The 60s

Schooling remained a central concern for the Association throughout the 1960's. The number of students attending the Mary Jane School peaked during the first few years at 11. In a brochure, it is noted that "42 volunteer helpers took care of the children every day." Need for more space necessitated a new site and the former Nolan School was acquired.

Extensive renovations were made after a successful appeal to the community for funds. This was also a time when several children, some 12 years of age and younger, went off to live and be schooled at Cedar Springs, the newly built provincial facility near Blenheim. By 1965, the province passed a School Board Authority Act which effectively transferred properties and educational responsibilities to government. The Association retained the right to monitor school programs. Jim Brunt became the Association's representative to the Kent County Board of Education, a position held until 1989. It was hoped that these changes would enable children to receive a more comprehensive education and one that would ensure better and brighter futures for all children. In October, 1968, the Association officially opened a new location for the Mary Jane School on Water Street.

It was in 1960, through the penmanship of noted author and columnist Pierre Berton, in a stinging attack on the deplorable conditions at the Ontario Hospital School-Orillia, that Ontarian's became aware of the plight, the filth, the stench and the lack of programs offered at the by now expanding centers set up to house thousands of persons with developmental disabilities. Shortly after Mr. Berton's condemnation, OARC was instrumental in having the province "downsize" its newest facility, Cedar Springs, from 2400 beds to 1000 prior to its opening in 1961.
    
The need for improved and reliable community services was heightened throughout the 1960's. OARC, the provincial group emphasized this direction by entitling its 1963 annual conference, "Full Community Citizenship for the Retarded." By now a national coordinating group, the Canadian Association for the Mentally Retarded was well underway. During the 1960's they undertook to develop expertise and leadership by launching a National Crusade - a series of 14 pilot projects across Canada aimed at encouraging technical and professional expertise and new types of services.

In the years to follow, the Ontario government passed the Vocational Rehabilitation Act and the Homes for Retarded Person's Act. In 1960, there were workshops in only four Ontario centers: London, Toronto, Barrie and Oshawa. By the end of the decade, there were 84. In 1966, the Wallaceburg association opened its first adult training center. Referred to for years as ARC Industries, its founders and first staff, Carmen Poole and Elizabeth Brunt provided work instruction for five adults. Through their efforts, businesses were canvassed for work and the "trainees" as they were called, were kept busy and happy learning various craft work. Once again, the Association went to the community and a facility was provided by Trinity United Church. Increased demand dictated a need for larger facilities; Gillard Street Church came to the rescue by offering its basement.

Funds to run the activities of fledgling programs in Wallaceburg and throughout Ontario were difficult to obtain. The province was slow to respond to requests from organizations and families that their children, who were remaining in the community, be supported as those who went off to "hospital schools." Locally, the group became very involved in fundraising activities. Bake sales, walk-a-thons and raffles became an almost everyday activity. OARC became more sophisticated in its fundraising and public education campaigns. In 1961, an 18 hour province-wide telethon raised over $190,000. And in 1969 in Wallaceburg, after three years of fundraising, $30,000 was collected and put toward the purchase of the Association's first workshop building at 212 Elizabeth Street.