Our Story

In the Spring of 1979, Florence Applebaum saw an urgent need for community-based diagnostic services for abused and neglected children in the Lehigh Valley. Acknowledging that naming the agency was quite a difficult task, Florence gave the agency its name because "Pinebrook" evoked a peace and serenity. By the fall of 1979, Pinebrook Services for Children and Youth was incorporated as a private, non-profit agency, licensed by the Department of Public Welfare, and well on its way helping children and their families.

Pinebrook quickly expanded throughout the 1980’s and 1990's to meet the growing needs of children who experienced abuse, neglect, parental substance abuse, behavioral issues, and broken families. From Pinebrook's flagship program, many other needed services have grown. Today, over 2,000 children and families receive assistance each year through the agency's continuum of services, which include a host of adoption, foster care, behavioral health and other vital community-based services.

As Pinebrook nears its 30th anniversary, each year is like starting afresh. New children and families to help; new programs to develop and launch. There is rekindled hope that each child we empower, each family we strengthen or preserve represents a new beginning.