In 1883, The Reformed Church in the United States established “The Reformed Orphan’s Home of Fort Wayne, IN.” In October 1883, nine-year-old Hermann Leisering came to live with our first Superintendent, Rev. John Rettig, and his wife. Over many decades, hundreds of orphans and other children needing a home came here to live on the land we were founded on and still stand on today.

As the need for orphanages began to diminish after World War II, we adapted by providing a home for unwed mothers known as Woodhaven and services for emotionally troubled children.

From 1959 to 1973, more than 1,000 unwed mothers came to Woodhaven to live until giving birth. Members of supporting churches adopted most of the infants. The need for these services diminished in the early 1970s as it became acceptable for unwed mothers to remain in their family homes. However, we continued to work with troubled children, expanding our services and making a name for ourselves in the Midwest as one of the finest treatment providers for emotionally troubled young people.

The Fort Wayne Children’s Home was our name for many years. We started using the name Crossroad in 1975. In 2010 our legal name became Crossroad Child & Family Services, Inc.

Today, we provide a full spectrum of residential, outpatient, home-based, and community services. David Mullins became our President and Chief Executive Officer in 2021. He is the thirteenth administrator of our agency.