In
1951 Dr. William James Endicott, Trail, BC, made steps
to set up a nonprofit organization called Kootenay Society
for Handicapped Children. Dr. Endicott believed that children
diagnosed with "mental retardation" had the potential
to learn given proper supports. He believed these children
could learn life skills necessary to live outside of the
institutions from their families and communities. The
dream was to keep children home in the Kootenays and offer
them the opportunity to develop to their fullest potential.
The
first day-school for children was set up in a home in
Trail under the sponsorship of Kootenay Society for Handicapped
Children. Over the next five years, there were chapters
established in Nelson, Kimberley, Creston, Cranbrook and
Castlegar. Each chapter was an independent entity and
had its own locally elected Board. Representatives of
each Board joined together and made up the Board of Governors
for the East and West Kootenay region.
In
1955, the BC Association for the Mentally Retarded was
formed. This association represented local and regional
associations in the making of policy and legislation in
all matters concerning the developmentally disabled at
a provincial level.
Dr.
Endicott moved ahead with plans to open a custodial home
and residential school which would house and educate children
with developmental disabilities in the East and West Kootenays.
In 1961, the Society bought a 35-acre parcel of land at
Alice Landing, north of Creston. In 1962, the Board of
Governors bought the Archibald Estate and sold the Alice
Springs property.
In
1965, through cooperative funding efforts of the six KSHC
associations and the provincial government, construction
of a dormitory was completed, able to house 30 children.
In
1970, an adult residence was opened, and a day program
was established which supported its residents in life
skills. Vocational training began in 1972. People were
gaining part-time work in Creston and particpating in
community functions.
In
1975, KSHC changed its name to Kootenay Society for the
Handicapped, s it now provided services to adults as well
as children.
In
the late sixties, the concept of 'Normalization' was taking
hold. Governing officials and staff of the Dr. Endicott
Home and School strived to support this theory by supporting
residents in participating in activities in a more conventional,
natural environment.
In
1977, Dr. Endicott endorsed the change of name from the
Dr. Endicott Home and School to the Endicott Centre.
In
the 1980s the public school system, under great pressure
from families of people with special needs and their advocates,
began to take responsibility for the education of all
children.
The
80's saw the beginning of the closure of the large institutions
in BC, which housed and cared for people with developmental
disabilities under the custodial model. It was the Board
of Governors, along with the staff of The Endicott Centre,
who lent their expertise to assist people in the return
to their communities from Tranquille, an institute in
Kamloops.
Gradually
adult residents of the Endicott Centre moved to their
own homes and apartments. A number of younger residents
moved into foster families.
In
1989, Kootenay Society for the Handicapped changed it's
name to Kootenay Society for Community Living. The philiosophy
statement was revised in 1991 to read:
People
with mental handicaps have a valued roll within society.
The philosophy of equal rights and opportunities had been
adopted in the development of programs and services.
The
Board of Governors of Kootenay Society for Community Living
continues to be a group of volunteers of individuals and
local associations from Creston, Nelson, Castlegar, Trail,
Fernie, Cranbrook and Kimberley.
KSCL
Board of Governors offers information, collaboration on
issues of common interest and advocacy for people with
disabilities and their families. They also host an annual
fall conference which brings people together for information
sharing and socializing.
Each
of the local boards offer a variety of services in their
area, including training programs and assistance to people
with disabilities.
KSCL
Board of Governors offers the Crystal Henson Memorial
Bursary and the Mary March Memorial Bursary to students
who have lived in the Kootenays, offering financial support
people who will graduate from post-secondary education
leading to work with people with special needs.
Many
thanks to Helen Maheu for her compilation of history of
the "Kootenay Society for Community Living, Living the
Dream", November 10, 1997
In
2005, KSCL Board of Governors changed their name to Kootenay
Region Association for Community Living.
|
Summary of Core Values
| Respect and dignity of the person | |
| Independence of choice | |
| Support and guidance | |
| Individualization | |
| Individual empowerment | |
| Improvement and maintenance of quality of life in all services. |
Board Structure
| The KRACL Board is a regional organization for
individuals with disabilities consisting of local associations
and individuals in the East and West Kootenays. The Board
is a legal body, vested with the responsibility of operating
the society in accordance with the BC Societies Act. The Board of Governors is composed of four designated members from each local association, three elected officers (President, 1st Vice President and 2nd Vice President), Past President, committee chairs as appointed by the President and the Regional Director to the BCACL. The Treasurer and Secretary may be elected or appointed. |
Function of Board of Governors
| The function of the KRACL Board is to determine policy, implement selected policies, monitor policy implementation and maintain liaison with government agencies. Members participate in setting directions and making key decisions concerning how our communities respond to our changing situation. KRACL has shifted its focus over the last few years to pay more attention to organizing networking opportunities (in particular our annual Kootenay Conference), collecting and sharing information (our recently released information brochures), and advocacy. |