Our Mission: To assist people with disabilities to live rich and fulfilling lives.
Our Vision
Each person with a disability should have the opportunity to make choices, to contribute to his or her own daily lifestyle, to obtain the best education or training available, and to enjoy a home-like atmosphere with quality caregivers.
Our Values
- Care
We respect everyone as unique and inspiring people and provide them with the high quality, individualized care they deserve because they are like family to us. - Determination
We believe in getting the job done. We deliver on our mission because our clients and the community depend on us. - Trustworthiness
Trust is earned every day. We do it by being accessible and following through on our promises. When we give our best, our community gives back to us. - Proactive Stance
As we grow, lives and outcomes change constantly. We invest in our services to provide the best environments for our clients and employees.
EHCA's Proud History
On September 26, 1912, a group of 13 forward-thinking women gathered in the home of Henrietta Hitchcock to discuss the pressing need to find a home for an infant found abandoned at Union Station. In a matter of hours, they became the founding and driving force of what would become Erie Homes for Children and Adults.
They formed a board of directors, rented a house at 947 West 7th Street, and hired a nurse and house mother. Erie Infants Home and Hospital's goal was to "provide a temporary home or hospital for needy infants from birth to two years of age." The community donated money and furnishings and, within a year, 80 babies received care.
EIHH incorporated in 1913, continued to grow, and purchased homes on West 11th Street and then East 26th Street. During World War I, they cared for many children whose families were unable to provide for them.
A new home/hospital was built next door in 1927 and remains our main site. The East 26th Street house became a residence for nurses. By the 1950s, board members wanted to adapt to changing needs and expanded to care for intellectually challenged children awaiting admission to Polk State School and Hospital.
We began providing educational experiences for residents in the 1970s. This commitment to helping each person reach their highest potential was an emerging concept. In 1972, our name changed to Erie Infants Home.
In the 1980s, EIH purchased two houses for residential care - demonstrating the vision of providing home-like settings. By 1983, another name change was needed. Erie Infants and Youth Home more accurately described the residents the agency served as the infants were growing up!
Another name change followed in the 1990s to keep up with rapid growth and change. Erie Homes for Children and Adults (EHCA) better reflected the range of people served by the agency as well as the expanded services provided.
The progressive spirit of EHCA’s founders continues today. EHCA offers programs in three Pennsylvania counties and provides supports to over 400 individuals and their families through 20 community homes and variety of community-based programs every day.
