Revisiting a Classic, and One of Our Founding Fathers

Abstract

Framed by introductory and concluding comments by Schneider-Munoz and Beker to put it into context, one of the classic speeches by child and youth care work pioneer Albert E. Trieschman is reproduced here in slightly edited form. He describes what he speaks of as two contravening myths that hold sway in the field, the “rescue” myth and the myth of the community as the cure-all, and describes and illustrates how residential group care centers can both build competence and facilitate the reintegration of young people into the community. More than a quarter of a century after these remarks were first delivered (and 18 years after Al's passing), they seem remarkably current and tell us a great deal about the field and its needs, concerns, and potential contributions to the lives of young people and of child and youth care workers alike.