THE EARLY YEARS (circa 1976)
by Tom Clinton– Founding Member,
Board Member, and Volunteer

 The original name of the organization was Human Services of Dedham, Inc. The name reflects the primary goal to provide services to the people of Dedham.

The original plan was supporting the Police department, and the juvenile officer’s vision of creating a working farm for court involved youth.

 The program started in Riverdale on a track of land known as the Kennedy Farm that was then under the MDC (Metropolitan District Commission).

 The program then moved to the Endicott Estate Greenhouse, that had been abandoned for years.

A federally funded grant, under the Dedham Youth Commission, hired 6 teens and 2 supervisors, full time, to clean and restore the greenhouse into a working entity.

Human Services was the first group to initiate after-school programs for what was then termed ‘Latch Key Children.’

That program has grown to the existing after-school programs being run in all schools.

Subsequently, many groups and organizations have been involved, such as the 4-H club, Retired Mens Club, Girl Scouts,
and Boy Scouts, etc.

The goal was always to provide services to Dedham residents. Gardens…the greenhouse… were only a means to the end.