In 1890, the Elizabeth Day Nursery opened its doors on Spring Street to families who needed care for their young children. Because of overwhelming popularity, larger space was needed, so Peter and Lena Egenolf donated their house on Elizabeth Avenue to the nursery. In 1900, when the nursery became incorporated, the name was changed to honor the Egenolf family for their generous donation. Once again, in 1963, the Egenolf Day Nursery moved to its current location at 725 Newark Avenue and became known as Egenolf Early Childhood Center. The center was expanded and renovated in 2007 to host 10 classrooms with more than 150 children. Egenolf Early Childhood Center was the first program for early care and education in Elizabeth to become accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Today, the center maintains its high standards for early childhood education delivered by state certified teachers under the direction of the 2006-2007 Aletha Wright Honoree for Excellence in Early Childhood Education.

around the desires and needs of the women of Josephine’s Place. Some of the programs offered presently are prayer, support groups, English lessons, parenting groups, health education, knitting, quilting, tai chi, yoga and sewing. The mission is to provide space that will facilitate the empowerment of women. It is based on building a trust that promotes a freedom to be open and honest, promoting an environment in which women are to be respected, and providing a space that will be reflective of the needs of women as they themselves have expressed them.