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Eagle Valley Children's Home Timeline & History
FOUNDED IN 1946
1945 Margaret Frisch had a son named Jimmy Frisch, who had special needs from birth. The year he was born, his mom Margaret took her newborn son to a specialist in San Francisco. Her son was diagnosed with Down Syndrome and later suffered from rheumatoid arthritis and intellectual disabilities.
When Margaret met with the specialist in San Francisco, he advised her to seek out a special medical facility to help her with her son and the special needs that he had. However, in Nevada there were no such facilities to properly care for someone with special needs. Margaret, who was a determined mother, contacted a registered nurse operating a facility in Hayward CA. Ironically, the nurse in California was caring for four Nevada children because the state had no places for them with their special needs.
Through Margaret’s efforts, Nevada Children's Foundation Inc, was formed. Its goal was to open a home for handicapped children. She would work with others (Lester Hilp, Silas P. Ross Sr, Margaret Frisch (Mrs. Charles Frisch), Harry Frost, Ralph Wittenberg, Mrs. A Stadtherr, Mrs. Willis Caffery and Randall Ross) in the Reno area who believed in her vision. Private donations were sought and people by the hundreds did respond, private citizens, groups, organizations, service clubs and many casinos in the area to help raise funds to open this much needed home. They were able to raise funds for a down payment, and another sizable payment would be due in 6 months.
About that time the property that Eagle Valley Children’s Home would eventually become was for sale in Carson City with three buildings on it and it had 210 acres of prime property north of the capital city for $45,000.00. It had been a ranch for women to establish residency in the state of Nevada to get a quickie divorce and had closed down fairly recently. The purchase of the property was made in July 1946. The first manager of Eagle Valley Children’s Home was Grace W. Koster, a registered nurse and psychiatrist – well qualified in the conduct and management of the home. She brought 9 children with her, 4 of whom were residents of the state of Nevada. Eagle Valley Care Center opened in September of 1946 with Ms. Koster managing a staff of three to care for the 9 children with severe and profound intellectual and developmental disabilities.
It was a group of four enthusiastic residents in the city of Reno that became the first Board of Directors of Nevada Children’s Foundation Inc., a private non-profit organization for the care of disabled children, duly incorporated with the constitution, bylaws and a tremendous will to put this plan into operation to make a dream a reality.
Milestones
1948 - Bing Crosby and Spike Jones helped with fundraising by playing baseball to benefit Eagle Valley Children's Center (EVCH original name at its founding). This fundraising event happened on September 2nd, 1947. The game was played at the Moana Baseball Park in Reno, Nevada.
1946 - 1950 The foundation successfully paid off the mortgage balance of the ranch property through the collective support of community fundraising efforts, along with significant contributions from Nevada hotel and casino owners. Additionally, even young children played a meaningful role, donating their allowances to support Eagle Valley Care Center.
1976 The Board of Directors felt it necessary to hire a graduate, qualified administrator in the special needs field to elevate us from a care center to a fully accredited intermediate care facility. This meant that Eagle Valley Children’s Home would now get some funds to help support the organization and under that, Eagle Valley Children’s Home would now be required to give each individual a personalized care plan involving physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech therapist, nutritionist, any other specialized care needed to provide specialized services to the clients in our care.
Marsha Munro became our first Director. She put a greater emphasis on training and therapy rather than just providing care to the 11 individuals living at EVCH at this time. Miss Munro, began working on a number of improvements for the home
1979 Nevada Day Fun Run to support Eagle Valley Children’s Home. This would be done for two years to raise funds and awareness!
1980 October – Foster Grandparents were looked for by Eagle Valley Children’s Home, must be 60 years old or older, low income, work 4 hours daily 5 days a week, one hot meal daily and possible transportation. Work duties involved include reading, storytelling, accompanying on outings, giving lots of tender loving care. $197.00 monthly. EVCH had foster grandparents come in and spend time with individuals by reading to them, rocking them, and singing to them.
1980 Jerrie Ganit, Recreation Aide at EVCH is actively looking for volunteers to help with reading stories, rocking individuals, accompanying the clients to the park or other outings done in the community.
1982 A new building would be dedicated on the property at Eagle Valley Children's Home and would be deemed the Frisch Therapy Wing on May 8th, 1982. This building would have a hydrotherapy pool and a therapy room and would also have administrative offices. On May 8th, 1982, Royal D. Crowell, member of the board of directors at Eagle Valley Children's Home, was selected by his peers from the board of directors to dedicate the new building and to tell the crowd his story of this property as a boy and what he remembers. “Let's begin with the turn of the century. The V & T passenger train puffed out of the tunnel above us. The passengers looked down on this little ranch, a few small buildings and green fields called Eagle Valley Ranch. Their gaze beheld the balance of this small, sagebrush covered valley dotted with a few green fields - Davis ranch, Raycroft's, Winnies and a group of trees across the valley. The Dome of the capital, the post office, the US mint and a few other rooftops were visible from above these trees. The engineer and the fireman sat back and enjoyed the gradual descent into Carson City. It was a beautiful little city, boardwalks, dirt streets, 1500 people and those beautiful trees. The V & T is only a memory and so much else has faded into the nostalgia of yesterday. The dirt you came in on passing in front of these buildings and turning up the Canyon was the road to Reno. The paved roads had not been built and well I remember the road and this place I was born and raised in Carson City one day I decided to venture clear to Lakeview on my bike. A pretty good trip in those days I huffed and puffed and pushed my way up the hill. Reaching lake view I rested and visited with the kids living there two families. So, I started home savoring the fast ride down the hill I got a little too fast and as the chain broke, I was running a little wild I gathered myself the bike, together and started home carrying and pushing my beautiful bike and crying every step of the way. Yes, I remember this place” Royal D. Crowell, would go on to dedicate this new building and show praise & honor to one of the founders, Margaret Frisch.
1985 Following request from several local families, EVCH launched an in-home respite care program in 1985. What started out as serving a handful of families has expanded to supporting more than sixty families across a 60-mile radius of Carson City
1985 New Playground covers the old pool: More than 350 community members gathered at Eagle Valley Children's Home to celebrate the opening of a new inclusive park designed especially for children & adults with disabilities. The park provides opportunities for them to experience physical challenges in a safe and encouraging environment, something that might not otherwise have a chance to do.
The playground features a special 2-foot-deep soft surface around the equipment with the ground covered in Fibar, which cushions falls and allows wheelchairs to glide easily across the play area. The design encourages children and adults of all abilities to participate together. They can climb, hang slide, and even enjoy specially designed swings that accommodate wheelchairs alongside traditional swings
Architect Art Hannifin explained that the planners envisioned the facility as more than just a place for physical activity, we want to stimulate the senses and increase awareness while creating an engaging environment for all children he said, the playground equipment is bright and colorful, with crayon like shades of red, yellow and blue period a pavilion stands at the center of the park providing a gathering place for visitors and everyone at eagle valley children's home. Still to be completed as a natural pathway designed to accommodate wheelchairs. The path will wind through the trees and playground area before ending at the nearby Creek, allowing visitors to enjoy the beauty of this setting. Along the path observations stations will be installed to encourage exploration and appreciation of nature this is a place where children won't feel restricted from doing the things many of us take for granted, Hannafin said
The playground has been a year in the making after an anonymous donor contributed $100,000 to the project Hannafin described the planning and completion of the park as a dream come true
1988 An addition to the Frisch Therapy Wing would be built and opened. Adding additional bedrooms and observation room on the lower level
1993 EVCH achieved its first deficiency Free State licensure survey later earning 17 additional deficiency free annual surveys. Deficiency free surveys are considered a gold standard in residential and healthcare facilities including places like EVCH because the bar is extremely high. Here's why they are hard to achieve. There are hundreds of regulations and tags that must be met with 0 errors surveyors assess compliance with federal state and sometimes local regulations across residential rights medication management staffing and training infection control documentation safety and emergency systems quality of care nutrition and food services and environmental standards even 1 violation minor or major prevents A deficiency free result. Surveyors observe everything in real time staff, interactions, care practices cleanliness and safety medical procedures, meal services, and behavioral supports. Organizations must be consistently excellent every hour of the day. Surveys are unannounced and facilities rarely know when surveyors will arrive this means there's no time to prepare the organization must already be operating at a survey level compliance every day any temporary staffing shortage equipment problem or documentation gap becomes visible immediately.
1996 EVCH commemorated its 50-year anniversary with a celebration
1996 EVCH was formally acknowledged by United States Senator of Nevada Richard H. Bryan to extend special commendation for exemplary performance and outstanding achievement for the dedicated efforts and distinguished service we have done for enhancing the quality of life and prosperity for our fellow citizens.
1997 - 2018 The Workplace – nearly 20 years, EVCH ran an offsite vocational training center for our clients over the age of 21 years old. This site was run by EVCH and provided continual training to our clients with functional skills that each person needs to work on.
2004 EVCH moved its residential program into a newly constructed state-of-the-art facility on the original site expanding the capacity and modernizing services
2016 EVCH commemorated its 70-year anniversary with a community celebration and dedication of a new therapeutic garden designed with community support
2019 Our MAC (Mallory Activity Center) opened. This is an onsite day program for all our clients who reside here.
2021 Proclamation from Carson City Board of Supervisors honoring all current and past employees of Eagle Valley Children’s Home. Showing recognition of the exceptional care given to its clients. This organization operates 24 hours a day, day after day, year after year. Lori Bagwell, Mayor of Carson City, Nevada on behalf of the Board of Supervisors presented the proclamation and commended all who perform/performed the wonderful work daily.
2022 the Respite program at Eagle Valley Children's Home was recognized as a Rising Star by the ARCH National Respite Network, honoring its growth quality and long-term impact to the community. This honor shows innovative and exemplary respite services to the community.
2024 Eagle Valley Children's Home was nominated as Best Places to work in Northern Nevada
2025 Eagle Valley Children's Home was nominated as Best Places to work in Northern Nevada
2025 Respite program celebrates 40 years of service to the community.
2025 Our first annual Golf Fundraising Tournament at Silver Oaks Golf course. It was a powerful reminder of what a caring community can accomplish together. With the support of generous sponsors, dedicated participants and community members who believe in our mission, the event was a success
Vision for the future: As we celebrate 80 years at Eagle Valley Children’s Home, we envision the next 80, where we continue to offer so much in the care of individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities. We will remain the heart of this community, growing, adapting and always keeping up with the times. Change is constant, but so are we. Each generation will find hope and belonging for decades to come at Eagle Valley Children’s Home.
