In 1898, ten St. Lawrence County women met to address a pressing social need, orphaned and indigent children. They each invested one hundred dollars to form the Society of the United Helpers and created a safe haven that helped to house and keep hundreds of area children safe and nurtured.

Roll forward nearly 120 years. Continuing in the spirit of social entrepreneurship and innovation, United Helpers continued to grow and evolve, its leaders consciously addressing and adapting to emerging challenges and social needs. Today, United Helpers employs more than one thousand people and serves close to eighteen hundred customers each day.

Our Roots:

The vision that sparked the birth of the Society of the United Helpers was ignited in 1898 and began in the hearts of the people of St. Lawrence County. In 1898, and the two decades preceding, a desperate need for increased facilities to house indigent children was identified. The problem has loomed and reached its pinnacle when a public debate arose over the fate of three area children that were considered by the community to be "running wild."

Setting the Standard of Care:

Answering this call for action were ten women, who pledged $100 each to fund and establish a Home for the Homeless. This home was to provide basic care for orphaned children and destitute women, but it also set a standard of care that later became the framework for the Society of the United Helpers.

After many discussions, twelve church women formed a new group and applied for a state charter. They developed a constitution and bylaws and the Society of the United Helpers was officially formed in April of 1898.

On May 4, just one short month later, the first child was placed in the Society's Home which was located at 22 Congress Street in Ogdensburg. Alzina Milligan, the Society's first matron, rode to Potsdam, NY to pick up a boy who was in need of care. In order to insure proper nutrition under her care, Mrs. Milligan often traveled the countryside in her horse and buggy seeking donations for the home.

This demonstration of "caring for our community" has long served the United Helpers organization. Today, United Helpers still seeks to fulfill the health and social needs of the North Country. Below is a timeline of events since the time of our incorporation.