Oesterlen Services for Youth
Lutherans founded Oesterlen Services for Youth in 1903 in Springfield.
It began as The Oesterlen Orphans’ Home, the beneficiary of a bequest to the Lutheran Church from Amelia Tritch Oesterlen, a member of First Lutheran Church, Findlay. Oesterlen’s will, written in 1902, instructed that the institution to be founded would bear her name, would be owned and operated by the Lutheran Church or its successor bodies and would be governed by a board of directors of which at least one half would be women.
In 1903, a newly formed board of directors purchased a 110-acre farm in Springfield hired a married couple as superintendent and matron, and welcomed the first children soon thereafter. In the mid-1950’s, Oesterlen became a residential mental health treatment center for emotionally, behaviorally and psychologically troubled children and youth.Today, Oesterlen offers a full range of services, including residential and outclient community services programs for children, adolescents and their families. The three Ohio synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America remain corporate members of the agency.
Volunteer opportunities for individuals and groups are available, and information about programs and ways to support Oesterlen’s work with troubled youth is available at www.Oesterlen.org.
Find out more about Oesterlen here.
