46 years of community service
The Association has been operating for 46 years it has been growing steadily since February 1965 when the first meeting was held at Beamsville Fairgrounds. It was known as the Association for Retarded Children and Adults. In March of that year it began its affiliation with the Ontario Association of Retarded Children.
In 1965 the fledgling Association had started its first school Upper Thirty School with ten students and a pre school started in June 1966 with seven children.
1968 A Day Care Centre was in the planning stages this center would encompass all ages and handicaps. It would become known as The Lincoln Developmental Centre.
The first Festival of Art and The Art Auction began and became an annual event. The Art Festival continues to this day. As well our annual Walkathon began and now includes bicycle riders.
1971 property for the Lincoln Developmental Centre was purchased and with funding from the province it was completed and officially opened on October 5, 1972 with 40 children set to attend.
July 1975 The Association’s first group home opened in Grimsby and provided a home to 5 individuals. Over the past 42 years, many homes have been opened to provide supportive housing to over 55 persons. At present, 13 residences are in existence supporting both children and adults.
ARC Industries began October 1, 1976 this converted the activity program to a sheltered workshop providing employment this was the model used by other associations.
The first SIL (Supported Independent Living) Setting began in 1977 with 2 women moving from a group home to their own apartment.
A green house was stated in 1977 and an addition added in 1981 and a potting shed in 1988.
In 1979 a children’s residence was constructed and was referred to as The Core Residence.
On August 10, 1987 the Association changed its name to Grimsby Lincoln and District Association for Community Living Inc. because “Mentally Retarded” had become a very objectionable phrase.
The Associated Parents Program began in 1988. This program placed children with families in the community and has been very successful . The name was changed to the Homeshare Program in 1993. Today there are 14 Homeshare families sharing their homes with 21 individuals.
1990 Core Residence was changed to Harold P.Latham Centre in honour of Dr. Harold Latham’s 25 year involvement with the association as a local physician and board member.
1995 At the 30th Annual General Meeting it was noted that the association had grown from six people holding a meeting 30 years earlier to a very dynamic organization employing 170 people and providing services and supports to over 300 people and their families.
1996 ARC Industries workshop was closed. The Association embraced a new approach to delivering services that would be more personalized.
1996 The Lincoln Ave Centre was renamed C.D. Hopkins Centre Regional Respite Program began and is very successful.
1998 the agency received a grant that allowed us to form a partnership with the Boys & Girls Club to provide integrated camps and other recreation activities for children.
For the first time in 2000, two individuals were able to purchase their own home with the deed being in both their names. It was a townhouse that they had rented for twelve years. This was a big step for them and the association.
2001 Livingston Resource Centre opened in Grimsby offering day and evening programs as well as a drop in center.
June 2003 Our name was changed to Community Living Grimsby – Lincoln & West Lincoln the purpose for this was to put community living at the beginning to stress the importance of who we are.
2004 A children’s home was purchased and opened on John St. in Vineland.
2005 Marked our 40th anniversary with a gala celebration attended by 300 people.
We are all so very proud of the 46 years of success we have enjoyed. We are currently providing support and services to the following number of people- 107 individuals in day or employment services, 54 adults in our group homes, 6 children in a home, 19 individuals in our Homeshare Program, 23 people in Supported Independent Living, 80 families with young children receiving Family Support, 41 children using the Weekend Respite Program and over 100 people attending our regular recreation and leisure programs. In addition, we also provide after school and summer programs for many children and teens.
