About Group Homes for Children
Group Homes for Children is dedicated to helping our community’s children in crisis survive, succeed, and thrive. We are a private, not-for-profit corporation funded by both private and public contributions.
In 1970, a small group of concerned citizens from Tippecanoe County organized Group Homes, Inc. to provide a home for children in crisis as an alternative to institutions or detention. Their first attempt, Hartford House, was a failure. Scholer Home, named after Lafayette architect Walter Scholer, Jr., was opened in December of 1972 as an emergency shelter.
As the community’s need for long-term placement increased, Revington House, named after Betty Revington, was opened on January 15, 1978. Thompson House for boys, named after Judge Warren Thompson, was opened on November 26, 1979. The Howell Program began in 1984, named after Louise Baker Howell. Currently, Group Homes for Children is operating Scholer Home as both an emergency shelter and long-term placement for girls.
The Lafayette Chamber of Commerce honored Group Homes for Children for all their years of caring for children by giving a Marquis de Lafayette Award for community service in 1985. The prestigious Grand Marquis de Lafayette Award was presented in 1987 for 15 years of service to children of Lafayette.
Group Homes for Children is exceedingly grateful to our board members, volunteers, and donors who all typify the helping spirit that keeps Group Homes for Children a viable organization. We couldn’t do what we do without your support – thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Current staff members are:
- Jessica Smith - Executive Director
- Mady Lester Case Manger
- Maddie Swank-Brooks - Case Manager
- Susie Riley - Office Manager
- Rachel Evans - Nurse
- Shani Berrios - Nurse
House Managers:
- Angela Tate-Walton
- Sophia Gunther
- Alexis Rosenberg
- Peyton Newman
- Ashley Cooper
- Kaitlyn Chen
Board Members
- Tammy Wilson -President
- Sara Chosnek - Vice President
- Susie Eros - Treasurer
- Kathy Clark Secretary
- Dan Fischer
- Shelley Woloshuk
- Judy Glover
- Grant Fischer
- Heather Hubbard
- Deanna Wise-Frerichs
Carf Accreditation
We have received a 3-year accreditation from CARF International. This represents the highest level of accreditation that can be awarded to an organization in Child and Youth Services!