The city has long had a history of philanthropy and charity, dating back to its founding. The city's founding families were quakers that were very interested in charitable causes like the care of orphans and helping runaway slaves. They were members of the
Society of Friends whose members were the likes of William Penn. In 1865, the Society of Friends founded the
Camden Home for Friendless Children. Since that home was segregated, the Society of Friends opened the
West Jersey Colored Orphanage in 1874.