Our History begins in 1897 with Mary Wessels and two boys. A post card addressed to a friend seems to be the only record of the actual inception of the Home. It reads, "I have begun my work. I have two boys, ages 6 and 7."

But there would be more! In a tragedy of fate, a fire destroyed a local orphanage. Mary Wessels opened her home and heart to more than a dozen children. These children were alone in the world. Some were orphaned. Some were victims of cruel circumstances that made it impossible for their own parents and relatives to care for them. But with Mary Wessels, they had safety, food, and most importantly, someone who cared - just for them.

As more and more children in need found Hephzibah, the home grew crowded. Mary knew the children, and those yet to come, needed more room to play, to study, to do chores, in other words, to be children.

Mary used a small inheritance to buy this house at 332 Lake Street in 1907, giving her more room to grow.

Now the mission of Hephzibah House was flourishing. Neighbors, merchants and others donated food, clothing, whatever they could spare. Hephzibah had found its place in the community - and the community responded generously. Here's an early report on this partnership.

"Much is done for these little ones, a large percentage of whom come into the home undernourished, with enlarged tonsils, adenoids, neglected teeth, rickets and the ills resulting from those conditions. . .with doctors and scientific feeding and care it would be strange if these children did not respond."

Hephzibah, the "...home with a heart..." continued to thrive. An early report stated that "...54 children, each with his own bed, lived at the home in that year, with an average of 19 children at a time.' The report also issued the first of many annual appeals for support, "Coal is needed for the coming winter."

Christmas holidays seemed endless at the Home, with countless individuals and groups bringing gifts, parties complete with Santa, food, clothing and much joy to the children.

By the late 1920's, the expansion needs of Hephzibah continued. In this photo, young Robert Spernader turns the first shovelful of earth and construction followed immediately.

The new building was designed in the dormitory model to serve more than 40 children. The first floor efficiently contained the kitchen, dining and living rooms. Two large dormitory rooms on the second floor were adaptable to the number of children needing shelter.

Board meeting minutes of June, 1929 record every detail of this project. Joseph Guy, the building contractor, reported final construction costs of $81,670 were $200 less than the originally contracted price."

The history of Hephzibah is a tribute to the love and concern of the Village residents for children - without families, without homes - but blessed with the caring embrace of an entire community. This is demonstrated most dramatically during the depression.

In an Annual Report in the 1930's, the Superintendent noted, "My report this year is one of happiness in the Home. What could be happier than a group of healthy children in a beautiful home with rooms and toys of their very own?"

"In addition, the children have gained 180 pounds since the first of last September. This is an average of five pounds each."

"When at 8 o'clock each morning forty-four happy children troop into the dining room with shining morning faces, we feel that much has been accomplished."

During the tumultuous 30's and 40's, children came to Hephzibah as a result of many different needs. Some came because of a family in crisis. However, most were dependent children from broken homes. For some, even though both parents worked, they could not afford the basic necessities for their children.

During World War II, many Hephzibah children needed shelter while their fathers were off at war.

Times change but the dreams and needs of children are enduring. Long standing traditions at Hephzibah make it a home to those who have lived here.

Santa provided gifts in brown bags, a tradition many children who lived at the Home still remember.

Day care at Hephzibah was a new, and sometimes controversial program in the 1970's. This home-like day care provided a need for children in Oak Park. Today, over 600 families are provided a comprehensive program of after-school care and a full-day summer camp for children in Kindergarten through fifth grade.

In cooperation with the Oak Park public school system, day care is available at Hephzibah and all eight elementary schools.

By 1981, the Board and professional staff at Hephzibah recognized a growing need for families in crisis. This resulted in the opening of short term foster care. Through a local network of loving families, Hephzibah now provides care for young children in these local homes,

While the children are receiving foster care, Hephzibah staff works with families, the court and various community resources. The goal is to reunite the family, whenever possible, while developing a permanent plan for the care and safety of children.

The history of Hephzibah reflects our society's regard for children. Mary Wessels saw children abandoned with no hope of experiencing the love and care only a family can give. But she convinced a community that these were not throw-away children. She invited an entire community to embrace these children so they could grow healthy, discover self-esteem and pursue their dreams of life.

From that simple mission "...to provide safety and care to society's most vulnerable children" wonderful works were accomplished. It took generations of people willing to give of themselves to accomplish grand goals . . . children eagerly learning and graduating . . . children malnourished became robust . . . families in crisis finding support and acceptance.

Did you or someone you know once live at Hephzibah Home? We are searching for former residents. Please give us a call at 708-649-7100 or send us an e-mail!