 West Seventh Street. Thus, Erie Infants Home and Hospital was born.
The object of the new institution was to "provide a temporary home or hospital for needy infants from birth to two years of age." At the time of its foundation, there was no other organization of its kind in the area. Within three weeks of its opening, donations of money and furnishings were received to help with the cost of providing for the three babies who were then occupying the home. The importance of the small home on West Seventh Street became clearly evident to the community having provided care for over 80 babies during the first year of operation.
The Home was incorporated in 1913. The Board purchased a house on East 26th Street in 1916 which became the student residence, and the present main facility on East 27th Street was built in 1927, adjacent to the property.
By the 1950s, board members saw the need to re-evaluate the role of the organization. The Home expanded its charter to care for children with developmental disabilities awaiting admission to Polk State School and Hospital.
Erie Infants Home and Hospital began providing educational experiences for each resident in early 1970. The agency's commitment to helping each person reach his/her highest potential was an emerging concept. That commitment has been strengthened over the years as a variety of programs, services, and activities for its residents has been explored by the agency. Along with the focus of helping each person reach his/her best potential, in 1973, the agency name was changed to Erie Infants Home.
The purchase of two group homes in the 1980s was the harbinger of the agency's concentration on providing more home-like settings.
Rapid growth and change in the 1990s make it apparent that the agency had again outgrown its name. The new name, Erie Homes for Children and Adults, more accurately described the range of people served by the agency as well as the expanding services provided.
The progressive evolution continues into the new millenium. EHCA has grown from a home established for the care of one individual, to provide services to residents in 16 group homes, as well as to participants in our newer in-home program including Options, Family Living, and Project First Step. No matter how much our agency grows and changes, however, the purpose has remained the same: to provide quality care while remaining sensitive to the ever changing needs of those with developmental disabilities.