The Mission of Friendship House is to provide a continuum of quality programs and services designed to enhance the emotional, behavioral and social well-being of children and families in the communities we serve. Adapting to society's ever-changing needs will enable Friendship House to sustain this mission as it has since its founding in 1871.
Friendship House was founded in 1871 by a small group of benevolent local women. They founded "The Society for the Home for the Friendless Women and Children of the City of Scranton." Many of the "friendless" were widows and orphans of the Civil War. Through its first 90 years, Friendship House was mainly an orphanage, "taking under its care homeless children and securing good homes for them."
In 1960, the organization changed its focus from solely caring for dependent and neglected children, to providing mental health services for children with emotional difficulties in day and residential programs.
Today, well into its second century, Friendship House continues to grow and change in order to be able to address children's needs in our ever-changing society.
Friendship House offers a full range of programs and services for children and families who are experiencing emotional and behavioral difficulties, those who have been traumatized by loss, abuse and neglect, who have witnessed violence, and those with autism spectrum disorders. Services are provided for children, from infants to teens, with programs throughout Northeast and Southeast Pennsylvania. Friendship House programs are child-centered, family-focused and incorporate a systemic approach to helping through the Sanctuary® model of trauma-informed care.
To learn more about Sanctuary®, visit www.sanctuaryweb.com
