History

The Natchez Children's Home Services is the oldest residential childcare institution in Mississippi, and among the oldest continuously operating homes in the United States. 

The year was 1816-It was a time of agrarian, economic and political crisis in the Mississippi Territory.  Mississippi was not to be granted statehood until 1817.  The War of 1812 and its associated Indian battles had ended the year before, leaving many widows and orphans.  A yellow fever epidemic was soon to devastate the area. 

Early that year a group of Natchez women, recognizing a great need among the less privileged children of the district, began soliciting funds for the establishment of a "Charity School."  They had soon raised twelve hundred dollars and on March 12th, called a meeting at the home of Mrs. Samuel Davis for the purpose of organizing an association to sponsor the school. 

They called it "The Female Charitable Society" and its members were all subscribers to the fund.  That first year they chose for officers and board members the following ladies:  Mesdames Minor, Kemp, Henderson, Douglas, Overton, Smith, Kercheral, Winn, Tichenor, and Forman.  Thus the forerunner of the Natchez Children's Home Services was born.  It is an interesting fact that descendents of some of these founders frequently serve on the present day Board of Directors. 

Today members of the board are chosen from the congregations of various churches in the area.  The Natchez Children's Home Services derives its support entirely from the gifts of those interested in its Christian ministry.

The need for a home for neglected, displaced, and abused youngsters is as great today as it was in 1816.  Although Indian wars and yellow fever are no longer factors in bringing about this need, economic conditions, poverty, and family dysfunction still are.  Added to these are increased alcoholism, drug abuse, pornography, and the myriad evils of our modern society. 

One thing that remains constant and unchanging.  Those long ago founders were convinced that God's hand was in their work. This same conviction undergirds the efforts at the Natchez Children's Home Services today. The dedicated Christian staff seeks God's guidance daily in working to heal the wounds, raise the sights, uplift the spirits of today's confused, angry and hurting children. 

The Natchez Children's Home Services takes seriously the biblical command to "visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction" (James 1:27).  The success of the program at the Natchez Children's Home Services and the futures of these boys and girls depend on the prayers, hard work, and generosity of many.  Only as God continues to move people to support this ministry can it succeed in its vital work.

Timeline and Pictures of Home

University of Texas Doctoral Student's article, HOME’S FOUNDING MARKS TURNING POINT IN AMERICAN CHILD WELFARE.