Stevens History

In memory of her husband, Frank S. Stevens, the will of Elizabeth Stevens provided for the construction of a home for boys on the site of her estate in Swansea Village, Massachusettes.

Chartered in 1937, the home first opened its doors in 1939 as the Frank S. Stevens Home for Boys, beginning a long tradition of service to boys whose needs had gone unmet by traditional and familial structures. Originally considered an orphanage, the home transitioned to a program providing services to a growing population of boys who found it difficult to adjust to life in the community or public school setting.

In the 1970’s and 1980’s, the residential, educational and clinical programs were restructured to provide treatment for adolescents with a higher level of behavioral and mental health needs than typically addressed in other residential settings. Stevens quickly developed a reputation for being able to successfully serve and care for youth with complicated treatment issues.

Although the profile of the typical Stevens client has changed, Stevens has been unswerving in its mission to serve youth in need: to empower youth to lead successful lives through high quality treatment and education in a safe and nurturing environment. Youth successfully re-integrate into home and community with hope for the future and the resiliency they need to thrive.