Profile: Patrick Gogerty

Patrick Gogerty grew up the angry child of an alcoholic father who beat him and a fortune-teller mother who parked him in foster care. This is the story of how he used political skill and high-level connections, hitched to his single-minded conviction, to build the state's premier organization for treating the youngest victims of abuse and neglect.

Read the full story.

The History of Childhaven

A century of caring for children

Since 1909, Childhaven has been a safe and nurturing place for children. From our earliest days as one of Seattle’s first child care centers for working mothers to our position today as a national leader in caring for abused and neglected children, we’ve healed old hurts, nurtured young lives and empowered families to break the cycle of abuse and neglect and create lifelong loving relationships.

1909—Seattle Day Nursery is founded by Rev. Mark Matthews in the basement of Seattle’s First Presbyterian Church for the children of mothers “forced” to work to care for their families. Fees are based on ability to pay and range between a nickel and a quarter a day. Community members support operations by donating food and volunteering their time to watch over children.

1911—Seattle Day Nursery Association is incorporated and purchases the old Kenny home at 302 Broadway to serve as the child care center.

1921—A new nursery building is erected on Seattle’s First Hill. Childhaven’s Broadway Center now occupies the same location.

1925 - The first branch centers open in the Eastlake neighborhood and West Seattle.