GA is founded on a tradition of caring and compassion toward youth that goes back to 1886. Today, we provide a full continuum of services for at-risk youth. All services are individualized, child-centered and permanency-focused. Over the years, GA Family Services has celebrated hundreds of thousands of success stories. Every day, youth and families with special needs have positive experiences as a result of our outstanding services.

The Gustavus Adolphus Children’s Home admitted its first 12 children on January 27, 1886. All were orphans of Swedish immigrants. The Home was established by the Augustana Synod of the Lutheran Church in response to its concern for the religious upbringing of those Swedish children whose parents had died enroute to the United States or soon after their arrival.

Several northeastern locations were proposed with Jamestown being selected. Well-known local architect Aaron Hall designed the Gothic structure. The acreage surrounding the building became a working farm, providing the children with many valuable lessons for their future lives. Noted superintendents of the GA Home include the first ones, Rev. and Mrs. T.O. Linell and long-term superintendents, Mr. & Mrs. John S. Swensson and Mr. And Mrs. J. Oscar Peterson, both of whom had grown up in the home.               read more...