Bringing families together
since 1874. Now
that’s permanency.
Our mission is one of permanency. Here, that means every single person has someone that is always there for them: a caring person, a loving adult… a supportive community. In short, when you have permanency, you have family.
At Bridges Homeward, we advocate for children, teens, and families. We help the people we serve develop healthy, permanent relationships and make sure they are living in stable, safe, and loving homes. As a result, they can build the resilience and power they need to advocate for themselves. For us, permanency is not distinct from anything we do. It is everything we do.
Five different programs. One big family.
Today, Bridges Homeward operates five different programs, each with its own permanency-focused services. We don’t offer quick fixes; we take a much more in-depth and personalized approach. Sometimes, permanency in our work means making sure a child can remain with their biological family; sometimes it means ensuring someone with a developmental disability can live with family instead of having to move to an institutional setting; and sometimes it means finding a child in foster care a forever family. Our list of success stories is 150 years long.
Our culture is one of diversity and inclusion.
At Bridges Homeward, we greatly value the diversity our staff and clients bring. By understanding the differences and perspectives of all people, we are a stronger agency and best able to fulfill our mission. Bridges Homeward stands with those who won’t settle for racism and injustice. Read more about how diversity, equity, and inclusion are part of our culture here.
Founded in1874 –
to help just eight children.
In 1874, an orphanage called the Avon Home opened its doors near Harvard Square and housed eight children who attended the nearby school. Over the next century and half, the Avon Home would evolve to become a well-known and trusted human services agency that today we call Bridges Homeward.
In 1891, the Avon Home built a second building to house forty more children.
By 1918, the Avon Home had grown to include foster care services, a therapy clinic, and a community center.
Throughout the 20th century, we expanded our education and medical care services to meet the growing needs of the Cambridge community.
In 1978, the Avon Home officially became Cambridge Family & Children’s Service.
In 2022, we changed our name to Bridges Homeward to reflect our expanding reach beyond Cambridge and our focus on building permanency.
Today, we serve over 1,300 children, teens, and families in Massachusetts every year.
Permanency means having those people in your life who will be there for you, no matter what. People who are there to celebrate your birthday, to say congratulations, to encourage you when you need it. People who are going to be there for you when things aren't so good, when you're facing challenges, when you need a little guidance. That's when permanency really makes a difference. And that's what we want for every child, adult and family we work with.
— Bob Gittens, Executive Director, 2016 - 2023
