Happy Valley provided a home and school for boys and girls, especially those whose homes had been disrupted, and who would benefit by having a warm, understanding substitute home among new friends until such time as their own homes could be reestablished. One of its principal objectives was to serve families who, despite misfortune, were exerting themselves to maintain their financial independence and individual integrity.
In order to accomplish these purposes, the program at Happy Valley had been made flexible, resourceful, and as highly individualized as possible.
Although the customary time for a child’s enrollment in school was in September, a child was welcome to come to Happy Valley at any time during the year provided that space was available, and provided that he or she was normal in health, intelligence and behavior.
The usual age for a child’s admission to Happy Valley’s elementary school was six to twelve, but an older child could be accepted in order that the children in the family may remain together. All of the children made their home at Happy Valley, but the older child was enrolled in nearby Pomona Junior High School.
A trained and experienced professional and home-life staff had been retained at Happy Valley to help each child understand the reasons for his separation from home, and to work with parent and child toward family reunification.
The emphasis at Happy Valley was always on understanding and respecting the worth and dignity of the individual child in his school life as in his home life and on helping him to achieve an appropriate place for himself in our society. The proportion of total staff to children was maintained at approximately one staff member for every two children. Members of the staff had been selected for their character, and for their experience and understanding in working with children.