After the closing of the orphanage in 1941, the Children's Bureau began redefining its role in the Indianapolis community. In successive years, adoption and foster care would remain key components, but the Bureau would also expand its services to include group homes, transitional living, and, as private and public money became available, a multitude of programming for "vulnerable"  children.

1962: The auxiliary sponsors an Indianapolis 500-Mile Race gala, its first charity ball at Riverside Park. (Right)  >> Foster parents were important to the Children's Bureau's program. Here Director James Mallon (right) chatted with Mr. and Mrs. Earl Cook in 1962.

1964: Since 1959 the number of children and adolescents served by the Children's Bureau has increased dramatically The number of unwed mothers has risen 111 percent, to 346; the number of children placed for adoption is up 109 percent. There are 1,495 children receiving some care and 571 receiving full care, up 82 percent and 38 percent respectively. <<  (Left) Mrs. Carr, a member of the auxiliary shared a moment with foster parents Mr. and Mrs. William Jones at a foster parents meeting in January 1962.

The War on Poverty is declared. This is a cornerstone of President Lyndon Johnson's vision of a Great Society. Over the next three years, laws will be passed to help alleviate poverty. 1965:
The auxiliary's mission is "to assist the Board and the Staff of the Children's Bureau by interpreting the work of the Bureau to the community, providing volunteer assistants, and raising funds to augment the program of the Bureau."   During the year, 28 children are adopted; 13 are minority children: 9 black, 3 Indian, and 1 "interracial."

1966: The outstanding concern of this year was the need for more applications from Negro couples interested in adoption. (Right)  >> Mrs. George H. Maley and Mrs. Richard O. Creeden prepared for the Kiltie Karnival, a fundraiser for the Auxiliary to the Children's Bureau, May 1966.

<<  (Left) In 1967 the Children's Bureau had 11 healthy black babies available for adoption but no potential parents.

(Right)  >> The Lamberts excitedly fed their adoptive daughter in April 1967. Over the next few years, the number of white babies available for adoption dropped dramatically.

1968: The auxiliary hosts its annual Thanksgiving party for foster parents and a Christmas party for children. Members again sponsor an annual dance and carnival at Riverside Park on the eve of the 500 Mile Race to raise money for art classes, dancing lessons, scholarships, and other enrichment activities for children. <<  (Left) In a landmark case in 1968 Audrey Oliver became the first single parent to legally adopt a child in Indiana.

1969:
Mallon House for adolescent boys opens. It is named for director James Mallon's son, who was killed in Vietnam. By 1969 the Children's Bureau has placed more than 30 children from different Indian tribes across the United States as part of the CWLA Indian Adoption Project. Auxiliary members attend the annual Child Welfare Leagues central region conference in Pittsburgh to learn what others in the field are doing. They are the only auxiliary members to do so. 1970:
Evans House, a private home on the north side of Indianapolis, is donated to the Children's Bureau as a home for unwed mothers. It has facilities for as many as 10 girls and house parents. It also has a hospital room for emergencies. Members of the auxiliary establish one-on-one relationships with these girls through activities such as shopping trips. Evans House is an open home, meaning that it has fewer restrictions than traditional facilities for unwed mothers. It "de-emphasizes family life because most babies are put up for adoption." Adoptive homes are found for 153 children, the highest number in the history of the agency to date. The number of children available for adoption will decrease hereafter as more unmarried women choose to keep their children. The auxiliary sponsors the Peru (Indiana) City Circus "Big Top Twirl"  dance at the Coliseum on the eve of the 500-Mile Race. It replaces the annual Riverside Park soiree.