Baptist Children's Services

Celebrating
128 Years
of Continuous Service

	about us Welcome to the website of BCS YES! Since 1879 BCS YES! has provided a variety of services for teenagers in need. continued . . .
	programs Through group homes and emergency shelters, BCS YES! provides a continuum of care for teenagers at risk. continued . . .
	employment BCS YES! seeks dedicated, well- trained people with a strong commitment to helping neglected teenagers. continued . . .
	contribute Donations to BCS YES! have changed thousands of lives. The significance lies in changing one life at a time. Each time a teenager is helped, the cycle of abuse is broken. continued . . .

Baptist Children’s Services Changes its Name

BCS YES! Youth Empowered to Succeed, was approved by the Board of Directors, and became effective in July 2007. BCS YES! Youth Empowered to Succeed honors the Agency’s history, highlights our service to older adolescents and teens, and reflects our legal status as a non-profit, non-sectarian residential child care provider licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The following is a brief history of BCS YES!

In the beginning…

An unknown pupil in the infant class of Mary Weatherly of Immanuel Mission of the First Baptist Church quietly passed away, leaving little more than a few coins – ninety cents, in all. The coins were sorrowfully given to Miss Weatherly with the following note:

“Dear Miss Weatherly, The little coins contained in this paper are the childish treasures of one who was a pupil in the infant class under your care, but who is now, we believe, gone to be with the Lord. The objects of especial and dearest interest to this child were poor homeless children, and though of little commercial value, they are given for that purpose, and may the Lord of little children bless them in your hands.”

Miss Weatherly had long cherished the hope of helping orphaned children, and regarded the coins as a sacred legacy urging her to begin the work of providing aid to destitute children. As a result of her efforts, the Baptist Orphanage of Philadelphia was incorporated January 4, 1879.

Mid-way…

By 1963, the vast majority of children cared for at the Orphanage were emotional orphans – children from broken homes where drug abuse, poverty, abandonment and other problems made caring for children impossible for a growing number of parents. It was then that the Baptist Orphanage of Philadelphia changed its name to Baptist Children’s House, and began providing care in “cottages” rather than the institutional model formerly used. Oversight of children was charged to House Parents.

Commemorating the Agency’s Centennial anniversary, and the comprehensive social services now provided through “Group Homes” the Agency changed its name to Baptist Children’s Services in 1979.

Today’s focus…

Our name is new, but our commitment to provide quality residential care to homeless youth continues as it has for 128-consecutive years. Our sincere appreciation is extended to all who support our mission through advocacy, volunteerism, and expendable contributions and grants.

For more information on BCS YES!, please contact Cheryl H. Barber, Director of Development, at 610-879-1440 ext. 112, or by e-mail at cbarber@baptistchild.org. Thank you!