In 1952, The Charity Guild, along with a group of community leaders, organized the Children’s Rehabilitative Services (CRS) to serve and support abused children in Broward County. At the time there was no place for these children to receive the help they needed. The Charity Guild raised money for the CRS to support the treatment facility that provided a safe, caring environment for these children, ages 8 to 15, to live in, as well as give them the support services they needed.

By the end 1958, this facility had closed. The CRS knew there was still a need in the community for a safe place for abused children. Late in 1959, they began to look for a house that would serve as a group care center. They wanted to create a warm, loving and secure home environment with foster parents, where six to ten children would live and receive the support and services they needed.

The first child came to live in the house on August 15, 1960. A second house was established in 1967. The residences were named the ‘Twig House’ inspired by the lines of Alexander Pope – “This education forms the common mind – Just as the twig is bent, the tree’s inclined.” The CRS changed it’s name to the Twig House in 1984.

The Charity Guild continued it’s support of the Twig Houses’ when they merged with Outreach Broward, which served emotionally challenged children as well. Then, in 1999, Kids In Distress (KID) purchased the Twig House’s and The Charity Guild still supports KID to this day.

In 1991, The Charity Guild decided to choose a second children’s charity to support in addition toKID. After extensive research, The Children’s Diagnostic & Treatment Center (CDTC) was chosen. They serve medically fragile children and their families in Broward County.

In 1952, our charter members created The Charity Guild to help children in our community. We are proud to be continuing this mission, 60 years later.

We are still an all volunteer organization of women, many of whom work, who are dedicated to the ideals of The Charity Guild and continuing its’ mission. There are even some second generation members, all working hard to support, serve and care for the children and families in our community who need it the most.