[5] The institution, which was founded by Kezia Payne DePelchin primarily as an orphanage for young children, quickly grew to include other services.

Since its inception in 1892, DePelchin Children's Center has expanded its facilities and operations in order to offer even more services to the families of Houston.

1899: Because of a growing number of children in its care, the DePelchin Faith Home moves to a larger building on the corner of Chenevert and Pierce Streets.

The building at 2700 Albany Street that housed DePelchin Faith Home between 1913 and 1938 was specially designed by architecture firm Mauran & Russell.

This incarnation of Faith Home features an open arcade on the bottom story with Doric columns to support a classical cornice; the structure was modeled after an Italianate villa, a popular architectural movement in late 19th century America.

The design contains characteristics emblematic of the architectural trends of the era such as sleeping porches and a flat roof that projects far out with broad eaves.

[17] 1987: On September 22, a temporary emergency shelter for adolescents and teenagers managed by Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU) in Richmond, Texas, is incorporated into DePelchin Children's Center.

The Houston Child Guidance Center, founded by Ima Hogg in 1929, was a pioneer of mental health services because it offered an alternative to hospitalization.

DePelchin's services focus on foster care and adoption, residential treatment, prevention and early intervention, and counseling for children and families.

DePelchin also offers prevention and early intervention programs to promote healthy families and decrease the future need for more intensive services.

This includes services to at-risk youths facing substance abuse, truancy, and other issues; school-based counseling; teen pregnancy prevention; assistance to pregnant and parenting teens; and family education programs to improve parenting skills and decrease risk factors leading to abuse and neglect.

In addition to offering temporary residence, the TAGS Program provides youths the opportunities, knowledge and skills necessary to mature into productive, responsible adults capable of becoming independent.

In addition, there are multiple satellite locations throughout the Greater Houston area, including Stafford, Baytown, The Woodlands, Richmond, and Clear Lake.

[23] The Kezia DePelchin Award was established in 1998 as a way to honor individuals who are committed to serving as advocates for the mental health and physical well-being of children.

Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush 1999: Ann G. Trammell 2000: Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter 2001: Pediatrician Dr. Thomas Berry Brazelton 2002: Anne S. Duncan 2003: Doctor Peggy B. Smith 2004: CEO of Kinder Morgan Energy Partners Richard Kinder and wife Nancy 2005: Catherine and Robert Mosbacher Jr. 2006: Flo and Bill McGee 2007: Bobbie and John Nau III, CEO of Silver Eagle Distributors 2008: CEO of Hines Interests Limited Partnership Jeff Hines and wife Wendy 2009: Jesse H. Jones II 2010: Owners of the Houston Texans NFL team Janice and Robert McNair 2011: The Honorable James Baker, III and Susan Garrett Baker 2012: The Junior League of Houston & ExxonMobil (Corporate Volunteer Award) 2013: Nancy Powell Moore 2014: Nancy Gordon 2015: The Lovett Family 2016: Pat and Tom Powers 2017: No honoree due to 125th celebration 2018: Texas Bowl 2019: Hamill Foundation 2020: Hannah and Cal McNair 2021: Charles Szalkowski 2022: The Gordy Family 2023: Baker Botts In 1933, DePelchin officially joined the Child Welfare League of America (CWLA).