The following are excerpts from the book, A Constant Friend: A History of the Peel Children's Aid Society by Tom Urbaniak a former president of Peel Children's Aid.

 

·        John Joseph Kelso, former newspaper journalist, formed the Toronto Children's Aid Society in 1891, devoted to provide for and protect abused, neglected and orphaned children, four years after playing a key role in the formation of the Toronto Humane Society.

·        First meeting of the Peel Children's Aid Society Board of Directors was held on April 23, 1912 at Grace United Church in Brampton, featuring some of the areas most well-known citizens.

·        Charles W. Norton, a child welfare-worker, was the first official employee of the Peel Children's Aid Society.

·        First official Peel Children's Aid Society grant was passed on June 6, 1912 by the County Council for $100.

·        Permanent children's shelter, "the Gordon Home," named after Peel Children's Aid Society President Charles D. Gordon, opened its doors in Milton on June 24, 1919 in response to the lack of foster homes in the area; provided residents with proper health care, food, and clothing.

·        In 1936, 119 children were dependent upon the Peel Children's Aid Society; 32 of which lived in the Gordon Home.

·        In response to the overwhelming need and demand of children's services, Peel and Halton CAS organizations merged on November 4, 1935; separated permanently in 1944 due to Peel County Council's desire to take on a more influential role with the Society.

·        The Gordon Home closed its doors in August 1936 due to a lack of financial and social aid; most children under its care were placed in foster homes; others sent to a home in Orillia, Ontario.

·        As of November 1936, County Council provided the Society 75 cents a day per child; the provincial grant was $1,000 a year per child.

·        In the early 1950's, poor economic and social conditions contributed to the ongoing need for growth and development of the Society's structure and services.

·        Into the late 1950's, Peel Children's Aid's office was situated on the second floor of the county court house; one telephone in operation for the entire staff.

·        In the late 1950 and early 1960's, growing economy resulted in the agency's increase in private funding; additional services to families, including single mothers, were provided; included counseling, recreational activities, and educational expenses.

·        Peel Children's Aid Society board members played a pertinent role in the amended Child Welfare Act, effective January 1, 1966.

·        In 1970, the Peel Children's Aid Society had approximately 50 employees and was considered the eighth largest jurisdiction in the province.

·        On January 1, 1974, the inauguration of the regional government in Peel resulted in the Society's name change - The Children's Aid Society of the Region of Peel.

·        In 2003, the organization moved to its current location near Mississauga Road and highway 401 in Mississauga.

·        As of 2006 there are over 175 foster families across Brampton, Caledon and Mississauga that provide homes for children under the agency's care.

·        Today, Peel Children’s Aid serves approximately 7000 families each year with 375 full and part-time staff.

 

To order a copy of A Constant Friend: A History of the Peel Children's Aid Society by Tom Urbaniak, please call (905) 363-6131 ext. 1155.