Our History
Stanford Home for Children was founded in 1900 when the Stanford family mansion in Sacramento was put into trust by Jane Lathrop Stanford. Established in the memory of her deceased son, Leland Stanford, Jr., Stanford Home was first an orphanage for the "children of California". The Sisters of Mercy operated the home and administered its programs for over thirty years, followed by the Sisters of Social Service for another six decades. Stanford Home provided many different services over the years, such as day care for the children of women working during World War II, but the welfare of children was always at the core of its services. Stanford Home moved from the mansion in the mid-1980's.
Subsequently, the State of California purchased and rehabilitated the mansion which is now in use as both the State's diplomatic and business reception center and as an elegant State museum. [Rehabilitation of Leland Stanford Mansion Article - Department of Water Resources]
Today Stanford Home provides a wide variety of community-based, family-centered services for approximately 1,500 children and family members annually. What began as a simple orphanage has become a comprehensive array of services for "at-risk" children and families. They receive professional treatment and compassionate care to help them regain self-confidence, overcome challenges and move towards independence.
Stanford Home serves children, young people and their families who are challenged by needs that exceed usual resources. The boys and girls are of all races, creeds and economic backgrounds. Each arrives with a different, but painful, set of experiences that have had a negative impact on their schooling, emotional well-being and their ability to interact with adults and peers.
Now well over 100 years old, Stanford Home continues with our exciting mission to strengthen children and families to define their own dreams, overcome their challenges and move into a thriving future together. As long as there are children and families at risk or in trouble, there will be a need for Stanford Home.