Aunt Martha's Youth Service Center was founded in 1972 as a center that would be concerned with the needs of young people.  Starting with a walk-in counseling center and shelter care for runaways, Aunt Martha's assessed the needs of youth and added programs to meet those needs.

The name “Aunt Martha’s” was chosen because a founding member recalled that when she was a teenager and was having trouble at home she could go to her aunt to air grievances and seek help.  It was hoped that the name would suggest concern and caring and that young people would find at the agency an atmosphere like one finds at the home of a close relative.