Our Story

On September 26,1912, thirteen women gathered in the home of Mrs. Otto Hitchcock to discuss the immediate need to find a home for an infant found abandoned at a local railroad station.  Quick to take action, the women formed a board, then made arrangements for the rental of a house at 947 West Seventh Street, in Erie.  Thus, Erie Infants Home and Hospital was born.  The object of the new institution was to “provide a temporary home or hospital for needy infants from birth to two years of age.”  At the time of its foundation, there was no other organization of its kind in the area.

Within three weeks of its opening, donations of money and furnishings were received to help with the cost of providing for the three babies who were then occupying the home.  The importance of the small home on West Seventh Street became clearly evident to the community, and within the first year of operation, more than 80 babies received care.

The home was incorporated in 1913.  The board purchased a house on East 26th Street in 1916, which became the student residence, and the main facility at 226 East 27th Street was built in 1927, adjacent to this property.  

By the 1950s, board members saw the need to reevaluate the role of the organization.  The home expanded its charter to care for mentally challenged children awaiting admission to Polk State School and Hospital.

Erie Infants Home and Hospital began providing educational experiences for each resident in the early 1970s.  The agency’s commitment to helping each person reach his/her highest potential was an emerging concept.  That commitment has been strengthened over the years as a variety of programs, services, and activities for its residents have been offered by the agency.  Along with this focus of helping each person reach his/her fullest potential, in 1972, the agency name was changed to Erie Infants Home.

The purchase of two group homes in the 1980s was the harbinger of the agency’s concentration on providing more home-like settings.  In 1983, another name change was needed;  Erie Infants and Youth Home properly described the residents the agency served.  The infants were growing up.

Rapid growth and change in the 1990s made it apparent that the agency had again outgrown its name.  The new name, Erie Homes for Children and Adults (EHCA), more accurately described the range of people served by the agency as well as the expanding services provided.

The progressive evolution continues into the new millennium.  EHCA has grown from a home established for the care of one individual, to an agency providing services to approximately 350 individuals. Today's mission of EHCA is to assist people with disabilities to live rich and fulfilling lives.  EHCA’s vision acknowledges that each person with a disability should have the opportunity to make choices, to contribute to his or her own daily lifestyle, to obtain the best education/training available, and to enjoy a home-like atmosphere with quality caregivers.

To provide the quality care that is offered by EHCA, the agency employs nearly 400 people.  Staffing positions include nurses, a speech therapist,  program specialists, community home coordinators, direct support professionals, program technicians, adaptive equipment technicians, a quality assurance specialist, therapeutic staff support, community technicians, respite care and doula providers.  EHCA also employs administrative, clerical and maintenance staff and depends on community volunteers.