Oakland Tribune from Oakland, California • 99

Oakland Tribune, Sunday, Feb. 19, 1961 M-5 It's Become lrs. McWad es ream The Lincoln Child Confer In a handwriting reminiscent of the "Vic-jtorian era," recorded on the yellowing pages of a musty volume, are these line: "Mrs. McWade called a Society of little girls together in the beginning of March, 1883, to work for poor children, having children for officers, being herself the director of all the work." This first entry made in 1886 in an old ledger was the initial fulfillment of a dream fostered for many years by one Rebecca S. "McWade of Oakland, founder of today's Lincoln Child Unfit Parents Incorporated in 1889 as the West Oakland Home for Destitute Children, the agency was founded with the object of aiding and sheltering abandoned and neglected -chil- -dren, orphans and youngsters whose parents were found unfit to be their custodians.

From humble beginning in a rented West Oakland cottage to its present day facilities high in the Oakland hills, this oldest of all children's agencies in the Eastbay has spanned a lifetime of service in a community which grew up around it. Through the years its name has been changed two or three times more recently to the Lincoln Child Center. It has long since moved from the old frame building it occupied at Ninth and Campbell Streets, but its character still remains one of unselfish dedication to the purpose for which it was originally founded. Historic Milestone A milestone in its history came in 1923, when it joined a handful of other agencies in the area and formed the Community Chest. Since that time it has been a participating member of both the Chest and its successor the United Crusade.

Its program today includes casework consultation with parents of guardians; foster home care; residential treatment for emotionally disturbed children; and countless other services to adults and youngsters in the interest of creating a more healthy and happy community. Last year alone the Center provided 5,577 days of care in foster homes, and some 6,368 days of care at its Lincoln Home. Its consuls tation services have even extended to clients as far east as Louisiana and Illinois and as far north as Washington. It is doubtful whether anyone today can recall the little cottage in West Oakland where the dreams of Rebecca McWade first materialized. But nevertheless she has left behind a personal memorial of her love and compassion for children.

V'ii fc--iirai i mi ri rim mr jrufnirn mn innnifi fWiniMumi mihwii mi imnwiin irin 11 nniiniiiiii')Tii)TninT'fj Mrs. McWade's "dream" around the turn of the century known then as the -West Oak'and Home "As i. I "A' ii-fKrtMiM mm.M 1 5 1 1f JtL, i Irf" i 1 1 1 i The neWlincelii Heme is a fine place ler children te rem end grow strong Orphans and negUcted children found happy haven with Mrs. McWade.