In 1888, a group of Atlanta women formed a sewing circle at the First United Methodist Church’s John Barclay Mission to mend the clothing of unhoused children. While delivering clothes one day, the women saw that families needed a safe place for their children to stay during their long work days. With this realization Sheltering Arms was born.

They women found a safe place for the children and cared for them while mothers worked. In addition, they held parent meetings, brought families together to share experiences and learn together. Today, Sheltering Arms serves up to 2,300 children and their families each year, offering learning opportunities as young as six weeks of age, and proactive support for families from GED courses to job search and housing assistance from services based in 11 centers across Atlanta.

Inspired by the spirit of Roberto Ferruzzi’s painting, Madonna of the Street, our founding mothers chose the name Sheltering Arms in 1890 for their child care work. Madonna of the Street now hangs in our downtown Atlanta headquarters. From the very beginning, our founders knew the value of supporting not only children, but the families and communities that surround them. In a sense, they were the first to recognize that to “embrace early” is to embrace a bright future for everyone who cares for a child.