THE HISTORICAL PLACEMENT OF CHILDREN WHO LEAVE HOME OR WHO ARE ABANDONED BY OR SEPARATED FROM THEIR PARENTS IS TRACED. IN COLONIAL TIMES ALTERNATIVE FAMILY PLACEMENTS WERE THE RULE. IN THE 18TH AND 19TH CENTURIES CHURCHES AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES SET UP A VARIETY OF INSTITUTIONS TO DEAL WITH HOMELESS OR WAYWARD YOUTH. THE MOVEMENT IS NOW BACK TO COMMUNITY FACILITIES OR FOSTER HOMES. GROUP FOSTER HOMES HAVE BEEN STARTED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF YOUNG PERSONS WHO HAVE RUN AWAY FROM THEIR FAMILIES AND WHO, FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS, CANNOT RETURN. TWO SUCH HOMES ARE DESCRIBED IN DETAIL. ONE REMAINED FAITHFUL TO THE IDEALS OF INDEPENDENCE FOR THE YOUNG PEOPLE, SELF DETERMINATION, AND DEMOCRATIC COOPERATION WHICH ANIMATED ITS FOUNDING. THE OTHER, IN A SUBURBAN LOCATION, ESPOUSED THESE PRINCIPLES IN THEORY BUT THE DIRECTOR ABANDONED THEM OUT OF FEAR OF COMMUNITY PRESSURE. THE FACILITY WAS CONTINUALLY BEING INSPECTED BY ZONING BOARDS AND WAS THE TARGET OF COMMUNITY COMPLAINTS. INSTEAD OF SOLVING THESE PROBLEMS DEMOCRATICALLY AMONG THE RESIDENTS, THE COUNSELORS ASSUMED THE ROLE OF SURROGATE PARENTS AND SET UP ASSORTED RULES AND REGULATIONS. THE RESIDENTS REASSUMED THEIR 'REBELLIOUS CHILDREN' ROLES AND TENSION RESULTED. THE DEMOCRATIC HOME MET PROBLEMS WITH NEIGHBORS, DRUG USE, AND HOME MAINTENANCE THROUGH OPEN MEETINGS. A COOPERATIVE SPIRIT PREVAILED AND THE YOUNG PEOPLE ASSUMED RESPONSIBILITY. THE ARTICLE CONCLUDES WITH A DISCUSSION OF THE VALUE OF SUCH HOMES AND REFERENCES.