The History of St. Christopher's

St. Christopher’s, Inc. was founded in 1881 by Etta Angel Wheeler – a missionary who devoted her life to helping children in need. It was her passion and call to action for these children that inspired the formation of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. After outgrowing the original structure in New York City, St. Christopher’s found a new home in Dobbs Ferry, New York in 1890. A beautiful piece of property situated on a 12 acre parcel overlooking the Hudson River. St. Christopher’s was able to provide a home and safe haven for almost one hundred (100) children on the Dobbs Ferry Campus. St. Christopher’s was once considered and still is one of the oldest (over 128 years old) and best known voluntary, non-profit, non-sectarian child care agencies St. Christopher’s was once considered one of the oldest (over 128 years old) and best known voluntary, non-profit, non-sectarian child care agencies.

Located on almost forty (40) acres of land in North Castle, New York overlooking the Kensico Reservoir, Jennie Clarkson served the needs of disadvantaged children since the late 1800’s. In the 1970’s, Jennie Clarkson first merged and was later acquired by St. Christopher’s, Inc..

St. Christopher’s was once considered one of the oldest (over 128 years old) and best known voluntary, non-profit, non-sectarian child care agencies. Since 2005, St. Christopher’s has been serving a different and more unique population of children. Currently, most of the children we serve are “students with learning and emotional disabilities.”