Family Service of Racine was incorporated in October 1910 as the Central Association, a merger of the North Side Boys' Club, the Racine Day Nursery Association, Associated Charities, and the Big Sisters Association. The first meeting minutes, May 31, 1910, state that the reason for the merger was to economize on the administrative costs of separate agencies. The merging agencies each functioned as a division of the Central Association under the direction of an elected board of directors with representatives from each division and elected officers.
In 1914 the Central Association was located at 816 College Avenue until, after intensive fundraising, a residence at 920 Wilson Street was acquired and renovated. The building was sometimes referred to as “Racine's Hull House.” The Central Association remained at that location until 1968 when it was housed in temporary quarters. In 1976 it located at 420 Seventh Street.
Activities from 1910 to 1925 consisted primarily of supervised group activities for boys and girls through clubs and sports programs; adult and youth education programs in homemaking, English, music, gymnastics, and manual arts; a day nursery school; and relief distributions. Prior to 1931, Racine's poor relief was administered by an agent appointed by the city council. The number of persons applying for relief became so large during the 1930s that the city asked the Central Association to become its official agent for relief and unemployment programs. The increasing demand on resources forced the day nursery to close in 1933. City funds were soon exhausted, and in August 1933 the Racine County Board took over distribution of relief with funds from the federal government. The Central Association was then able to resume its work with groups. During the summer of 1935 the day nursery reopened.
During the Depression the agency emphasized case work, with the Central Association representatives making home visits to provide for immediate needs. The youth clubs, adult education classes, and other group work continued until recreational personnel became scarce during World War II. At the same time, the association expanded its child care program and ran programs for the Boys' Club. In 1947 the association's board of directors voted to discontinue group work in favor of a concentration on case work and child care. This development was reflected in a new name adopted in 1951: Family Service of Racine.
During the 1950s and 1960s the staff became increasingly professionalized, attending seminars, accepting interns from newly established programs in social work at the University of Wisconsin, conducting self studies, and engaging in increased outreach activities. In 1966-1967 Family Service participated in a demonstration project to determine if court social workers would reduce the number of divorces. In 1970 Family Service added a budget counseling service when St. Vincent de Paul ended its program. In September 1, 1972, the day care center was closed due to lack of funds.
