In 1968, inspirational community leaders, Leona Bevis, Louise Humphrey, and Nancy Lyon Porter, shared the belief that a more cohesive approach to the problems facing families could be achieved by bringing several agencies together to form a more integrated service delivery system. This initial vision became the central tenet that guides CFC: an enduring commitment to serving families and children and fiscal responsibility through cooperation.
Due to their insight, five historic agencies joined forces in 1970 to form the Center for Human Services. This unique merger included agencies whose roots could be traced back to the 19th century: Family Service Association, the Day Nursery Association, Traveler's Aid Society, Cleveland Homemaker Service Association, and Youth Service.
In 1993, the agency’s name was changed to the Center for Families and Children (CFC) to more accurately reflect its dedicated focus. Today, CFC’s commitment endures, with our critical mission of changing lives and communities through client service, advocacy, and collective action.