About

Our Mission

We promote healing, hope, and empowerment through education and comprehensive physical and mental health services. Our focus is on maternal health and support for girls in foster care.

Our History

Crittenton was established by Charlotte civic religious leaders in 1903 after an article was published detailing the suicide of a single, pregnant 16-year-old. A group of concerned citizens joined forces to provide a place of safety and understanding, rather than condemnation and shame for single, pregnant women.

Philanthropist Charles Crittenton donated funds and requested that the program be named in memory of his daughter, Florence, who died of scarlet fever at the age of four. While starting with a focus on helping young women and girls who had become pregnant out of wedlock, Crittenton has evolved significantly through the years to address the needs of a multicultural population.

Women and adolescents at Crittenton have experienced abuse and trauma (i.e. homelessness, sexual abuse, emotional disturbance, substance and alcohol use disorder, neglect or incarcerated family members) and Crittenton works to mitigate the long-term negative impacts of these experiences. Case management, access to health care, counseling, educational and vocational support, pregnancy prevention, substance use disorder education and establishing healthy relationships are among the services provided by Crittenton.

In 2003, local philanthropist Sarah Belk Gambrell made it possible for Crittenton to extend its services to parenting girls and young women in foster care. Sarah’s House now helps six young women and their children with the same social services offered in its maternity and prevention programs, along with services specifically geared toward parenting and raising healthy children.

In 2011, Crittenton began its Independent Living Program, Legacy Hall, for young women in foster care with a focus on the development of independent living skills and being self-sufficient.

In 2020 Crittenton moved to the West Boulevard Corridor to a new state-of-the-art facility, designed specifically for Crittenton’s needs and our growing client base of women and girls facing cycles of trauma and abuse.

Over its 120-year history, Crittenton has helped more than 45,000 young mothers, teens and children in the Charlotte area create better lives for themselves and their families.