THE CHILDREN'S HOME OF POUGHKEEPSIE IS ONE OF THE OLDEST CHILD WELFARE AGENCIES IN THE NATION. ON JANUARY 21, 1847, A GROUP OF POUGHKEEPSIE WOMEN MET TO FORM THE FEMALE GUARDIAN SOCIETY TO CARE FOR THE POOR, ABANDONED AND NEGLECTED IN THEIR COMMUNITIES, MOST ESPECIALLY THE CHILDREN. THEIR BELIEF WAS THAT EVERY CHILD DESERVES A NURTURING AND CARING ENVIRONMENT.HAVING DECIDED THAT "THE ONLY TRUE WAY TO ARREST THE EVILS OF POVERTY AND CRIME WOULD BE TO SAVE THE CHILDREN," THE WOMEN CHANGED THE NAME OF THEIR ORGANIZATION TO THE POUGHKEEPSIE GUARDIAN SOCIETY FOR THE POUGHKEEPSIE ORPHAN HOME AND HOME FOR THE FRIENDLESS. ON APRIL 15, 1852 A STATE CHARTER WAS OBTAINED AND THE SOCIETY BECAME INCORPORATED.