History
MHY Family Services was founded in 1878 by the women of the United Presbyterian churches of Pittsburgh and Allegheny City, which is now Pittsburgh’s Northside neighborhood. Opening first with volunteers, the United Presbyterians Orphan’s home served families who, as the result of death or poverty, could no longer care for their children. Within two decades, the United Presbyterian Orphans Home, also known as “The Home”, had grown from volunteers to employing 12 adults to care for 75 children.
In 1929, in response to increased need, the agency purchased an estate in Butler County - the campus MHY Family Services occupies today.
In 1996, the organization was reincorporated as Mars Home for Youth as the mission continued to evolve to meet the needs of at-risk youth through residential and community based services.
In 2012, as our Community Services programs continued to grow, our current name MHY Family Services was adopted. This was done to honor the ongoing diversification of services.
In 2014, MHY Family Services earned accreditation through COA, marking excellence in the delivery of human services. Expedited COA re-accreditation was awarded to MHY in 2018.
Throughout the pandemic, MHY Family Services has demonstrated adaptiveness to social and economic changes of our society. As the organization managed the workforce challenges, MHY has suspended its residential programs and invested resources in the introduction of community and school-based program. The focus of these programs is to support youth and families in their homes and in their communities, so that they remain together. We intend to continue our commitment to youth and families for decades to come.