Today we honor our Founder, Helena T. Devereux, on the 121st anniversary of her birth.
It was 100 years ago that Miss Devereux began her career as a teacher in the Philadelphia Public Schools. It was then that she developed an intense and unwavering commitment to children facing barriers to learning. These children were often labeled “slow learners.” Her success with these special individuals drew the attention of school administrators, who offered her a new position in "special education." Word soon reached parents from around the country who sought her help in educating their children with special needs. Although Miss Devereux continued to teach in Philadelphia until 1918, we date the beginning of The Devereux Foundation from 1912, when she took into her home her first student, Robert Simpson, from South Carolina. We are only six years from our one hundredth Birthday!
Miss Devereux was incredibly ahead of her time. Her focus on individualized treatment and positive approaches are still part of our Philosophy of Care today. This is supported by her belief that "every child is a program" and that "[each child] must first experience success, even if this success is not academic." As I travel around the country to all our many campuses, I am amazed at how the spirit, dedication, and persistence of our Founder is reflected in each program. This spirit is evident in our full array of services, including residential, foster care, wraparound services, day programs, outpatient, case management and more. Miss Devereux would be amazed and very pleased.
Next month we will honor Miss Devereux by joining the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce in celebrating the work of the leading female entrepreneur in this region with the "Paradigm Award". Miss Devereux was surely a paradigm –
doing much of her work before women had the right to vote, she built the leading nonprofit provider of behavioral health services in the United States.
Today we honor our Founder on the anniversary of her birth, but, even more importantly, each of you honor her every day, as you continue and expand the wonderful work she started 94 years ago. Happy Founder's Day!
Bob Kreider, President & CEO
It was 100 years ago that Miss Devereux began her career as a teacher in the Philadelphia Public Schools. It was then that she developed an intense and unwavering commitment to children facing barriers to learning. These children were often labeled “slow learners.” Her success with these special individuals drew the attention of school administrators, who offered her a new position in "special education." Word soon reached parents from around the country who sought her help in educating their children with special needs. Although Miss Devereux continued to teach in Philadelphia until 1918, we date the beginning of The Devereux Foundation from 1912, when she took into her home her first student, Robert Simpson, from South Carolina. We are only six years from our one hundredth Birthday!
Miss Devereux was incredibly ahead of her time. Her focus on individualized treatment and positive approaches are still part of our Philosophy of Care today. This is supported by her belief that "every child is a program" and that "[each child] must first experience success, even if this success is not academic." As I travel around the country to all our many campuses, I am amazed at how the spirit, dedication, and persistence of our Founder is reflected in each program. This spirit is evident in our full array of services, including residential, foster care, wraparound services, day programs, outpatient, case management and more. Miss Devereux would be amazed and very pleased.
Next month we will honor Miss Devereux by joining the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce in celebrating the work of the leading female entrepreneur in this region with the "Paradigm Award". Miss Devereux was surely a paradigm –
doing much of her work before women had the right to vote, she built the leading nonprofit provider of behavioral health services in the United States.
Today we honor our Founder on the anniversary of her birth, but, even more importantly, each of you honor her every day, as you continue and expand the wonderful work she started 94 years ago. Happy Founder's Day!
Bob Kreider, President & CEO
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