welcome to five acres
Since 1888, Five Acres has been dedicated to protecting the most vulnerable members of our community children. What began as an orphanage in downtown Los Angeles, providing safety for children without a home, has grown into a comprehensive organization focused on healing.
Today, we support children and families navigating the effects of abuse, neglect, and trauma with care that prioritizes both well-being and mental health.
Now serving more than 7,000 children and family members each year across six counties, our goal is simple but powerful: permanency a safe, stable, and loving home for every child. Our work is grounded in three core pillars: safety, well-being, and permanency, which guide every program and every step forward.
As a designated Family Resource Center, Five Acres provides community-based, culturally responsive services that strengthen families and prevent child abuse and neglect. Through collaboration and evidence-informed care, we work alongside families to build stability, resilience, and lasting change. Source: California Welfare & Institutions Code Section 18951(g)
safety
Since 1888, children’s safety has been the foundation of everything we do. Through mental and behavioral health counseling, Five Acres helps children and families heal from trauma, so every child has the chance to grow, thrive, and experience the stability of a loving home.
well-being
Strong, supported families are more likely to stay together and thrive. At Five Acres, we believe that with the right prevention and intervention resources, families can build stability, resilience, and lasting well-being.
permanency
Five Acres is committed to creating stability by connecting children with safe, permanent, and loving families. In a nurturing home, children can rebuild their sense of belonging and begin to grow and thrive.
Five Acres Timeline
1888 – Five Acres opens its doors in downtown Los Angeles
1921 – Five Acres moves to five acres in Altadena. Famed architect Myron Hunt commissioned to design the facility
1957 – California Alliance of Child and Family Services founded by Five Acres
1965 – Five Acres Auxiliary established
1981 – Five Acres Therapeutic School for severely emotionally disturbed children opens
1985 – Five Acres initiates Community-based services
1988 – Foster Care Program
1990 – Community Deaf Services Program
Five Acres Children’s Guild established
1998 – Contract with LA Department of Mental Health
2000 – Adoption Agency License and Program
Community Based Program
Therapeutic Behavioral Services Program
2001 – Five Acres builds Arts & Education building
2004 – The Grace Center Domestic Violence Program becomes an affiliate of Five Acres
2006 – Adoption Promotions Support Services Program
Wraparound Program
2007 – Pasadena Mental Health Center becomes an affiliate of Five Acres
2008 – Intensive Treatment Foster Care Program
2009 – Zeilstra Research & Training Center is established
2011 – Chanel Boutakidis appointed CEO
2013 – Five Acres celebrates 125 years
2018 – Five Acres celebrates 130 years
Five Acres Day, March 12, is officially declared by LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger
2020 – Worldwide COVID Pandemic started. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2022, Five Acres rapidly transitioned most non-residential services to telehealth and expanded our technology
2021 – The Family First federal reform was announced and Five Acres pivoted to meet the new federal guidelines allowing to continue providing mental health services to children that have been traumatized
2022 – Five Acres was the first child welfare organization to negotiate a CalAIM contract with healthcare
2023 – Five Acres celebrates its 135th anniversary
2025 – Five Acres launched its Wear Your Heart initiative to increase access to early mental health support through parent education, resource linkages, referrals, and multilingual outreach.