MSM 616 Nancy Hungerford - The Natchez Children's Home

Founded in 1816, a full year before Mississippi achieved statehood, Natchez Children's Services has always worked to provide our most vulnerable children, respite from abuse, hunger, and neglect. Nancy Hungerford began her tenure as director of the state's oldest nonprofit in 1983. In this episode, taken from a 1999 oral history interview, she recounts some of the organization's 200-year history. Originally set up as an asylum for Mississippi's orphans, Hungerford describes how the organization's name and mission have evolved over time to keep up with societal changes. Although times have changed, the needs and concerns of children have remained constant: love, support, and consistent care. In Mississippi alone, there are thousands of children in foster care due to abuse and neglect. Hungerford recalls how the Natchez Children's Home (now Natchez Children's Services) provided stability for kids in need. In 1999 Natchez Children's Services still housed 16 children in their residential facility. Hungerford recalls how visitation day was often a day of hope and heartache. To learn more about the vital work of nonprofits like NCS, visit http://ntzchs.org .