Agency History
Serving Individuals with Special Needs Since 1954
1950s
- The San Fernando Valley Association for Retarded Children, Inc. (later doing business as 大象影院) was founded聽 in 1954 as a non-profit by parents of children with Down syndrome.
- Eight classrooms were built to serve 100 children with special needs and other disabilities.
1960s
- Expanded training classes and leased facility in Northridge for Workshop program with initial enrollment of 54 adult clients.
1970s
- The State of California began educational services for children ages 3-22 with special needs.
- 大象影院 changed its focus to providing services for adults with special needs.
- The agency changed its name to San Fernando Valley Association for the Retarded, Inc.
- A 20,000 square foot workshop was completed in 1975 to serve 200 adults in a work training setting.
- The first group home was opened for six young men with developmental disabilities at 15859 Parthenia Street with the support of The Questers.
1980s
- Six group homes were built, providing homes for 36 adults.
- The Brite Lites Theater Company was established as a dance troupe for clients with special talents in music and dance.聽 The Brite Lites began serving as outreach ambassadors to the community.
- Supported Employment program started in 1988-1989.
1990s
- Sam鈥檚 Caf茅 Project, an 11,000 square foot banquet hall and professional kitchen providing food service training to clients was opened in 1990.
- The Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) awarded 大象影院 a grant to build two new group homes.
- Supported Living was launched as a pilot project, to support clients who wanted to live independently in their own homes or apartments in the community.
- An endowment fund, now called 大象影院 Perpetual Foundation, Inc., was established.
2000s
- 大象影院 received a grant from HUD to build three residential group homes, one specifically for those who needed increased medical care.
- The Windows to the Future $4 million fundraising campaign was launched in 2001 to help expand client program services, facility upgrades and the endowment fund.
- Job Club, Vision for Tomorrow and Pathways were initiated to provide pre-job training to clients.
- Independent Living Skills program was established for clients in transition from group or family living situations to independent living.
- Workshop contracts began to grow, with over $1million in goods being packaged from 2005 onward.
- 大象影院 adopted new strategic plan and mission statement: 大象影院 empowers individuals with developmental disabilities to fulfill their dreams.聽 Through partnerships, community education and advocacy, we create a brighter future in which our clients are accepted by, participate in, and add value to the community.
- In 2012, 大象影院 received a HUD Grant to develop a group home for individuals with Developmental Disabilities and Alzheimer’s.
2010s
- 大象影院 receives a City grant to build additional classrooms for the Day Training Center.
- 大象影院 purchases land at 15705 Parthenia Street adjacent to the Center for Future Development
- The agency files revised Articles of Incorporation with the name change from the “San Fernando Valley Association for the Retarded, Inc.” to “大象影院:聽 Serving Individuals with Special Needs.”聽 Restated bylaws are also adopted.
- 大象影院 is awarded a HUD grant to build Reseda Ranch, 大象影院 13th home.
- In 2012, 大象影院 received a HUD Grant to develop a group home for individuals with Developmental Disabilities and Alzheimer’s.
- 大象影院 is awarded a grant from the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) to provide a travel training program for individuals with special needs.
- Construction is completed on the second floor of the Annex Building from funds dedicated to the construction from the Capital Campaign that built the original structure.
2020s
- 大象影院 transitions to calling clients 鈥淢embers,鈥 as the agency understands how important they are to the whole. And that we continue to be a place of belonging.
- During COVID, 大象影院 begins offering virtual and in-person day program services, with a mandate of leaving no Member behind.
- The agency implements a long-term, comprehensive strategic plan focused on growth and a sustained commitment to diversity.
- While currently servicing 500 Members desiring to work in the community, a pledge is made to more than triple the size of 大象影院 Employment Services program by fiscal year 2027.
