Troy-based nonprofit celebrates 190 years serving community

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A local human service organization celebrated a special milestone on Wednesday. Vanderheyden has supported children and families in crisis for 190 years.

The Troy-based nonprofit was established in 1833 by a group of women who were concerned about the number of abandoned children. A lot has changed since then, but the goal of supporting vulnerable populations remains the same.

"I hope that they're proud, those ladies and those originators of this work, because we're still here 190 years later," Vanderheyden Pres. and CEO Karen Carpenter said. "And we're providing service to 700 individuals and families every single day from 30 different counties around the entire state."

The organization provides a range of services, including a residential youth program, a special education school, and group homes for people with disabilities.