The Worcester Children's Friend Society was established in 1848 in Worcester, Massachusetts, for the "relief, protection and education of orphans and other destitute children." The Society constituted itself with a Board of Advisers (males) and a Board of Managers (females). The officers, chosen from the Board of Managers, were responsible for the daily operation of the Society. The organization arranged for children to be apprenticed or adopted and it also established and operated and orphanage for those children who could not be placed with families. In 1902 the orphanage was closed and the Society embraced the "placing-out" system of finding foster or adoptive homes for all the children. According to the Society's records, 2400 children were assisted by the charity from 1849-1902. The Worcester Children's Friend Society is still in operation in Worcester.
From the description of Records, 1849-1921. (American Antiquarian Society). WorldCat record id: 191259862
