Foundling hospitals, also known as orphanages, care for abandoned, abused or neglected children. They were established during times of social upheaval and still exist today, providing childcare services such as adoption, foster care, and family care. Some historical examples include the London Foundling Hospital and the New York Foundling Hospital. Modern children’s hospitals may partner with government agencies and offer various programs to address the needs of children.
A foundling hospital is an institution that cares for abandoned, abused or neglected children and is sometimes called an orphanage. “Found” usually refers to a child who has been abandoned by his parents, often left in a public place, with no way of finding out who the parents are. While the term “hospital” usually describes an organization that provides nursing care to the sick, it was also used in the past to refer to places that provided food and shelter to the poor. In 2011, a children’s hospital can be an orphanage or community-based agency that provides child care services, including adoption, foster care, and family care. There are a few foundling hospitals that still exist, but most have dropped the word hospital from their names.
Historically many foundling hospitals were created to rescue children, some of which continue to serve the needs of children today. The London Foundling Hospital was founded by philanthropist Thomas Coram in 1739 to care for abandoned children found on the streets of London. In 1869, the New York Foundling Hospital was created by Sister Mary Fitzgibbon and the Sisters of Charity to care for the large number of children abandoned in the aftermath of the Civil War. These organizations still provide childcare services today under different names. Both have changed their focus over the years to better serve the needs of today’s children.
Many of these orphanages were established during war, famine or other times of great social upheaval which resulted in many abandoned children. In particularly troubled times, foundlings were left in train stations, at gates and sometimes on the streets. Foundling hospitals were born out of an overwhelming need to shelter these children. Many were set up by ordinary citizens, nuns or philanthropists.
Even though social problems have changed over time, there are still children around the world who are abandoned, abused or homeless. If they weren’t abandoned, they could have been born in homes or neighborhoods where drugs and violence are commonplace. A children’s hospital may partner with government agencies, offer single mother support, foster care, adoption, and day care. Other programs may focus on child abuse prevention, education, or addressing the medical, economic, and psychiatric needs of children.
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