History of the Russian Children's Welfare Society

This year, the Russian Children's Welfare Society proudly celebrates the 83rd anniversary of its founding in 1926. The original organizers announced their commitment to improving the lives of Russian children throughout the world at the 125th Street YMCA in New York City. They embarked on their mission with a modest contribution that was sent to support Russian shelters in Latvia, and their legacy certainly lives on in the Society's many programs today.

The direction of the Russian Children's Welfare Society support has been steered by many of the 20th century's tumultuous events. The Bolshevik Revolution of 1917 prompted the emigration of large numbers of Russians to Europe, Asia, North and South America. By the early thirties, the Society had ten branches operating throughout the United States and was sending money and material assistance to schools and organizations assisting Russian children in locales as diverse as Estonia, Poland, Finland, France, Germany, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Harbin, Shanghai and Istanbul.

The occupation of many of these countries during World War II suspended much of the Society's work, which was prohibited after American entry to the war in 1941. After the liberation of France in 1944, the Society worked very closely with the American Committee for Assistance to France and managed to send $25,000 in cash, food and clothing. By 1945, RCWS assistance was providing hot breakfasts in French schools, serving approximately 1,100 children.

During WWII, the Society's leadership decided to professionalize its operations. RCWS eventually gained recognition by the Presidential War Relief Control Board as an approved charity for work abroad during the war. By 1950, the Society was again sending relief to 14 countries.

Among the long-term volunteers of the RCWS was Princess Vera Constantinovna of Russia (1906-2001), a great-granddaughter of Tsar Nicholas I of Russia and the youngest child of Grand Duke Constantine Constantinovich of Russia. Princess Vera was born in Imperial Russia and was a childhood playmate of Nicholas II’s younger children. At the age of twelve she escaped revolutionary Russia and spent the rest of her life in exile, first in Europe and from the 1950s in the United States. Starting November 1952 till 1969, Princess Vera was working at the Russian Children’s Welfare Society, assisting with day to day activities of the organization. She passed away at the Tolstoy Foundation’s elderly care home in Nyack, NY at the age of 94. Princess Vera was the last member of the Romanov dynasty who was born in Russia.

With the dawn of the Cold War, it became all but impossible for the Society to send aid to countries that fell behind the "iron curtain." The Society did carry on its work helping Russian children in western European countries, particularly France, as well as the Far East, South America and the United States.

With the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the Society again shifted its focus and resources to impoverished children living in Russia today. Fortunately, the Society received a $4.5 million bequest from the estate of John Engalitcheff, Jr. in 1990. Through the Society's prudent investments and frugal financial practices, we are now able to channel 100% of our donations to help sick and needy children and orphans in Russia today.

During the 2007–2010, the Society disbursed approximately over $2 million in direct aid to children in Russia by supporting orphanages, homeless shelters, hospitals, rehabilitation centers for disabled children and schools.

The Society is proud of its accomplishments in its over 80 year history, and pays tribute to all of our predecessors and donors who transformed the organization into one of the leading charities in Russia today. Along the way, great and important traditions such as the Petroushka Ball have given the Russian community and its friends an opportunity to celebrate Russian culture while advancing the cause of Russian children in need. RCWS remains resolute in its mission and will continue to find ways to implement innovative programs in the 21st century, despite the unpredictability of world events.

 

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