Ladies' Deborah and Child's Protectory facts for kids

Ladies' Deborah and Child's Protectory was a special place in New York City during the 1800s. It was like a day care center and an orphanage all in one. This institution helped children aged two to six years old.

It mainly cared for kids whose parents worked during the day and needed help. The children received meals and were returned to their parents in the evening. The Protectory also took in children who had been abandoned. An official document to start the charity was filed on March 5, 1878, in New York County.

The facility first opened its doors on March 24, 1878. On that day, fifty-nine young children were welcomed inside. Mrs. P.J. Joachimsen started the Ladies' Deborah and Child's Protectory. She was also the president of the Hebrew Sheltering Guardian Society of New York City.

How the Protectory Helped Kids

The Ladies' Deborah and Child's Protectory played an important role in helping families in need. It provided a safe and caring environment for young children. This allowed their parents to work and earn money for their families.

The children received nutritious meals while they were at the Protectory. This was very important for their health and growth. By offering both day care and orphanage services, the Protectory supported many families. It made sure that even abandoned children found a place of care.

Support from the City

The Protectory received financial help from the city government. In January 1880, the New York City Board of Apportionment gave the institution $1,289.43. This money came from a special fund, like taxes, to help support the children. At this time, the place was sometimes called the Ladies' Deborah Nursery and Child's Protectory.

Different Locations

Over time, the Deborah Nursery had a few locations. By March 1883, the main nursery was at 95 East Broadway. There was also a branch at 101 East Broadway. A special branch for girls was located at 423 East 83rd Street.

A person named Elbridge T. Gerry was the president of the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. He noted that these buildings needed attention from the building department for repairs. This shows that people cared about the safety of the children's homes.

Helping the Community

The Ladies' Deborah Relief Association was active even before the Protectory opened. This group worked to help people who were sick or poor. For example, on July 29, 1874, they held a special event. This event was a benefit to raise money for those in need. It took place at Bellevue Garden, near 80th Street (Manhattan).

Later, in June 1897, a property on Eagle Avenue was sold. This property had two brick buildings, one three stories tall and one four stories tall. This sale was part of a legal process.