Charity Organization Society

The Charity Organization Society was established in December 1877 and incorporated in November 1879. Establishment of the C.O.S. is credited to Reverend S. Hemphreys Gurteen. Reverend Gurteen worked in London, which was experiencing the same conditions and problems as Buffalo. Upon arrival he organized the Society and it was designed to be the hub of the wheel to assist with necessary provided services to individuals and families. The C.O.S. was the first city-wide charitable organization in the United States.

The C.O.S. was played a large role in establishing new health and welfare agencies in response to community needs. The C.O.S. became known as Family Service Society. The Society directed its attention to improve family life. The members of the Society believed that an individual citizen is responsible or irresponsible according to his experience in the family unit.

The C.O.S. was located 181 Franklin Street and the branch office was at the Fitch Institute 164 East Swan Street.

COS Establishments in Buffalo:  Provident Scheme - "Provident" looking forward; looking into the future.

1880:   Fitch Crèche, the first day nursery for working women was established on Swan Street.  The Fitch Institute was also established to accommodate provident and benevolent undertakings.  Much credit to Maria M. Love.

1881:  Established and maintained a provident wood-yard for twelve years

1881 - 1882:  The Coal Savings Fund was started to enable to buy fuel in small quantities at a low price.

1882:   Investigation of the housing of the poor and more effective supervision of crowded tenements

1883:  Fitch Provident Dispensary opened.

1885:  Labor bureaus formed to provide work for the unemployed.

1886:  Fitch Accident Hospital opened.  It was discontinued in 1901 due to emergency hospital built.

1888:  Involved in the Fresh Air Mission - to provide for children need country air - the first placements were in farmhouses and village homes near Buffalo.  Founders of Cradle Beach Camp.

1890:  Nursemaid Training School opened.

1892:  Penny Savings Fund started.

1895:  The  Provident Loan Company was established to provide a substitute of using pawnbrokers. The first municipal bath house was  also introduced.

1900:  Systemized probation system for young delinquents was created leading to the establishment of  Juvenile Court.

1903:  Six municipal playgrounds were erected.

1902 - 1905: Vigorous treatment of wife and family abandonment.  Legislation was passed making it a felony and extraditable.

1904-1910:  Campaign against TB - opening of Fitch TB Dispensary, systematic medical exams in the schools were established to check for defects, enforcement of child-labor laws, and legal aid to the poor was provided.