The vision of “a community that welcomes and values all citizens” by the founding members of the Langley Association for Community Living remains the focus of the current Board of Directors.
In the early 1950’s, Woodlands Institution and school was the only source of help for parents of children with special needs. By the mid 50’s, the waiting list had grown leaving school age children at home. This prompted parents to organize, and on July 30, 1959, Langley Association for Retarded Children was incorporated. The Association opened a school in the basement of St. Andrews church September of 1959, while the newly formed education committee advocated for their children to be included into the public school system. The first school administered by the Langley School District for children with special needs was called “Tillicum”.
1960’s
In 1963, the pupils moved from the church site into the new Tillicum School on the grounds of Langley Central Elementary School. A “Mother’s Club” (PAC) was formed in June 1966, establishing parent communication with the school and raising extra funds. In 1969, school age children from Woodlands institution were moved into foster homes in Langley, and began to attend Tillicum School. The Association, in partnership with the Township, planned and supervised the first summer parks program for pre-school and school age children.
1970’s
The Association, together with the Langley School Board, started a work experience program for senior Tillicum students in 1974. In 1975, the Association changed its name to Langley Association for the Handicapped. The need for adult training was recognized so again, parents joined the newly formed Fraser Valley Habilitation and Vocational Society for Retarded Adults and the Ladner Farm Training (also known as Variety Farm). A building was completed on the grounds of Langley Central School and the Langley Adult Training Centre opened. In 1976, a long term lease was negotiated with the Township. Site clearing and preparation began. The original building was moved from Tillicum School to the 232nd Street and 44th Avenue site and Bridge Achievement Centre was chosen as an appropriate name. The Knights of Columbus assisted in the construction of the greenhouse, later turning over the operations to the Association and two employees of the Township who donated Saturdays to assist those who wished to train in greenhouse work. An additional building was developed to expand services and provide an onsite office.
1980’s
In June 1980, a house donated by Langley Memorial Hospital Society was moved to the Bridge site, renovated for adult respite and lifeskills training, and was called “Dainty House”. New Constitution and By-Laws were registered in April 1982 and the Association began to focus on the development of adult pre-vocational training and residential services. A logo and mission statement was designed depicting Bridge Achievement Center as a shelter, with clients on the bridge ready to be participants in our community. Dainty House officially opened for respite occupancy in 1983. In 1984, the greenhouse expanded to two greenhouses.
Brookswood residence opened in 1985. In 1986, a training program (PALTU) was established for potential employees to obtain training by working with Bridge clients in a ground cover nursery. Additionally, a pilot project established opportunities for individual Bridge clients to experience supported employment, as well as to participate in a provincial work crew pilot program.
In 1987, the adoption of the second mission statement read as follows:
The Langley Association for the Handicapped is a non profit community based agency that strives to enhance the quality of life for all mentally handicapped residents of Langley and surrounding communities by providing habilitative and rehabilitative programs. All programs are oriented to the goal of development individual potential to adequately equip trainees for community integration.
The greenhouse amalgamated with the newly developed ground cover nursery. Day programs were developed to serve the residents of Brookswood, as well as two individual contracts. These were based at Dainty House. Two new community based programs began in 1987: Respite Care for Children and Community Lifeskills.
In 1989, Newlands Residence and 5 Corners Residence (formerly Brydon Park) welcomed 8 people returning to Langley from Woodlands. Supported Employment and a Day Program commenced in offices located in downtown Langley, an 8-2 program offered additional support for 8 individuals at Bridge Achievement Center, and, in 1988, employees ratified their first B.C.G.E.U. contract. A federally funded initiative, PALTU (Permanent Alternative to Long Term Unemployment), program continued through 1989 to train inexperienced people to work in vocational and residential settings.
1990’s
Revision of the mission/philosophy statement to read:
Langley Association for the Handicapped is committed to help citizens with mental and/or physical handicaps lead full and meaningful lives in their communities. The Association’s goal is to provide quality service that respects the individual’s dignity and right to self determination.
Plans were underway to provide two additional group homes, which would assist eight more individuals to return to Langley from Woodlands.
The community based programs (Respite, Lifeskills, Supported Employment Services, and the Program Director’s office) moved to the Baytree Office building in Langley. Benz Crescent Residence opened in 1992 and the Association acquired the one acre site known as the Branch Office. This location would meet the needs of the different community based programs, as well as providing the day program requirements for the individuals from Newlands, 5 Corners, and Brookswood homes. Eight residents from Woodlands moved into the Hunter Park and Belmont residences. The Box Shop business was established and a client managed shredding business was initiated. Mandatory membership in C.S.S.E.A. (Community Social Services Employee Association) would now coordinate and support human resource planning with new development and labor relations management within the social services sector.
July 1994 marked the 35th anniversary of Langley Association for the Handicapped. At the Annual General meeting, a resolution passed to change its name to Langley Association for Community Living (L.A.C.L.).
In 1996, the subsidy grant to Bridge Achievement Centre was discontinued. As a result, the greenhouse and woodshop programs would be combined (now called Clubhouse) and the craft area (now called Connections), would be relocated to the Branch site. This restructure would provide people with the opportunities to participate in a broader array of activities including community access, leisure, and supported volunteering. Supported Employment Services was expanded, renamed Partners in Employment, and relocated within the business community at McBurney Lane. HandyDART began to transport participants to and from Bridge and Connections. The day program service for ten individuals was designed to provide three distinct and separate services to respond more effectively to the unique needs of each person. Individuals within the Individualized Services division would receive an array of supports, including residential, day time supports, recreation, respite, and a family care model of support.
In 1998, a planning retreat resulted in a revised mission statement to be presented at the June Annual General Meeting. The spirit of the community is reflected in the new mission statement:
The Langley Association for Community Living supports the participation and inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in the community.
October was proclaimed Community Living month throughout the province of BC. Langley Association for Community Living was chosen as one of the 20 communities to plan and participate in celebrations to increase the public’s awareness of community living. LACL partnered with the Langley Child Development Centre, and organized this event in 1998. In 1999, labor unrest resulted in a three month provincial strike, which impacted the entire operation of Langley Association for Community Living.
An individualized residential contract was initiated to support two ladies in their apartment. Langley Association for Community Living partnered with the Langley Kiwanis Child Development Centre and successfully organized the second annual Community Living Day celebration at William’s Park. Langley Association for Community Living recognized, and informally celebrated, its 40th anniversary as a Society with a dance and BBQ at Bridge Centre. A reflection of the past 40 years and a more formalized celebration was included as part of the Langley Association for Community Living Christmas party, held at Newlands.
2000’s
The process for attaining Accreditation status began. Group day programming was replaced by an Individualized Service model for each individual. The Board and Management developed the following mission statement:
The Langley Association for Community Living supports the participation and inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in the community.
A revised Governance Policy was adopted by the Board. As a result of the Employment Standards Act of December 1998, Bridge Centre and Connections programs would no longer focus on revenue producing activities, but on developing options which enhance personal interests and skills. A residence for two youths was developed.
The Branch Office was sold in 2001. Connections and Lifeskills moved to their downtown location on 56th Avenue. Individualized Day Services remained in the Brookswood area and moved to their new program site on 200th Street. The Woodshop at Bridge Centre received extensive renovation. The Clubhouse program could then provide enhanced opportunities for personal development and recreation for those who attend Bridge. Respite Services for Aging Parents became a reality and hourly and overnight models of service were offered. Dainty House, now known as Bridge House, experienced a complete renovation and is now wheelchair accessible. Families embrace the availability of using Bridge House for respite care. Change and growth was evident at Bridge Centre as the Clubhouse again was renovated to accommodate a new Youth Day Service, now called Explorations, for the six young adults who graduated from High School.
The following four years from 2001 to 2005, were marked with service and support improvements, and Association growth, partially as a result of attaining CARF certification, but also, as the Association focuses on person centered planning, and in supporting families and individuals in the best way possible. The Association continues to be recognized as a creditable and willing partner supporting projects and activities that enhance the quality of life for all citizens of Langley, and thus, contributing to build a stronger community.
Our continual support of families is enhanced as a series of Sibling Support Groups for families who have children with special needs, as well as a group for those individuals who wish to learn about self-advocacy, was facilitated with assistance from LACL. A Parent leadership team meets quarterly to discuss issues of importance to families and individuals. Several families who have Micro Board funding have requested that the Association provide support and services. We have also enhanced our provision of family support services to families who live in Langley, and who may require advocacy or just referral information. Langley Association for Community Living supports a large number of employees, and when possible, we ensure our staff has ongoing professional development opportunities.
Perhaps the most significant change to the history of Langley Association for Community Living is the evolvements of services for people with development disabilities moving from the Ministry of Children and Family Development to the Community Living British Columbia Authority (CLBC). As MCFD turned over their role to CLBC on July 1, 2005, many processes are in transition, and results will be more evident in 2006. Families and individuals with developmental disabilities have shared their stories, their experiences, and expressed their challenges to those who could make changes in the system, and they have been consultants throughout the process of developing CLBC. At this time, we can only trust that those founding parents of local Associations, across BC, will continue to share their vision of all people with disabilities being entitled to the services and support they need to lead full and rewarding lives.
