Sycamores

For over 120 years Sycamores has been committed to helping children, families, and adults have a better life. We provide help during some of the most challenging times in their life. With an unconditional, whatever-it-takes approach, we provide care and support throughout Southern California, through an array of services that matter most when kids, adults and families need help.

On July 1, 2021, we officially changed the agency name to Sycamores from our previous name, Hathaway-Sycamores Child and Family Services.

Hathaway-Sycamores Child and Family Services resulted from the merger of Hathaway Children & Family Services and The Sycamores in 2005. Each organization brought with it roots reaching back many decades.

The Sycamores’ rich history began in 1902 when Fannie Rowland – a civic-minded, caring resident of Pasadena – founded the City of Roses’ first orphanage. Originally named the Pasadena Children’s Training Society, the orphanage was housed in a two-story, Craftsman bungalow at the corner of Wilson Avenue and Del Mar Boulevard. As Southern California’s child-welfare system grew, so too did The Sycamores. In 1967, the agency opened a residential treatment center in Altadena – a therapeutic home away from home where severely challenged youngsters could receive nurturing, healing care.

Hathaway Children & Family Services has an equally storied history. The agency was established in Los Angeles in 1919 as the Kiddie Koop orphanage. In 1928 Kiddie Koop moved to an almost two-acre site in Highland Park, which still serves as one of our sites.

Today, Sycamores stands tall in the child-welfare arena, providing innovative and effective programs and services through a network of locations throughout Southern California. Our highly effective behavioral health services impact nearly 17,000 lives annually.

We invite you to watch a short video with some of the highlights from Sycamores’ 120-Year History.

Sycamores is licensed by the Community Care Licensing Division of the California Department of Social Services, certified by the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, LAHSA funded and accredited through The Joint Commission.