Lincoln Child Center enables vulnerable and emotionally troubled children and their families to lead independent and fulfilling lives.
 

 
 
   
  All children deserve to be loved and cared for; they deserve a chance to enjoy life, strive for success and grow up as a part of their community. The children who come to Lincoln Child Center, often abused and neglected, have lived through physical and emotional traumas that have taken their young lives in very different directions. Lincoln Child Center helps children between the ages of six and fourteen work through their emotional problems, recover from their painful experiences and learn how to build a foundation for a bright and successful future.  
 

When Lincoln Child Center opened in 1883, the children who passed through our doors were orphans or the children of parents who could no longer provide for them. Over 100 years later, we are still leading the way in serving the needs of our most vulnerable citizens. The definition of “family” and the dynamics of the household may have changed, but the children who come to us still feel the same – angry, alone, frightened and broken-hearted.
Many troubled children are estranged from their parents and are without permanent homes. Others are removed from their homes for their own safety. For these children, LCC becomes their temporary family and home. Our residential program provides structured care and counseling along with a sense of belonging to enable the children to return to their own homes or foster care. One of our priorities at Lincoln is to keep children in their families’ care. Therefore, we have expanded our service into the community with prevention and early intervention programs for at-risk children. All of our programs and support systems are designed to encourage positive life choices, improve self-confidence, promote healthy development and strengthen the family.

Strong families raise children who know how to function in their homes, schools and neighborhoods, making communities safe for everyone. We firmly believe families are an integral part of the recovery of a troubled child. To that end, we strive to empower parents and relatives with the tools and life skills they need to take a strong and positive role in their child’s life. An investment in our children is an investment in our community. Please join us in our efforts to help every child feel loved and cared for, and to help troubled and vulnerable children become healthy and successful individuals.


lex is typical of the many children at Lincoln Child Center . He was seven years old when he was placed in foster care. His mother loved him dearly, but after a bitter divorce and a nervous breakdown, she could no longer care for her only child. She thought foster care would give him the stable, nurturing environment he deserved. She never imagined the troubled path Alex's life would take over the next seven years.

Alex moved in and out of foster homes. He grew up troubled, angry and severely assertive, lashing out verbally and physically at those around him. Separation from his mother was only part of the equation. Alex was also suffering undiagnosed and untreated learning disabilities and ADHD, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. He needed professional help.

When he was ten years old, Alex was placed in a San Francisco residential treatment facility for troubled children. The prognosis was not good: his disruptive and violent behavior was leading him toward long-term institutionalization. During these years, Alex's mother, Béba, stayed in contact with him, though it was a strained relationship. Then, she recalled, "a miracle happened." Alex was transferred to Lincoln Child Center .

"When Alex came to us two years ago, he was extremely combative. The slightest difficulty would cause him to lash out at his peers and at staff," said Alex's therapist, Rai Ghosh, who has worked with troubled children at Lincoln Child Center for eight years. "Alex had more or less given up on himself and everyone around him."

Today, Alex is a hard-working, energetic 14-year-old, with a pleasant, kind-hearted nature that he shares with his family and friends. The loving and spirited boy that was buried beneath anger and resentment emerged. "We connected with Alex and formed strong relationships with him," said Rai. "He's a bright child who listens to adults he trusts. His rapport with the staff is a big part of his recovery."
 

 

Now living only five days a week on campus and spending weekends at home, Alex has extensive care and counseling tailored to his individual needs. "The greatest change I've seen in Alex is his self-confidence," said Rai. "It has improved to the point that he believes in himself and believes he is capable of succeeding. As his self-esteem has flourished, his violent nature has greatly diminished and his class work has significantly improved. He recognizes that he doesn't want his temper to control his life."

“The people at Lincoln took the time to get to know Alex, to see where he needs help, and to see his potential," said Béba, who looks forward to the day, just around the corner, when Alex can be in her life fulltime. "And I believe they saved him."

Though there will be bumps and curves on their shared path of life, with the help of Lincoln Child Center, Alex and Béba are learning to negotiate those obstacles with medical treatment, counseling, open communication, "and just giving each other the space to be who we are."

Béba and Alex are grateful to Lincoln Child Center for their second chance at a life together. “Before, everything was an argument; we were like two lions in a cage, always fighting,” said Béba. “Now, you’d have to say, we’re like two peas in a pod.”