History

Two Communities – One Vision

From the beginning, parents of children with intellectual disabilities were looking to support their children in the communities where their families lived. Those were the days where there were no public school options and separate schools and sheltered work were more the norm. Through time families advocated for more inclusive education and large congregant living situations were dismantled. Living and working in the community became the expected norm to strive for.

  • 1950’s and1960’s: Parents in Dryden and Sioux Lookout began gathering to establish supports in both communities for their children.
  • 1968 and 1974: Associations were incorporated in Dryden and Sioux Lookout respectively to support adults with intellectual disabilities.
  • 1973: ARC Industries officially opened on 280 Arthur Street,Dryden
  • 1975: Davis-Wood Place was opened in Dryden, housing fifteen (15) people.
  • Muriel Boyle Centre opened in Sioux Lookout housing 15 people.
  • 1976: Life Skills/Culture and Recreation programs established in Sioux Lookout.
  • 1978: A Work Adaptation program established in Sioux Lookout.
  • 1983: The Community Living Skills program was started in Dryden.
  • 1988: Supported Employment Program started in Sioux Lookout.
  • 1985: Community Volunteer Connections was formed as a way to link volunteers and developmentally disabled adults who have common interests.
  • 1990: Volunteer Community becomes incorporated.
  • 1990’s: Sheltered Workshop ended and community contracts began in Dryden.
  • 1992: Muriel Boyle Centre closed in Sioux Lookout and people moved to live in the community.
  • 1998: The Family Home program was initiated in Sioux Lookout.
  • 1998: Davis Wood Place closes down due to toxic mold issues. Four group homes are relocated in the community as a result.
  • 2000: The Ojibway Provincial Park partnership began in 2000 with Community Living Sioux Lookout.
  • 2004: The MMW Video Conferencing Project was piloted iin Dryden and Sioux Lookout, linking the agencies to clinical and psychological support services from Surrey Place Centre in Toronto. This was established in 2006.
  • 2001: The Healthy Generations Family Support Program joined Community Living Sioux Lookout, supporting children and families living with Fetal Alcohol spectrum disorder.
  • 2006: Family Home Program started in Dryden.
  • 2005: Community Living Sioux Lookout hosted the Community Living Ontario Conference bringing delegates to the North for the annual event.
  • 2009: Community Living Dryden-Sioux Lookout was formed through an amalgamation of the two agencies.
  • 2016: Day Programs renamed – Community Inclusion Hubs with activities based in the community.
    As an organization we are still on a journey as we seek to live our vision: No Barriers . . . Just Life. Full inclusion as participating citizens of the community is our dream for all. Together with those we support we are making that dream a reality. More and more people are living and working in the community.