1854
Caroline Plummer cared for her siblings after the death of her parents and knew the many challenges facing children in her beloved and growing city of Salem, Massachusetts. At her death in 1854, Caroline Plummer generously bequeathed more than $23,000 for the founding of a “farm school of reform for boys”.
1855
After Caroline’s passing, ten trustees were appointed to carry out her will. On May 21, 1855, by act of Legislature, the trustees became an incorporated body and established the Plummer Farm School of Reform for Boys (up to 40 boys with a variety of circumstances attended, from a variety of communities).
1867
Built in 1867, the historic Caroline Plummer House has served thousands of young people and remains a beloved part of the Salem community. Historical records and building plans suggest that the upstairs level and basement were constructed from 1869-1899.
Built in 1867, the historic Caroline Plummer House has served thousands of young people and remains a beloved part of the Salem community. Historical records and building plans suggest that the upstairs level and basement were constructed from 1869-1899.
Built in 1867, the historic Caroline Plummer House has served thousands of young people and remains a beloved part of the Salem community. Historical records and building plans suggest that the upstairs level and basement were constructed from 1869-1899.
Built in 1867, the historic Caroline Plummer House has served thousands of young people and remains a beloved part of the Salem community. Historical records and building plans suggest that the upstairs level and basement were constructed from 1869-1899.
Built in 1867, the historic Caroline Plummer House has served thousands of young people and remains a beloved part of the Salem community. Historical records and building plans suggest that the upstairs level and basement were constructed from 1869-1899.
1870
The Plummer Farm School of Reform began as a reform school offering a compassionate alternative to jail that also functioned as a home for boys without families. The youth were ages 5-18, while living at the Plummer Farm they attended school, church, and worked on the farm. The Plummer farm also had its own printing press and marching band.
The Plummer Farm School of Reform began as a reform school offering a compassionate alternative to jail that also functioned as a home for boys without families. The youth were ages 5-18, while living at the Plummer Farm they attended school, church, and worked on the farm. The Plummer farm also had its own printing press and marching band.
1938
In 1938, our name officially changed to Plummer Farm School.
A graduating class from 1939 at the Plummer Farm School.
1958
Our name changed to The Plummer Home for Boys, removing the reform school association from our name. The farm ceased operation and records suggest the boys began attending public school. During this period, we also began narrowing the age range of boys in our care to focus on teenagers.
Our name changed to The Plummer Home for Boys, removing the reform school association from our name. The farm ceased operation and records suggest the boys began attending public school. During this period, we also began narrowing the age range of boys in our care to focus on teenagers.
Our name changed to The Plummer Home for Boys, removing the reform school association from our name. The farm ceased operation and records suggest the boys began attending public school. During this period, we also began narrowing the age range of boys in our care to focus on teenagers.
Our name changed to The Plummer Home for Boys, removing the reform school association from our name. The farm ceased operation and records suggest the boys began attending public school. During this period, we also began narrowing the age range of boys in our care to focus on teenagers.
2006
The Supported Apartments bridge the gap between independent living and transitioning out of residential programs. The additional Supported Apartment program helps young people ages 16–22 as they transition out of group care, work towards independence, and continue to establish their family connections.
The Supported Apartments bridge the gap between independent living and transitioning out of residential programs. The additional Supported Apartment program helps young people ages 16–22 as they transition out of group care and work towards independence, especially when their family connections aren’t fully established.
2010
After analyzing the outcomes of youth who had left our care, we felt concerned that the youth were leaving without permanent families and experiencing hardships in their adulthood years. In 2010, we formalized Plummer’s Intervention and Outcome model. This model focuses on building lasting family connections, essential life skills, and a strong sense of community. We follow these principles to guide our practice to help youth build family connections in a safe, measurable way.
Plummer’s Intervention & Outcome Model focuses on three areas. Our theory is that when young people have all three of these things, they are more likely to succeed as adults.
- Permanency: Every youth has a safe emotionally secure parenting relationship with a life-long, legal family.
- Preparedness: Every youth has the skills and support to meet their physical, emotional, educational, and economic needs.
- Community: Every youth has a safe place to live, a sense of belonging and a chance to positively contribute to the community.
Our top priority is for the highest possible percentage of youth leave our care to a safe, stable, emotionally secure parenting relationship.
2011
We launched a community-based apartment program for youth who turned 18 in DCF custody. Plummer helps the youth find their first apartment, sign their lease and pay all relevant deposits. Plummer allocates each youth a monthly stipend for occupancy costs and helps purchase furniture for the space. The Community Apartments program helps the youth take their first steps towards living independently with Plummer supporting them off site.
In 2011, we continued to grow and diversify our services to help young girls and young women in the foster care system. Plummer originally started as a home for boys, but today we are also proudly supporting girls on their journey to find family.
2012
In 2012, we opened our family foster care program for children and youth ranging in age from birth to age 22. Our foster families are recruited and provided with specialized training and ongoing support from Plummer social workers. We help prospective parents discover the rewarding journey of fostering youth.
2016
We established a training division to make permanency more accessible to youth beyond those in our direct care. We began to provide coaching and sharing best-practice permanency training to fellow child welfare professionals and agencies.
2017
We changed our name to Plummer Youth Promise in 2017 to reflect our commitment to connect young people in foster care or group care with permanent families and the promise of a successful outcome.
2018
In 2018, we developed our Intensive Permanency Services program. Using our permanency best practices, we help young people in group homes and foster families run by other organizations work towards their goals of finding family. We work with the youth on goals of reunification, adoption, guardianship, independent living, and kinship care.
In 2018, we developed our Intensive Permanency Services program. Using our permanency best practices, we help young people in group homes and foster families run by other organizations work towards their goals of finding family. We work with the youth on goals of reunification, adoption, guardianship, independent living, and kinship care.
In 2018, we developed our Intensive Permanency Services program. Using our permanency best practices, we help young people in group homes and foster families run by other organizations work towards their goals of finding family. We work with the youth on goals of reunification, adoption, guardianship, independent living, and kinship care.
2019
In 2019, we began exploring options for a new residence for the young people we serve in Salem. Two geological and site surveys along with two appraisals showed that most of the property was not buildable. After we learned where we could build (only where the original farm buildings stood) – we developed a site plan.
This is the final site plan we developed after researching the layout of the original land.
We established the Permanency mediation program as an alternative to a contested court proceedings for children in the Massachusetts foster care system. Specially trained mediators build and strengthen family relationships and help avoid lengthy and often traumatic court proceedings with youth and families.
We established the Permanency mediation program as an alternative to a contested court proceedings for children in the Massachusetts foster care system. Specially trained mediators build and strengthen family relationships and help avoid lengthy and often traumatic court proceedings with youth and families.
2023
Plummer broke ground on a new trauma-informed residential facility at Winter Island, the first major construction on the site in over a century.
The Plummer house sits on historically significant land which was repeatedly occupied by Native American Groups from the Middle Archaic to the Late Woodland periods and is now part of Salem’s historic district. Following guidance from local historical societies, we conducted an archeological excavation to ensure we were respectfully following land preservation requirements before we could begin construction.
During the archaeological excavation, pre-contact deposits were identified, indicating the land was repeatedly occupied by Native American groups from the Middle Archaic through the Late Woodland periods. Artifacts uncovered included fragments of arrowheads and clay pottery.
During the archaeological excavation, pre-contact deposits were identified, indicating the land was repeatedly occupied by Native American groups from the Middle Archaic through the Late Woodland periods. Artifacts uncovered included fragments of arrowheads and clay pottery.
2025
Plummer’s new residential building is designed to prioritize privacy, dignity, and family connections for youth. The facility offers private rooms, single occupancy bathrooms, ample storage, and welcoming spaces that foster healing, growth, and permanency.
Plummer’s new residential building is designed to prioritize privacy, dignity, and family connections for youth. The facility offers private rooms, single occupancy bathrooms, ample storage, and welcoming spaces that foster healing, growth, and permanency.
Plummer’s new residential building is designed to prioritize privacy, dignity, and family connections for youth. The facility offers private rooms, single occupancy bathrooms, ample storage, and welcoming spaces that foster healing, growth, and permanency.
Plummer’s new residential building is designed to prioritize privacy, dignity, and family connections for youth. The facility offers private rooms, single occupancy bathrooms, ample storage, and welcoming spaces that foster healing, growth, and permanency.
Plummer’s new residential building is designed to prioritize privacy, dignity, and family connections for youth. The facility offers private rooms, single occupancy bathrooms, ample storage, and welcoming spaces that foster healing, growth, and permanency.
