History

Our History

The National Easterseals began in 1919 with Ohio-Businessman Edgar Allen founded the National Society for Crippled Children, which would later become known as Easterseals. 

Easterseals of Southeastern Pennsylvania was organized as an affiliate of the Pennsylvania and National Society in 1936, by the late Frank B. Allen, son of Edgar F. Allen, and provided direct services in Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties.

Through the following decades, Easterseals of Southeastern Pennsylvania served children and adults through rehabilitative, educational, and recreational programs, including summer camps in each county. Our programs and services have evolved over the decades to reflect the needs of the community.

Today, we primarily serve children from infancy through preschool. In our schools and the community, our therapeutic and educational services are focused on meeting the unique needs of every child we serve.