HCAS CENTENNIAL TOP 100 FACTS

  1. 1885 In early April of 1895, Letters of Incorporation were sent to J.J. Kelso in Toronto with the request that the Humane Society be approved as a Children’s Aid Society with the powers of the Gibson Act (Act to Protect Children).
  2. May 28, 1907 A meeting was held and a motion made to form a Branch of Children’s Aid Society in the area. The following officers were appointed:
    • Honourable President Sir MacKenzie Bowell
    • President Judge G.E. Deroche
    • Secretary Charles H. Emerson
    • Treasurer William MacIntosh
    • Honourary Solicitor W.C. Mikel
  3. June 1, 1907 A meeting was held and a decision was made to incorporate the Society. The declaration was made in front of Judge Fralick, Junior Judge of the County of Hastings by the Honourable Sir MacKenzie Bowell, His Honour Judge G.E. Deroche, Charles H. Emerson, William MacIntosh and W.C. Mikel. Incorporation was obtained and local churches were invited to nominate one man and one woman from their congregations to sit on the Board of Management.
  4. June 27, 1907 The Board of Management met and appointed a Board of local citizens and accepted a Constitution based upon “Laws Affecting Children” 1904.
    Mr. A.E. Checker was nominated and appointed to the position of Executive Officer. The Society indicated it could not fix his remuneration but that he would eventually be remunerated.
    A bank account was opened and efforts began to obtain funding from the City and County of Hastings.
  5. Feb. 24, 1908 An emergency meeting of the Board of Management was held to reappoint Mr. A.E. Checker as Executive Officer for the Society at a salary of $50 per month, plus traveling expenses. Mr. Checker was reappointed and charged with looking after the interests of Society in any part of the County.
  6. 1909 The Belleville Children’s Aid Society was fully operational and the executive officer, Herbert Wrightmeyer began to investigate neglect cases in Belleville, Hastings County and Prince Edward County.
  7. 1909 The old isolation hospital on Moira Street (formally Yeoman farm house) was donated by the city to use as a Shelter. The Chairman of the Board, Mr. Ritchie, purchased a cow in order to provide milk for the children at the Shelter.
  8. 1910 Mr. Canniff, a member of the Board, reported that he would be able to secure a first rate typewriter for $45.00. The matter was about to be laid over for future consideration when Miss Yeoman offered to pay the first $10.00. Before the end of the meeting $30.00 had been raised. At the following meeting, Mr. Ritchie contributed $15.00. The last typewriter purchased by the Society in 1986 cost $1,500.00.
  9. 1914 A government inspector condemned the shelter. As a result, a shelter committee was formed to look at other options.
  10. March 1, 1915 The Shelter Location Committee reported it had purchased the property from the Hospital Board at $1,800 and as well, had purchased another lot, west of that transferred to the Hospital Board, for a like amount. The Treasurer was authorized to negotiate a loan to pay for the new Shelter location purchase.
  11. Feb. 7, 1916 At a regular Society meeting, it was moved by Mr. Wrightmeyer and seconded by Captain Ruston that the Children’s Aid Society of Belleville and the Children’s Aid Society of the County of Hastings be united for working purposes. The motion was carried.
  12. 1916 Mr. Wrightmeyer resigned after six years of service as he was needed in the Salvation Army. The vacancy was filled by Thomas Ruston. He was paid $1,000 per year in 1916. He was superintendent until 1948, when ill health forced him to resign.
  13. 1917 The new shelter at 243 Dundas Street East (near the Belleville General Hospital) was opened in January 1917.
  14. 1917-1918 In July of 1917 Mr. and Mrs. Ruston moved into the Shelter. The problem of insufficient staff forced them to resign in October, 1918. However, Mr. Ruston continued in the capacity of Agent and his salary was increased to $85 per month.
  15. 1922 At Christmas, the Society campaigned to raise $5,000 needed to cover its deficit.
  16. 1927 A permanent children’s summer camp was established in Rednersville—children from the shelter in Belleville, as well as other underprivileged children from all over the county attended.
  17. 1929 A number of children in the Shelter had to be boarded out because of a diphtheria outbreak.
  18. 1931 Twenty-eight applications for wards were considered, with twenty-four being accepted by the child welfare committee for a placement.
  19. August 30, 1933 The Society was officially incorporated.
  20. Mar. 12, 1935 At a meeting on March 12, it was moved by Mrs. McFee and seconded by Mrs. Lent that part-time stenographic help, in view of the increased work, be given to Superintendent, Mr. Ruston.
  21. January 1936 Rev. Payne gave notice of motion to be brought before the next meeting of the following changes to be made in the constitution: that membership of Society officers be amended to include two representatives from City Council of Belleville, two representatives from County Council, two representatives from the Town of Trenton and that the end of fiscal year be changed to March 31.
  22. 1936 Children were now being boarded out. A maximum of three staff stayed at the Shelter when there were 30 children in residence.
  23. Apr. 20, 1937 At the 35th annual meeting it was noted by Thos. D. Ruston, Superintendent, that “…there were approximately 935 office interviews and 1450 telephone calls during the year; also approximately 1460 letters received and 1500 miles in the dispatch of duties.”
  24. 1938 There were 215 children in the care of the Society, with 65 of them placed in boarding homes.
  25. January 1939 The shelter was closed and ”the Shelter property was sold to the hospital in July, 1938, the proceeds invested in trust funds.”
  26. 1939 “Bright commodious offices” were secured over the Walker Hardware Store on Front Street in Belleville.
  27. 1939 Mr. Ruston was looking after between 250 and 270 children, while administrating the Unmarried Parent’s Act on his own unpaid time.
  28. 1940 Increasing demands from the Provincial Department of Welfare with regards to write-ups, histories, records and case filing began to place a strain on the administrative end of the Society.
  29. 1941 There was a considerable increase in the number of children made wards, which overtaxed the receiving home and made it necessary to secure out a second home.
  30. March 1942 There were five staff members: a superintendent, two assistants, and two clerical workers.
  31. 1944 A receiving home was established in 1944 on Trent Road where children who were made wards could stay before being placed in boarding homes.
  32. 1944 There were 52 Children’s Aid Societies in Ontario alone, but only 42 in the rest of Canada.
  33. 1944 The Montreal Council of Social Agencies prepared a Children’s Charter which was quoted in the 1944 HCAS Annual General Meeting as follows:
    A Child Requires:
    1. A home where it is wanted and loved.
    2. Adequate family income, decent housing in good surroundings, nourishing food, suitable clothes.
    3. Good health by providing medical, dental and mental health services.
    4. Opportunities for spiritual growth and the development of sound values in preparation for responsible citizenship.
    5. Wholesome play in the home and community.
    6. Proper educational facilities.
    7. Employment when he is ready at suitable work.
  34. 1945 The Baby Bonus was unveiled (later known as Family Allowance). Parents with children under 16 received between $5 and $8 per month.
  35. 1948 In1948, the office space was too small, with insufficient light. Mr. Charles Hyde, President of the Board, with the consent of the Executive Committee, purchased a brick building on the southwest corner of West Moira and Everett Streets.
  36. 1948 On orders from his doctor, Thomas Ruston reluctantly resigned after 34 years as Superintendent. The Board felt duty bound to provide a suitable retirement allowance. He passed away on January 12, 1951
  37. 1949 Mr. Lockyer was requested by the Board to accept the position of Superintendent. Mr. Lockyer’s first concern was to procure the services of more qualified social workers to properly take care of ever increasing demands in all parts of the constituency. According to government standards the Society was understaffed and required four more workers.
  38. 1949 Tag Days were held to increase funding and the Children’s Aid Society was a member of the Community Chest.
  39. 1950 A Juvenile and Family Court was established in Belleville and Hastings County, employing a judge, deputy judge, probation officer and court clerk. This addition was of great assistance to the Society.
  40. 1951 The Provincial Department of Welfare was contributing $1000 per year to the Society’s operations. The County of Hastings, City of Belleville and Town of Trenton were contributing $700, $300 and $100, respectively.
  41. Feb. 15, 1954 Mr. Bruce M. Kerr was appointed Local Director.
  42. 1955 The staff was increased to nine social workers, three clerical and one bookkeeper. Money was allocated for a worker in the County. The Agency continued to grow.
  43. 1958 The Society opened its own group home at 73 Highland Avenue. The home served as a receiving center for several youngsters as well as a treatment group home for 6-8 others.
  44. 1961 An agreement was made with the County of Hastings and the City of Belleville to cover prevention and family counselling services.
  45. 1961 The Executive Director, Bruce Kerr, expressed concern that in 1961 in the County it cost $5.17 per day to maintain a person in the local jail but only $2.53 was provided to maintain a child in the care of the Children’s Aid Society.
  46. 1962 A Continuing Education Fund was set up to encourage, receive and perpetuate the gifts of those wanting to aid former Crown Wards of the Society. Funds from the Belleville United Appeal were used for prevention work in the City of Belleville.
  47. 1962 The Society began providing School Attendance Counselling Services to the Bay of Quinte District High School Board.
  48. 1962 The Society made its final payment on the Residence at 73 Highland Ave. in Belleville. Since its opening in 1958, more than 500 children had been given shelter.
  49. 1962 St. Patrick’s College of the University of Ottawa approved the Agency for field placements.
  50. 1963 Regular psychiatric consultation with a local psychiatrist was arranged for clients and psychometric testing was arranged for children. Paediatric services were also set up through two local specialists.
  51. 1963 An Adoption Program was set up to meet the needs of children for permanency planning.
  52. 1964 The Society promoted the establishment of a full-time mental health clinic, and supported the establishment of a Health Unit for Hastings County and the administration of social/public welfare at a County rather than township or municipal level.
  53. 1965 The Society promoted the establishment of a Family Counselling Service in the community. To inaugurate this program the Society and the City of Belleville each provided a grant of $5,000.
  54. 1965 A new interview office was set up in Trenton, serving the town and the communities of Middleton Park, Batawa and Frankford.
  55. 1965 The Society decided to open an office in North Hastings and began seeking suitable office space.
  56. 1968 The Society moved to 311 Front Street, Belleville, leasing the second and third floors of the property for a period of five years for the sum of $20,000.00 per year.
  57. 1971 1971 was the busiest year on record since the Society was founded in 1895. In December, there were 155 children in care.
  58. 1973 As the Society prepared its financial estimates for the year, it was decided that the group home at 123 Victoria Ave., Belleville which had been operating for five years, should be closed in a few months time.
  59. 1973/74 Scott Orfald joined the agency in 1973 as Department Head of Family Services R. Larry MacDonald joined as Department Head of Children’s Services in 1974.
  60. 1974 There were approximately 20 staff and 2 supervisors employed by the Society. The annual budget was $680,000.
  61. 1974 Delia Potter, longtime Housemother at CAS Residence, was honoured by the Board for her contributions to the Society.
  62. 1974 A separate Adoption Program was set up. Demand for infants exceeded available children. As a result, a moratorium on applications from couples to adopt babies was put in place.
  63. 1975 A professional telephone answering service was established to deal with after hours, weekend and holiday emergencies.
  64. 1978 The new Children’s Services Branch of the Ministry of Community and Social Services began to inundate the Society with guidelines, surveys and policy and position papers.
  65. 1978 The Wilma McKnight Scholarship was established in memory of Wilma McKnight, a former Board Member to commemorate the International Year of the Child. The scholarship represents a monetary amount to be awarded to a child/adolescent in our care for each of the following categories:
    1. To a child graduating from public school to secondary school
    2. To an adolescent graduating from secondary school
    3. To an adolescent with special needs graduating from a developmentally challenged program.
  66. 1970’s Foster parents were paid on a three category rate structure: $1.00 per day for infants and toddlers thru to 5 years, $1.25 per day for children 6-12 years and $1.50 per day for teens. Special rates were available for certain types of need and behaviour, adding an additional 25 to 50 cents per day. Clothing and incidental costs were covered by the Society. For a period of time the Agency operated its own clothes cupboard providing new clothing for those admitted to care.
  67. 1979 The unionized staff in the Society, previously represented by the Federation of Community Agency Staffs, changed over to Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE).
  68. 1979 Andre Bergeron was appointed Executive Director. He left the Society in 1980.
  69. 1981 The Evelyn Payton Memorial Achievement Award was established by the Board of Directors of HCAS and the Union representing the staff of the Agency. Evelyn Payton was a most respected and effective social worker and supervisor for this Agency who made a significant contribution to her clients, fellow employees and our community. She died in 1978. The award of a plaque and $150 seeks to recognize: "A student of a publicly funded secondary school in the County of Hastings whose social and academic achievement is to be commended."
  70. May 1981 Mr. R. Larry MacDonald was hired by the Board of Directors as Executive Director, after a second term as Acting Director. He retired in July of 1999 after 26 years of service.
  71. September 1983 A second headstone was dedicated at Belleville Cemetery on a new plot purchased to meet the Society’s future needs. There are presently 44 children buried in the Society’s two plots.
  72. 1985 Construction started on the new headquarters for the Society at 363 Dundas Street West. Prominent provincial and local dignitaries participated in the ceremonial sod turning.
  73. 1985 A manual entitled “Child Abuse Resources for Educators” was developed by the Society, Hastings and Prince Edward School Boards, local police, OPP and Prince Edward CAS, and published.
  74. April 14, 1987 Official opening of the Society’s new premises at 363 Dundas Street West, Belleville, completing a long process to provide adequate and suitable office space for staff. The Honorable John Sweeney, Minister of Community and Social Services officially opened the new building.
  75. 1987 Federal legislation in the form of Bill C15, An Act to Amend the Criminal Code and the Canada Evidence Act came into force. It contained much needed legislation for dealing with child sexual abuse.
  76. 1988 A new Night Duty system was put in place to meet the increased demands on the Society.
  77. 1989 An on-site supervisor was hired for the North Hastings office.
  78. 1989 A new Child and Family Services Act and the Young Offender’s Act came into place.
  79. October 1989 A dedication ceremony was held when a metal sculpture of the Society’s logo was unveiled by Bayside Secondary School Students at 363 Dundas Street West.
  80. October 26, 1989 The first agreement was signed between the Society and the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte defining the division of responsibility for family and children’s services with regards to the Tyendinaga Mohawk Nation.
  81. February 1, 1990 The Society partnered with Lennox and Addington Family and Children’s Services to hire the first shared In-House Legal Counsel.
  82. October 1990 The Society opened a 10 bed co-ed residential treatment home at 371 Dundas Street West, Belleville next door to its head office at 363 Dundas Street West.
  83. October 1990 The new North Hastings office at 16 Billa Street in Bancroft was officially opened.
  84. May 28, 1991 The Society’s fundraising arm, the Quinte Regional Children’s Foundation was incorporated.
  85. September 1993 A “Child Abuse Protocol” was signed between the Society, police services in Hastings County and the Crown Attorney.
  86. May 25, 1995 The Board of Directors approved a memorial award to recognize the contributions of the late Dr. Clare Brant. The award recognizes a young person at the Residence who has endeavoured to overcome negative factors in his past to improve academically. It should be seen as not only recognizing academic effort but also encouraging the young person to continue his academic studies.
  87. 1997 The Province assumed full responsibility for the funding of Children’s Aid Societies. Prior to this the split was 80-20 with the Province of Ontario funding 80% of an approved budget and three municipalities, Belleville, Trenton and Hastings County sharing the remaining 20% based on population and use of the system.
  88. 2000 There were many changes for the Society including advances in computer technology, the integration of the Risk Assessment Model, a new administrative structure and the hiring of a new Executive Director—P. Leonard Kennedy on February 1, 2000.
  89. February 1, 2000 P. Leonard Kennedy was hired as Executive Director
  90. June 14, 2000 The Society by-laws were amended to reduce the size of the Board from 21 members to 15.
  91. December 12, 2000 The Society celebrated the official opening of its new offices in at 469 Dundas Street West in Trenton.
  92. February 8, 2001 The Society began the year by changing its name from the Children’s Aid Society of the City of Belleville, County of Hastings and the City of Trenton to the Hastings Children's Aid Society.
  93. 2001 After the municipal boundaries were changed in the late 1990’s, the former Murray Township became a Ward of the new City of Quinte West. At that time, the CAS boundaries were not changed so that the people of Murray Ward were served by the Northumberland CAS. In cooperation with the Quinte West City Council, Hastings CAS petitioned the Ministry to change the CAS service areas to reflect the new municipal boundaries. They were officially changed on October 1, 2001.
  94. June 22, 2001 The Society introduced the first Annual Youth Achievement Awards Night, sponsored by the Quinte Regional Children’s Foundation and supported by several other child and youth serving agencies. Over $8,500 in bursaries and prize money was awarded to youth in recognition of their significant achievements in education, sports, arts and other fields.
  95. Spring 2003 The Board committed to develop a Strategic Plan. The Society commissioned a Demographic Review of Hastings County through the Community Development Council of Quinte. The final document included:
    • A review of the Society’s vision, mission and values statements; and,
    • The views of our many community partners.
  96. 2004-2005 The Residential Treatment Program was relocated to a more suitable location in Thurlow Ward.
  97. 2004-2005 The Society signed a protocol with its Developmental Service Partners to provide early planning for developmentally handicapped youth in care to ensure their seamless transition to adult services.
  98. 2005-2006 One of the Society’s biggest accomplishments was the implementation of the P.R.I.D.E. (Parent Resources for Information, Development & Education) Pre-service Training Program in South and North Hastings. The P.R.I.D.E. model is competency-based and designed to recruit, develop and retain families capable of providing long-term supportive foster and adoptive care for today’s child-in-care population.
  99. June 14, 2006 The first HCAS Outstanding Leadership in Child Welfare Award was presented to the Developmental Services Committee.
  100. June 14, 2006 The Society launched its new visual identity including new colours, logo and tag line: “Care, Advocacy, Support” at its annual meeting.