Home Away From Home (2009) is another edited collection by Richard B. McKenzie.

In this collection with 10 chapters, the history of orphanages is covered, from the days of the Roman Empire through to American examples & from when the orphan train was seen as an alternative to residential institutions.

According to the authors, & in contrast to the current situation of instability in foster care, what historical orphanages did offer was routine, stability, & community.

As with the earlier Rethinking orphanages for the 21st century (1999), the discussion was prompted by a public debate about orphanages during 1994, much of it, says McKenzie, focused on stereotypical & negative views of orphanages. Contrary to popular opinion, he said, he wasn’t as “badly damaged” from his own orphanage experience as the population expected him to be.