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.

After nearly three years in the making, and as the agency began to celebrate its 30th year in 2009, the agency’s name transitioned from Pinebrook Services for Children and Youth to Pinebrook Family Services. Since its founding in 1979 and in keeping with its original purpose/mission, the agency has built a solid reputation for high-quality community-based services to children, young adults and families – and now the new name, Pinebrook Family Services – captures the true essence of our identity and mission. All of our services focus on strengthening families. Pinebrook Family Services clearly defines the now-broader community being served. While paying homage to agency history that the name Pinebrook still evokes, Pinebrook Family Services signals a revitalized organization ready to take on the challenge of the decades ahead.

As Pinebrook begins its fourth decade, 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.