The Florence Crittenton Home and Rescue Association was a national movement that found its way to Pittsburgh at the turn-of-the-century. Founded in 1895 by Kate Waller Barrett, a Virginia physician, humanitarian, philanthropist, sociologist and social reformer, its stated mission was helping the "outcast woman" who lacked education and social opportunity.
Barrett opened the first rescue home in Atlanta where she joined forces with Charles Nelson Crittenton, a wealthy New Yorker who joined her in the creation of safe havens for fallen women. The idea was to give women an alternative to prostitution. Later the mission shifted to support the plight of unmarried mothers in the early 20th century.
Pittsburgh was home to six rescue homes, which were established beginning in 1895, according to The Directory of the Philanthropic Agencies of the City of Pittsburgh. When the homes closed in 1975, the assets were used to establish this fund to offer continued support to "needy young girls and women."