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Children\u2019s Bureau and Families First have helped shape human services in Central Indiana. Each organization\u2019s continued commitment to this work led to talks about joining forces to achieve economy of scale, provide complementary lines of service and leverage limited resources to ensure the continuation of quality services. The outcome of these meetings was a merger on April 21, 2021.
In 2022, the organizations relaunched as Firefly Children and Family Alliance. Prior to the merger of Children\u2019s Bureau and Families First, both organizations worked together for many years. Our story illustrates how social circumstances and the ideological underpinnings of caring for children and families have changed over our nearly two century-long history and underlines our commitment to meet the needs of our clients and the community.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” z_index=”99″ custom_padding=”90px||90px||true|false” custom_padding_tablet=”70px||70px||true|false” custom_padding_phone=”50px||50px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_5,3_5″ make_equal=”on” module_class=”vert_alg” _builder_version=”4.17.1″ _module_preset=”default” transform_scale_tablet=”” transform_scale_phone=”” transform_scale_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_translate=”-60px|0px” transform_translate_tablet=”0px|0px” transform_translate_phone=”0px|0px” transform_translate_last_edited=”on|tablet” transform_translate_linked=”off” transform_rotate_tablet=”” transform_rotate_phone=”” transform_rotate_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_skew_tablet=”” transform_skew_phone=”” transform_skew_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_origin_tablet=”” transform_origin_phone=”” transform_origin_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_styles_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_margin=”||60px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” transform_styles_tablet=”” transform_styles_phone=”” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/fireflyin.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/History-Shared-History-683×1024.jpg” title_text=”History-Shared History” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.17.1″ _module_preset=”default” border_width_right=”10px” border_color_right=”#8CBA45″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/fireflyin.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Asset-2.png” title_text=”Asset 2″ disabled_on=”on|on|off” _builder_version=”4.17.1″ _module_preset=”default” positioning=”absolute” position_origin_a=”bottom_left” vertical_offset=”-140px” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” header_3_font=”|800|||||||” header_3_font_size=”30px” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” header_3_font_size_tablet=”35px” header_3_font_size_phone=”30px” header_3_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
The two organizations that combined forces to become Firefly Children and Family Alliance, Children\u2019s Bureau and Families First, were two of Indiana\u2019s most established nonprofits, with roots dating back nearly two centuries.<\/p>\n
Families First began supporting and strengthening Indiana families in 1835, when it was founded as the Indianapolis Benevolent Society. And the Widows and Orphans Friends\u2019 Society, founded in 1851 as an outreach of the very same Indianapolis Benevolent Society, gave rise to the Children\u2019s Bureau.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ make_equal=”on” module_class=”vert_alg custom_row” _builder_version=”4.17.1″ _module_preset=”default” transform_scale_tablet=”” transform_scale_phone=”” transform_scale_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_translate=”60px|0px” transform_translate_tablet=”0px|0px” transform_translate_phone=”0px|0px” transform_translate_last_edited=”on|tablet” transform_translate_linked=”off” transform_rotate_tablet=”” transform_rotate_phone=”” transform_rotate_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_skew_tablet=”” transform_skew_phone=”” transform_skew_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_origin_tablet=”” transform_origin_phone=”” transform_origin_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_styles_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_margin=”||60px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” transform_styles_tablet=”” transform_styles_phone=”” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ module_class=”second-on-mobile” _builder_version=”4.17.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.1″ _module_preset=”default” header_3_font=”|800|||||||” header_3_font_size=”30px” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” header_3_font_size_tablet=”35px” header_3_font_size_phone=”30px” header_3_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.1″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]On Thanksgiving Day in 1835, a group of philanthropic citizens founded the Indianapolis Benevolent Society, an organization that would give rise to both the Children\u2019s Bureau and Families First. Its mission was \u201cto search out destitute families and afford them prompt relief.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Indianapolis Benevolent Society was the first family agency in the U.S. organized to meet the needs of individuals and families \u2014 regardless of race or religion \u2014 throughout the community. It provided food, clothing and sometimes financial assistance to supplement the limited public funds available for families in need.<\/p>\n
Its broader goal was to strengthen families and communities by helping families stay together. At the time, accepting government relief could mean sending one or more family members to an institution. Though much has changed in Indiana since those early days, the importance of family remains the same. Now, just as then, stable families offer safety, guidance, consistency and love to one another \u2014 but especially to children.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ module_class=”first-on-mobile” _builder_version=”4.17.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/fireflyin.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/History-Early-Years-1024×683.jpg” title_text=”History-Early Years” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.17.1″ _module_preset=”default” border_width_left=”10px” border_color_left=”#8CBA45″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/fireflyin.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Asset-1.png” title_text=”Asset 1″ align=”right” disabled_on=”on|on|off” _builder_version=”4.17.1″ _module_preset=”default” positioning=”absolute” position_origin_a=”bottom_right” vertical_offset=”-140px” width=”100%” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_5,3_5″ make_equal=”on” module_class=”vert_alg” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” transform_scale_tablet=”” transform_scale_phone=”” transform_scale_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_translate=”-60px|0px” transform_translate_tablet=”0px|0px” transform_translate_phone=”0px|0px” transform_translate_last_edited=”on|tablet” transform_translate_linked=”off” transform_rotate_tablet=”” transform_rotate_phone=”” transform_rotate_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_skew_tablet=”” transform_skew_phone=”” transform_skew_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_origin_tablet=”” transform_origin_phone=”” transform_origin_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_styles_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_margin=”|auto|60px|auto|false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” transform_styles_tablet=”” transform_styles_phone=”” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/fireflyin.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/History-Roots-in-the-Windows-1024×683.jpg” title_text=”History-Roots in the Windows” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.17.1″ _module_preset=”default” border_width_right=”10px” border_color_right=”#8CBA45″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/fireflyin.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Asset-2.png” title_text=”Asset 2″ disabled_on=”on|on|off” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” positioning=”absolute” position_origin_a=”bottom_left” vertical_offset=”-140px” width=”100%” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” header_3_font=”|800|||||||” header_3_font_size=”30px” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” header_3_font_size_tablet=”35px” header_3_font_size_phone=”30px” header_3_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]Children\u2019s Bureau had roots in the Widows and Orphans Friends\u2019 Society, founded in 1851 as an outreach of the Indianapolis Benevolent Society aimed at relieving \u201cthe physical, intellectual and moral wants of the widows and orphans of the city.\u201d<\/p>\n
While today this language may seem to carry notes of judgement, the mission of the Widows and Orphans Friends\u2019 Society reflected the reality of the time: women who lost their husbands were left with few economic options, and children who lost one or both parents had no social safety net to fall back on.<\/p>\n
In 1855, the Widows and Orphans Friends\u2019 Society and the Indianapolis Benevolent Society raised money to open an orphanage at Capitol Avenue and 14th Street.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ make_equal=”on” module_class=”vert_alg custom_row” _builder_version=”4.17.1″ _module_preset=”default” transform_scale_tablet=”” transform_scale_phone=”” transform_scale_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_translate=”60px|0px” transform_translate_tablet=”0px|0px” transform_translate_phone=”0px|0px” transform_translate_last_edited=”on|tablet” transform_translate_linked=”off” transform_rotate_tablet=”” transform_rotate_phone=”” transform_rotate_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_skew_tablet=”” transform_skew_phone=”” transform_skew_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_origin_tablet=”” transform_origin_phone=”” transform_origin_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_styles_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_margin=”||60px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” transform_styles_tablet=”” transform_styles_phone=”” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ module_class=”second-on-mobile” _builder_version=”4.17.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” header_3_font=”|800|||||||” header_3_font_size=”30px” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” header_3_font_size_tablet=”35px” header_3_font_size_phone=”30px” header_3_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
The decades bracketing the beginning of the 20th century saw a period of relative prosperity and growth for Indiana. The city\u2019s philanthropists renewed their efforts to help children and families at risk.<\/p>\n
By the 1930s, the Family Welfare Society no longer provided direct financial assistance, but instead worked to strengthen family life through education, counseling and mental health services.<\/p>\n
In 1934, the Children\u2019s Aid Association of the Family Welfare Society became the Children\u2019s Bureau of the Indianapolis Orphans\u2019 Asylum.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ module_class=”first-on-mobile” _builder_version=”4.17.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/fireflyin.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/History-Growth-and-Change-1024×495.jpg” title_text=”History-Growth and Change” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.17.1″ _module_preset=”default” border_width_left=”10px” border_color_left=”#8CBA45″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/fireflyin.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Asset-1.png” title_text=”Asset 1″ align=”right” disabled_on=”on|on|off” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” positioning=”absolute” position_origin_a=”bottom_right” vertical_offset=”-140px” width=”100%” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_5,3_5″ make_equal=”on” module_class=”vert_alg” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” transform_scale_tablet=”” transform_scale_phone=”” transform_scale_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_translate=”-60px|0px” transform_translate_tablet=”0px|0px” transform_translate_phone=”0px|0px” transform_translate_last_edited=”on|tablet” transform_translate_linked=”off” transform_rotate_tablet=”” transform_rotate_phone=”” transform_rotate_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_skew_tablet=”” transform_skew_phone=”” transform_skew_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_origin_tablet=”” transform_origin_phone=”” transform_origin_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_styles_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_margin=”|auto|60px|auto|false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” transform_styles_tablet=”” transform_styles_phone=”” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/fireflyin.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/History-Present-Day-1024×684.jpg” title_text=”History-Present Day” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.17.1″ _module_preset=”default” border_width_right=”10px” border_color_right=”#8CBA45″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/fireflyin.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Asset-2.png” title_text=”Asset 2″ disabled_on=”on|on|off” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” positioning=”absolute” position_origin_a=”bottom_left” vertical_offset=”-140px” width=”100%” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” header_3_font=”|800|||||||” header_3_font_size=”30px” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” header_3_font_size_tablet=”35px” header_3_font_size_phone=”30px” header_3_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
As the nature and focus of family assistance changed after World War II, the missions of these now parallel organizations changed too.<\/p>\n
The closure of the Children\u2019s Bureau\u2019s orphanage in 1941 marked its transition from a primarily public organization to a primarily private one. Finding homes for children in need via adoption and foster care would become its primary mission \u2014 with expansion including group homes, transitional living and programming for children at risk.<\/p>\n
The Family Welfare Society, which would change its name to Family Service Association of Indianapolis and eventually to Families First, shifted its focus away from relief and toward social work and counseling services aimed at strengthening families and community.<\/p>\n
Both organizations embraced a more holistic idea of family that more broadly encompasses those connected by nurture and support as well as kin. And both organizations evolved to serve a wider range of children and families in need.<\/p>\n
The places and techniques we use to serve the community have changed too. We now meet people where they are \u2014 at their homes, and in their lives \u2014 with respect for self-determination and independence.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ make_equal=”on” module_class=”vert_alg custom_row” _builder_version=”4.17.1″ _module_preset=”default” transform_scale_tablet=”” transform_scale_phone=”” transform_scale_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_translate=”60px|0px” transform_translate_tablet=”0px|0px” transform_translate_phone=”0px|0px” transform_translate_last_edited=”on|tablet” transform_translate_linked=”off” transform_rotate_tablet=”” transform_rotate_phone=”” transform_rotate_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_skew_tablet=”” transform_skew_phone=”” transform_skew_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_origin_tablet=”” transform_origin_phone=”” transform_origin_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_styles_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” transform_styles_tablet=”” transform_styles_phone=”” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ module_class=”second-on-mobile” _builder_version=”4.17.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” header_3_font=”|800|||||||” header_3_font_size=”30px” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” header_3_font_size_tablet=”35px” header_3_font_size_phone=”30px” header_3_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]In recent years, both Children\u2019s Bureau and Families First increasingly coordinated services with other public and private organizations that provide social services in the community. Yet, as in the late 1800s, the evolution of a complex web of agencies providing essential services has led to overlap in many areas, giving rise to the formation of Firefly Children and Families Alliance. <\/p>\n
Today, we are once again united as one organization. Combining our resources and expertise allows us to better serve the community by offering a more holistic approach to child abuse prevention, intervention and family preservation, youth placement and recovery services. We\u2019re now better able to coordinate and deliver services that consider the whole person \u2014 not just a set of concerns. As a result of this change, we have an even greater impact.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ module_class=”first-on-mobile” _builder_version=”4.17.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/fireflyin.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/History-Together-Again-1024×683.jpg” title_text=”History-Together Again” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.17.1″ _module_preset=”default” border_width_left=”10px” border_color_left=”#8CBA45″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
HISTORY OF FIREFLY CHILDREN AND FAMILY ALLIANCEProviding resources individuals, families and children can rely onJoining forces to better serve Indiana communitiesChildren\u2019s Bureau and Families First have helped shape human services in Central Indiana. Each organization\u2019s continued commitment to this work led to talks about joining forces to achieve economy of scale, provide complementary lines of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":68,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-132","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\n