Our History
Early 1970s:
- Statesville citizens, alarmed that abused and neglected Iredell County children had no safe place but jail, advocated for a better solution.
- Louise Doyle, Barbara Dearman, David Eisele, and other concerned citizens conceived the idea of a home offering safety and nurturing rather than incarceration.
November 1972:
- The non-profit organization was chartered, and funds were raised to purchase the first house, known as The Dearman Home.
- The Dearman Home opened in 1972, initially caring for five children but quickly reached full capacity due to high demand.
July 1988:
- The Doyle Home was purchased with Iredell County budget funds to address the growing need.
- The Doyle Home began operating, accommodating 12 children and youth.
May 1988:
- The Dearman Home was licensed to provide care for up to two years, transitioning from temporary 90-day placements to longer-term care to reduce disruptions and provide stability.
June 2009:
- With a 44% increase in children needing care, the Board secured a fourth location, the Koepnick Home, which opened on November 9, 2009.
- The addition of the Koepnick Home permanently expanded capacity to serve 24 children.
July 2010:
- The Doyle Home was re-licensed as a Transitional Living Home for youth aged 17 to 21, reducing its capacity to 4.
- In October 2015, a new Transitional Living Home was purchased in a safer, more family-oriented neighborhood, increasing capacity to 5 transitional youth.
