History

A true friend knows your weaknesses but shows you your strengths; feels your fears but fortifies your faith; sees your anxieties but frees your spirits; recognizes your disabilities but emphasizes your possibilities. ~ William Arthur Ward

At a time when capability was not a unified concept and the term revolution was only defined by soldier memorials, Rev. Walter McCleary's actions brought new meaning to it all. As the founder of The Dufferin Association for Retarded Children in the 1950's, he identified himself as a revolutionary leader by opening the first school for children with developmental disabilities. Although it first operated in the basement of a library, it laid the groundwork for the expansion of the Association, as well as public awareness.

The sixties and seventies were spent developing the Association as it matured and grew into a full-scale organization supporting people with developmental disabilities. Still continuing to serve children, the 1970's saw services for adults beginning, through the joint efforts of Orangeville and Dundalk Communities. These services grew as funding allowed.

The 1970's marked several particularly significant events for the Association. We opened The Joinery, offering woodworking and subcontracting assembly departments. Today, QPAC, quality assembly and packaging, provides work for many people we support on a per piece basis. The Association also opened its first administrative office in the 70's, further promoting the growth of the organization and new opportunities for people with developmental disabilities.

Another momentous development for the organization in the 1970's was the opening of its first group home on Broadway, accommodating eight people. Although it may seem like a small start, the Association, now named Community Living Dufferin, currently runs 12 fully staffed group homes, as well as a family home program. A holding company, known as ITHRON, marked the start of the group home expansion as it enabled the organization to purchase property for its residential service. In the 1980's, Residential Services created the Supported Independent Living program to support people with developmental disabilities who lived in the community and needed life and social skill assistance. This included support with budgeting, social and community connections, legal and medical matters, and accessing resources within the community. A leisure and learning program, Options, fills out the complement of Adult Services, as we know them today. In 2005, CLD received specialized funding to build a home that would specialize in supporting people with Prader-Willi Syndrome.

In 2008 CLD began a drama program, Creative Partners on Stage, with Theatre Orangeville (TOV) which would eventually evolve into a highly unique partnership.

In 2009 TOV and CLD were fortunate to receive a $2.7 million grant from the Communities in Action federal initiative which enabled us to build a new home for both our agencies.

Community Living Dufferin may have begun by focusing on providing education opportunities to children with developmental disabilities, but now offers a wide range of opportunities for both youth and adults. Among the services detailed in Our Services section of CLD's website, the organization also provides opportunities for volunteers and membership. As the organization created these new services, it fashioned a new and brighter vision for itself.