Not Just for Orphans

by Monica Hammond

The children who lived at The British Columbia Protestant Orphans’ Home were not just those who had no living parents. Single mothers and grandparents who simply were unable to provide care would bring the children to The Home. They knew that at The Home, the children would receive the care they needed.

The fledgling community in and around Victoria rallied around the children and The Home. Donations of clothing, milk, jam, fruit, vegetables, eggs, flour, firewood, books and baby bottles came regularly. (Home: pp. 43-44)

Even today, The Cridge Centre for the Family is enriched by the generous support that the community provides. We thank you for that support, which allows us in turn to support so many members of our community through our programs.

This piece is based on the work of Vernon Storey, Terry Worobetz and Henry Kennedy in their book The Home: Orphans’ Home to Family Centre: 1873 to 1998. Copies of the book are available for purchase at The Cridge Centre for the Family.