Cathy Hudson, left, and Selina Assenov from Community Living Tillsonburg were at the Tillsonburg Town Centre to inform the public about the organization’s 70th anniversary. Numerous activities are planned throughout the year to mark this special occasion. (Jeff Helsdon Photo).
A lot has changed since Community Living Tillsonburg was founded 70 years ago.
The organization aims to “build inclusive communities by promoting acceptance” and started a series of events on Feb. 28 to kick off its 70th anniversary celebrations with a display in the Tillsonburg Town Centre.
“May is community living month,” said Community Living Tillsonburg CEO Cathy Hudson. “We light up the town with blue and green – those are our colours. We’re planning a scavenger hunt for everyone that month.”
Other upcoming events include an exhibit at Annandale National Historic Site during Turtle Fest, a cash calendar fundraiser in June, sponsoring the Business After 5 event by the Tillsonburg District Chamber of Commerce in August, and recognizing developmental service workers’ month in September as well as early childhood educators’ month in October.
“We’re looking forward to connecting with other community happenings and having a larger presence,” Hudson said.
Back in the early 1950s, options for individuals with developmental disabilities were mostly limited to large institutions. Change began around the mid-1950s.
“Seventy years ago, families banded together seeking support for their children,” Hudson stated. “At that time, if you had a child diagnosed with disabilities, many doctors suggested placing them in an institution. Many families didn’t want that.”
In 1955, family efforts led to forming the Tillsonburg and District Association for Retarded Children. The first privately-funded classroom was located on Washington Grand with four students and one teacher. With help from Rotary Club members, Rotary Westmount School opened on Concession Street in 1959.
Over two decades, programs providing employment opportunities for adults with disabilities emerged along with housing options. A workshop was established in 1965 on Brock Street offering jobs and training for adults with disabilities. Starting small with four adults and one supervisor, it quickly grew to fourteen workers along with a long waiting list. In response, ARC Industries opened on Queen Street where Upper Deck Youth Centre is now located.
In 1970, the association acquired a 100-acre farm north of Tillsonburg for $40,000 to create more job opportunities. Pick-your-own strawberries and corn along with greenhouse operations provided work at what became known as Arcwood Acres. Two years later saw the construction of Arcwood Acres residence aimed at helping adults live independently.
By the early ’80s, residents transitioned from Arcwood Acres Residence into group homes and apartments within town while Arcwood Acres continued serving residents needing higher levels of care.
With South Ridge Public School opening in 1981 came special education programs integrated into mainstream settings. That same year also marked Arc Industries moving to Concession Street East adopting a more industrial approach; by then ceramic Christmas trees made by Arc gained popularity while farming operations began winding down.
Following provincial trends prompted changing their name to Tillsonburg & District Association for Community Living back in ‘88
‘ Fast Forward into The ‘90s And New Millennium A New Attitude Set Out To Bring Individuals With Challenges Into Mainstream Both For Adults And Kids Group Homes Eventually Became Obsolete And Now Challenged Adults Are Supported In Their Own Homes Having Jobs Within Their Communities During This Period They Also Changed Their Name To Community Living Tilisonburgh ‘
‘ At Present Time Today Over Three Hundred People Receive Support From Community Living TIlisonburgh Which Employs Approximately One Hundred Thirty Staff And Manages The TIlisonburgh Children’s Center Located Inside Livingston Center
‘ TIlisonburgh Is A Wonderful Place To Have Grown Within Over Seventy Years Said Hudson The Kindness Of This community Welcomes All Types Of Individuals While Valuing Inclusion At Every Level Throughout Their Seventieth Year They Hope To Emphasize These Great Achievements While Promoting Future Growth And Partnerships For Many Years Ahead
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