Our History
Several names, a single mission: "Strengthening families and fostering the healthy development of children"June 7, 1899 – Associated Charities
Child & Family Service began as part of Associated Charities of Honolulu, an effort to coordinate the charitable work of many agencies in the community. Giving financial “relief” was the major function. Sanford B. Dole served at the first President, and the hui included the Women’s Board of Missions, the Women’s Christian Temperance Union and the Y.M.C.A.
In the century since its founding, Child & Family Service has operated under several names. But its mission remained constant: Strengthening families and fostering the healthy development of children. Here are some historical highlights.
1921-1935: The Social Service BureauIn 1921, Associated Charities became the Social Service Bureau, and expanded its work to include prevention of poverty and advocacy for the poor.
In 1929, the work expanded again to include care for the homeless and neglected children. A new division, The Children’s Bureau, is added.
In 1935, The Children’s Bureau Division merged with he Hawaiian Humane Society. The new division is called the Children’s Service Association.
1935-1941: The Family Consultation Service
In 1935, the Congress of the United States enacted the Social Security Act, which led to the development of the public welfare system. The Social Service Bureau turned its responsibility for child neglect and financial assistance services over to the Territory of Hawaii and began offering professional counseling services. In 1937, it changed its name again – to Family Consultation Service.
1941: Child and Family Service
At the recommendation of the 1940 Honolulu Plan, the Family Consultation Service merged with the Children’s Service Association to become a single, strong entity.
The merger was complete in 1941 and the new entity was renamed Child and Family Service, the name that endures today. That year, Child and Family Service moved into a new headquarters on Beretania Street, where the State Capitol now stands.
1940, ‘50s & 60s and 70s: Exploring and meeting new needs
The newly consolidated organization devises innovative new programs to address issues such as unemployment, unwed parenthood, needs of the elderly, housing for the disabled, fathers in prison, and advocacy for protective services for abused children. In 1971, Child and Family Service pioneers group homes for troubled teens and, soon after, begins to provide shelter for abused spouses.
1980s: Child and Family Service opens Hale O Ulu, to serve teens who have trouble adjusting to the public school environment, expands to the neighbor islands, adds gerontology services, opens a center for abandoned street children in the Philippines and acquires the land for its Ewa headquarters.1984: The Child and Family Service Guild is founded. The group of community volunteers, headed by Ruthann Yamanaka, establishes the Ohana of the Year and Child’s Play fundraising events.
1990s: The Child and Family Service begins providing services for children with Autism and opens its new headquarters on Fort Weaver Road.
2001- Present: Child and Family Service continues to grow, expand and innovate. In 2004, Child and Family Service leaps into high-technology, connecting six offices on four islands through a videoconferencing network. Ultimately, Child and Family Service will use this state of the art technology to provide industry-wide training to other human services nonprofits.
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