Springfield, MA – Today marks a significant day in the life of the oldest social service agency in western Massachusetts. We are revisiting our historic roots for the announcement of our new brand. Hosted at the corporate home of Merriam-Webster, we pay homage to the agency’s first president, Rachel Capem Merriam.

According to long-time board member John Morse, “In 1865, she led the agency then known as The Springfield Home for Friendless Women and Children. Its purpose was to provide care, comfort, and healing to destitute women and children orphaned by the Civil War.” 

The Children’s Study Home celebrates the agency’s resilience and our ongoing commitment to children and families impacted by trauma. According to Will Dávila, Executive Director and CEO, “We are dedicated to helping the children who are referred to us by state agencies and local school districts. Our goal is to nurture and treat these children and youth so that they can thrive in school, in a stable home, and out in the community. We work with their families to strengthen parenting skills and restore normalcy at home. We also provide other community-based services.” 

The need to rebrand a 157-year-old agency was identified during a 7-month strategic planning process, involving representatives of the board and staff. “Certainly, the agency’s work is known and appreciated by our referral and funding sources, our donors, board members, and sponsors. But we recognized there was work to be done to make sure our story and our brand reflects who we are today,” stated Board President John Pappas. 

A group of employees from a variety of disciplines, offering different perspectives, was assigned to work with a brand consultancy. The rebranding process began with the development of the agency’s brand story—one that captured the agency’s history, present, and aspirational future. With the story in hand, the group recognized that the name Children’s Study Home represented a point in time in the agency’s past . 

And while children are still the agency’s primary focus, programs and methods have changed. According to Julie Norton, a long-time employee and branding committee member, “We knew there were many people who had no idea about the power and importance of our agency’s work. We realized how valuable it would be if we told our story in ways that reflect who we are today and who we hope to become. I’m proud to have been part of the process.” 

“More than a name change, our new brand captures our why. The resiliency captured in our brand means our purpose is still relevant after 157 years. We continue to work to restore normalcy in the lives of children and families who have been impacted by traumatic circumstances. Helix Human Services will do everything in our power to help make traumatized children, families, and adults whole again,” states Will Dávila. 

He adds, “None of this work is possible without the help of legislators, educators, funders, community partners, volunteers, and donors. I invite you to visit our website to learn more. I look forward to our continued partnership on behalf of the children and families we serve.“