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Our History

Growing with Purpose

Historic black-and-white photo of Hanna Center students smiling together.

History and Key Milestones

Hanna Center feels like a 75 year old startup: focused, dynamic and driven, as multiple programs evolve from vision into service. Building on Hanna’s heritage of educating and caring for trauma-impacted youth since 1945, over the past two years, Hanna has launched a system of care and opened new programs to engage more participants and increase its positive impact.

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2010

2000

1990

1980

1970

1960

1950

1945

February 1, 2024

New residential program for nonpublic high school students in partnership with Hanna Academy is launched.

February 24, 2024

Community Opening of the Recreation Center is celebrated.

April 20, 2024

Hanna’s 75th anniversary is celebrated at the annual Spring Gala.

June, 2024

Hanna’s summer camps return with a splash.

November 12, 2024

The 25th Annual Hanna Center Golf Classic is hosted on Veteran’s Day.

2024

Children jumping into a swimming pool for the launch of a new residential program in partnership with Hanna Academy.

April 23, 2023

Transitional Housing Placement Programs for foster youth are launched.

May 31, 2023

Grand opening of the Community Mental Health Center at Hanna is celebrated.

July 1, 2023

Hanna Academy, a nonpublic, co-ed high school, launches its inaugural year, becoming an independent California public benefit corporation.

August 14, 2023

Hanna Academy has its first day of school as a nonpublic high school.

2023

Building of the Mental Health Hub at Hanna Center, where foster youth programs were launched.

2022

“Hanna Boys Center” becomes “Hanna Center”

2022

Stone sign reading “Hanna Center” after the name change from “Hanna Boys Center.”

April 26, 2021

Cameron Safarloo is appointed CEO of Hanna Center.

2021

January 29-31, 2020

Hanna Institute hosts its first Summit: The Ecology of Resistance.

2020

2016

Hanna Institute is launched

2016

Football players in “Sonoma” helmets representing the launch of Hanna Institute.

September, 2015

A 5-year capital campaign is completed in support of renovated facilities, including Hanna’s new auditorium, alumni building, and sports fields.

2015

March 28, 2012

Opening of the new baseball field is celebrated.

2012

Hanna Center hawk mascot costume during the celebration of the new baseball field opening.

December 6, 2009

Hanna’s 60th anniversary is celebrated.

2009

Two men displaying a giant fish during Hanna Center’s 60th anniversary celebration.

2002

Construction of final group home on campus is completed.

2002

December 4, 1999

Hanna’s 50th anniversary is celebrated.

1999

February 24, 1994

The tennis courts are dedicated.

December 4

The second on-campus group home is dedicated.

1994

March, 1991

The Western Association of Schools and Colleges grants accreditation to Hanna school.

August 28

Residents move into the St. Francis Cottage.

1991

December 3, 1989

Hanna’s 40th anniversary is celebrated.

1989

July 6, 1988

The 2,000th student enrolls at Hanna.

1988

July 7, 1986

Residents move into the new on-campus group home.

1986

February, 1985

Hanna purchases property at 710 Agua Caliente Road.

1985

February 12, 1982

The Santa Rosa group home closes, ending the off-campus group home program.

1982

Two boys sitting outdoors at Hanna Center during the closure of the Santa Rosa Group Home.

May 18, 1974

Alumni Association holds its first meeting.

1974

A lineup of boys with trombones, taken May 18, 1974, when the Alumni Association held its first meeting.

September 6, 1971

Residents move into the Petaluma Group Home.

1971

A chef preparing food in a kitchen, marking the opening of the Petaluma Group Home on September 6, 1971.

September 9, 1970

Governor Ronald Reagan visits Hanna.

1970

December 3, 1969

Residents move into the Santa Rosa Group Home.

1969

March 28, 1968

The Napa Group Home opens.

1968

Black-and-white photo of the Napa Group Home, opened March 28, 1968.

January 28, 1965

The 1,000th student enrolls.

1965

May 24, 1962

The stained glass window is installed in the chapel.

1962

A group of boys in ties stands together on May 24, 1962, when the stained glass window was installed in the chapel.

May 10, 1960

The infirmary building is dedicated.

1960

A boy in doctor’s attire playfully administers a shot to another, commemorating the dedication of the infirmary on May 10, 1960.

September 1, 1955

The trade school building opens.

1955

Students at desks in the new trade school building, officially opened September 1, 1955.

June 20, 1954

Three new cottages are dedicated: Notre Dame, St. Joseph's, and Mt. Alverno.

1954

A birthday cake reading “Happy Birthday Hanna Center” marks the dedication of Notre Dame, St. Joseph’s, and Mt. Alverno cottages on June 20, 1954.

June 11, 1950

The first class graduates.

1950

Smiling boy holding a chicken, representing the first class to graduate on June 11, 1950.

December 4, 1949

First residents move to the new campus. There are three cottages: Rosary, Hill, Loretto, and Mt. Carmel.

1949

Students arriving by bus to the new campus cottages—Rosary, Hill, Loretto, and Mt. Carmel—on December 4, 1949.

September, 1948

Groundbreaking ceremonies held at the new campus location in Sonoma Valley.

1948

A historic black-and-white photo capturing the groundbreaking ceremony at the new Sonoma Valley campus in September 1948.

September 16, 1947

Archbishop Mitty announces the purchase of Morris Ranch property in Sonoma.

1947

March 30, 1946

Articles of incorporation are signed, establishing Hanna Boys Center as a non-profit corporation in the state of California.

1946

January 21, 1945

Archbishop Hanna Center for Boys pilot program opens in Menlo Park, California.

1945

Our History Archive

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