One of Louisville's oldest businesses and nonprofits celebrates 140 years in the community this month.

Founded in 1883, Family and Children's Place has undergone several name and location changes.

But their mission to end child abuse and neglect remains the same.

Our Kristi Dalton sat down with CEO and President Pam Darnell to discuss the organization's accomplishments over the years.

Family and Children's Place has been a staple in the Louisville community.

How did it all start back 140 years ago?

So all the way back in 1883.

There were a group of just concerned citizens in the community who became very concerned about all the families back then who were living in poverty, even some of them living on the streets with nowhere to go.

And so a group of citizens, mostly the wives of some businessmen and the community became so concerned, they just were compelled to do something.

So they started collecting things that families needed food, clothing, coal for heat, and making sure that families had what they needed, including finding safe, loving homes for children who basically had been abandoned and were living on the street.

So you have been with family and Children's Place for what is now known as Family in Children's Place for almost 30 years.

What changes have you seen in that time?

You know, there have been a lot of changes.

Changes in our community.

Changes in what kids and families need.

But really, the amazing thing really is, is that over that entire history, this entity, no matter what has been called, has always been here to help kids and families who lacked resources, who maybe lived with violence, and really just to help them have what they need so that they can be happy, healthy and safe.

Our mission is to protect and heal children and families.

If you think about it, that's really been an underlying core for 140 years.

So protecting and healing children and families that comes with various services that you all offer.

And I hate for you to pick favorites, but is there one service or one accomplishment that you are extra proud of from this organization?

That is really hard.

I love all of our services.

One of those services that really is directly connected to preventing abuse and neglect of kids is the Hands program.

Just like your hand, because every parent can use a helping hand.

And that service is a statewide service that actually started right here at what is now a family and children's place back in the late 1980s, early 1990s.

The agency back then partnered with the local Louisville Metro Health Department because the agency really wanted to prevent child abuse, especially those youngest children, because unfortunately, the younger the child, the more vulnerable they are.

And so we partnered with the health Department, decided after doing some data and some research, some data review and research, high quality home visiting was found across the country to help parents to have safe, loving, nurturing homes, which of course prevents child abuse.

By 2000, three hands had been developed and it was in every county of Kentucky.

We'll bring you more of this interview with Family and Children's Place CEO and president Pam Darnell, and a future broadcast of Kentucky Edition.