Broadview Village
The property at 1132 Broadview Avenue was purchased from Norman Davies on November 20, 1940. On January 15, 1941, The Salvation Army
Children's Home, called "The Nest", was officially opened. The house on the property was a beautiful red brick home that was 75 years
old and was originally on 45 acres of land. The land now owned by The Salvation Army is 2 1/2 acres. It was a 21-room house, which was
to accommodate 35 children. Also on the property was a beautiful red-bricked house called "The Coach House" which was used for the servants
and for the storage of buggies. This building is still standing today.
On June 11, 1986, an historical plaque was unveiled marking "Chester Park" by the East York Historical Society. The coach house of Chester
Park is all that remains of the residence of the Thomas Taylor family, built in 1880. Robert Davies, a brother-in-law, purchased it in 1885.
These two prominent local landowners and manufacturers were responsible for much of the development of East York.
At the time of opening the Children's Home, there were 32 girls ranging in age from 5 to 19 years. The object of the home was to give the
children as nearly as possible the care and training they would receive in a good middle class home and the education to fit them for earning
their living at the age of 16 or 17. In the mid 1960's the first boy was admitted and the name of the program was then changed to "The
Salvation Army Children's Home".
As the needs increased it was decided that the cottages be built to accommodate those in real need. In 1962 the first cottage was
officially opened and by 1967 three cottages had been built on the property. Now that the three cottages and The Coach House were
in use to accommodate the children, the Main Building was no longer feasible to accommodate children unless they were sick and needed
to be away from the other children. The original red brick house was slowly deteriorating and it was decided in the 1970's to have it
demolished and a new one built.
On April 10, 1976, the new administration building was officially opened. The building bears the name of a very generous man and his
wife — Mr. Harry and Mrs. Margaret Newman, who donated a large sum of money to pay for the new building.
In 1975 the needs for children were rapidly changing. The Salvation Army Children's Village was preparing to meet another great need
in the community and as a result the name was again changed to "The Salvation Army Broadview Village". The Broadview Village is a residential
program that has served the needs of children in the city for many years. The program has remained sufficiently flexible to meet the needs
and new trends in Child Care.
In February 1975, phase I of a new program was implemented to accommodate 10 developmentally delayed adolescents. During the months of
July and August of the same year, phase II was in place making the maximum of 30 beds available. During the transition period while changing
the program from emotionally disturbed children to adolescents with developmentally challenges, the emotionally disturbed children stayed
in the program until it was possible to move them out.
As the residents became older, it was decided that more options would be made available for them and the program continued to expand as
houses were purchased in various locations in the City.
Oriole Parkway was purchased in January 1983 for the purpose of accommodating 10 young adults who have mild to moderate developmental
challenges.
Our Briar Hill group home was officially opened on April 3, 1985. This home was originally rented for 6 young people with developmentally
challenges. In November of 1990 the owners were selling the house on Briar Hill Road so a home on Spruce Hill Road was purchased for the
residents. Spruce Hill Group Home was officially opened on April 4, 1991, and accommodates 8 individuals.
Ridley Blvd. group home was purchased n October 1987 to accommodate ten young adults who have a mild to moderate developmental challenge.
Most residents of Spruce Hill, Ridley Blvd., and Oriole Parkway were former residents of the Broadview Avenue location.
The Salvation Army Broadview Village was always funded and staffed assuming that all residents had either a school, vocational or other
placement to attend during the day. As Broadview Village residents reached adulthood, their day program referrals were completed and were
unsuccessful at securing day program placements for school graduates. In July 1993, Broadview Village created a Day Program of its own which
provided daytime care for 15 adults combining community clients and agency group home residents.
In 2002 Broadview Village added four new spaces by renovating the Town House and Main House Apartment which brought the total number of
residents to 61.
In April 2003, due to growth and a need for a larger space, the Day Program was moved from The Coach House to Railside Road. It has now
been renamed "The Broadview Village Enrichment Program" and provides service to 25 participants.
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