Originally founded in 1817 as the Indigent Widows and Single Women's Society of Philadelphia by a group of philanthropic women led by Sarah Ralston to provide a home for older single women who had fallen on hard times.

Ralston Center, as we are now known, is the oldest nonprofit, nondenominational organization in the nation focused on the care and support of the elderly. Ralston creates and delivers relevant programs in support of our mission:

To improve the health and quality of life for older adults in Philadelphia.