A BRIEF HISTORY OF HOPKINS HOUSE

Hopkins House was born of necessity. In 1939, at the end of the Depression when the economy began to improve, President Roosevelt began to cut back on social programs for the poor. One that was eliminated was a Works Progress Administration sponsored Social Services Day Nursery that provided care for the children of African-American working parents in then racially segregated Alexandria.

The Committee, composed of teachers including Edith Allen, Helen Day, Connie Chissell and others, used their homes at first.  Soon they persuaded the Social Services League to allow the use of their building at 517 Gibbon Street after six in the evening. 

The Committee named the new community center in honor of Dr. J. Milton Hopkins, an Alexandria African-American physician who for years had provided medical care to anyone in need, regardless of ability to pay.  Dr. Hopkins died on July 15, 1927.

Soon the nursery qualified to receive funds through the Community Chest (today's United Way). Chissell, an experienced social worker and educator, served as the first director. Helen Day and Edith Allen raised funds and planned programs with special focus on helping the poorest families.  Hopkins House was incorporated on August 9, 1939.

During these early years, Hopkins House had little or no money to pay for the services people needed.  But what the organization lacked in funds, it more than made up in community involvement.  Edith Allen and Helen Day, Hopkins House's first secretary, helped to originate "Negro History Week" in Alexandria's public schools -- a first in segregated Alexandria.  After many efforts to identify funding, City Councilman Albert Smoot secured a grant of $95.67 from the City to support Hopkins House programs.  With these funds, Edith Allen organized Girl Scout Troop #16 and Helen Day formed Brownie Troop #8. Other activities soon followed. 

Through the next half century, Hopkins House programs expanded to include preschools, HIV/AIDS prevention, a crisis and family counseling center, brownie troops, after-school tutoring, a summer children’s camp, a credit union, an employment and housing referral program, elder care centers, Headstart, Thanksgiving Meals for the Homeless, and a Lunch Bag Program for the hungry.

In 1994, the Hopkins House trustees adopted a strategic plan that, over the next five years, returned the organization to its roots providing education programs for low-income, working families with children.

_________________________________________

THROUGH THE YEARS

1939

Hopkins House is founded by Edith L. Allen, Helen Day, Connie Chissell, Leon C. Baltimore, Jr., Margaret Evans, Samuel W. Madden, Richard Poole, Alma P. Murray, and Evelyn Johnson Williams.  The organization’s first home was located at 517 Gibbon Street.  Alexandria City Council allocates $95.67 to operate Hopkins House. Alexandria Community Chest (now the United Way) contributes $1,335 to Hopkins House. Alexandria City Council gives additional grant of $500 to Hopkins House.

1940

Hopkins House holds first Annual Meeting.  Membership dues are $0.25 a year.

1941

Hopkins House leads petition drive to establish a high school for black children. The school was finally opened in 1950. Hopkins House establishes first library in the City open to black children.  Black history books were also donated to each of the two elementary schools for black children (Parker-Gray and Lyles Crouch). The Alexandria Chapter of the NAACP is organized at Hopkins House. Hopkins House moves to larger quarters at 1011 Oronoco Street.

1943

Hopkins House establishes “The Society for the Prevention of Delinquency,” a group offering youth recreational activities as an alternative to delinquency.

1945

Hopkins House serves as employment clearinghouse for veterans returning from World War II. Hopkins House establishes scholarship fund to assist graduates of Parker-Gray.  Hopkins House persuades City to use closed U.S.O. building as a recreation center for black children.

1948

Hopkins House relocates to its third home at 1312 Princess Street.

1959

Hopkins House board of trustees becomes racially integrated – a first in then segregated Alexandria.

1964

The Departmental Progressives Club raises $14,000 to fund the Neighborhood Services Project at Hopkins House. This project provided social work and intensive assistance to individuals falling between the cracks of existing social services.

1965

A half-day playschool is established at Hopkins House for 4- and 5-year-olds.

1967

Hopkins House establishes social hygiene class for teenagers.  This program was the precursor to the organization’s community health programs.  Hopkins House is awarded Headstart contract for the City of Alexandria.

1968

Hopkins House establishes a federally chartered credit union.

1974

Hopkins House dedicates 1224 Princess Street building with $104,834 grant from HUD. This is the organization’s fourth home.  Hopkins House selected for the U.S. Congregate Feeding Program under Title VII of the Older Americans Act. This program was the forerunner of the current City-sponsored program under the Alexandria Office on Aging.  Hopkins House expands food basket program to the Thanksgiving Dinners project feeding hundreds of needy persons on Thanksgiving Day.

1980

Hopkins House purchases two vans to transport senior citizens throughout the City.

1988

Hopkins House opens its first preschool at 1224 Princess Street.  Hopkins House is awarded the City’s first AIDS/HIV prevention program.

1989

Special Friends of Hopkins House donate $50,000 to the organization’s general fund.  Hopkins House celebrates half-a-century of service.

1990

Hopkins House receives bequest of $45,000 from Mary Randolph, the largest gift from an individual at that time.

1994

Hopkins House trustees and members adopt four-year strategic plan to return the organization to its roots in service to children.

1995

Hopkins House raises record $150,000 in gifts to the organization.  Columbia Capital Corporation pledges $25,000, the largest single corporate gift to the Hopkins House to-date.

1996

Hopkins House opens offices in Fairfax County.

1997

Hopkins House trustees adopt organization’s first $1-million plus operating budget. Hopkins House opens second preschool on the West End of Alexandria.

1999

Hopkins House launches site on the Internet. Hopkins awarded $150,000 grant from the Mark & Catherine Winkler Foundation, its largest gift from a foundation and its largest single gift to-date.  The Agnes & Eugene Meyer Foundation awards $100,000 grant. Hopkins House completes implementation of its four-year strategic plan, returning it to an organization for children and their families.

2000

Hopkins House completes the renovation and expansion of its preschool on Princess Street in Alexandria.

2001

Hopkins House launches capital campaign to raise $1.6-million to construct a Child & Family Development Center in Fairfax County.  Organization opens infant and toddler care center at its Princess Street preschool. Organization grants first Elward J. Alexander, III Memorial “Gift” to a family affected by violence.

2002

Hopkins House closes its AIDS/HIV prevention program after 14 years. Trustees name the organization’s preschool on Duke Street in memory of Hopkins House’s first President, Edith Allen.  Governor Mark Warner speaks at Annual Meeting.  Hopkins House purchases 1.6 acres in Fairfax County for the site of its proposed Child & Family Development Center. 

2003

The Community Stakeholders approve a 5-Year Strategic Plan changing the mission of the organization and calling for a expansion of Hopkins House services and programs; and, they make official the designation “Community Stakeholder.” 

2006

Hopkins House begins construction on building in Fairfax County.

______________________________

HOPKINS HOUSE BOARD CHAIRS

Edith L. Allen- 1939 - 1940

W. L. Harris- 1940 - 1948

James Raby, Esq.- 1948 - 1960

Lawrence Day- 1960 - 1964

Rev. William Patterson- 1964 - 1966

William T. Davies- 1966 - 1968

Joseph Kahoe, Sr.- 1968 - 1969

William T. Davies - 1969 - 1971

Arthur B. Word, Sr.- 1971 - 1975

Clarence A. Johnson - 1975 - 1980

Lionel R. Hope - 1980 - 1982

Clarence A. Johnson- 1982 - 1986

Charles McKnight - 1987 - 1988

Clarence A. Johnson - 1988 – 1995

Valeria S. Henderson - 1995 – 1999

Harry “Bud” Hart - 1999 - Present

____________________________

HOPKINS HOUSE PRESIDENTS

Connie B. Chissell - 1939 - 1952

Elsie Thomas - 1954 - 1965

Edward Yates - 1965 - 1966

Joseph Tatnall - 1966 - 1972

Anice Chance Wilson - 1973 - 1986

Linwood J. Oglesby - 1986 – 1991

J. Glenn Hopkins - 1991 - Present