Organizational Milestones Throughout the Years
1960s: Laying the Foundation
Our story began with community visionaries and a commitment to supporting children with special needs in Niagara.
- 1964: Niagara Children’s Centre, chartered by May Court Club, Rotary Clubs, and Port Colborne Lions Club, was named Niagara Peninsula Crippled Children’s Society
- Operated from St. Catharines General Hospital and Hotel Dieu, serving 43 children
- 1965: Officially incorporated with Dr. William Orr as founding chairman
- 1969: New building; current Glenridge Avenue location in St. Catharines
1970s: Expanding Facilities & Services
To meet growing demand, we expanded our physical space and strengthened partnerships.
- Demand for therapy and education services grew
- 1978: Opened therapeutic pool and gym to better support physical rehabilitation
- Strengthened partnerships with healthcare providers and local schools
1980s: Growing Programs & Partnerships
We broadened our reach with new services and welcomed future professionals into our Centre.
- Expanded mandate to serve children with speech and language delays
- Welcomed co-op students from Brock University, Niagara College, and local high schools
- Commenced provision of Resource Consultant Services, in conjunction with Niagara Region Children’s Services
1990s: Transformational Growth
This decade marked a turning point in our capacity, philosophy, and provincial role.
- Began serving children with developmental delays
- 1996: Completed $4.8M redevelopment project, expanding and modernizing facilities
- Capacity increased to serve 3,000 children and families annually
- Led the design and implementation of a regional Preschool Speech and Language system; subsequently named lead agency
- Formally adopted a Family-Centred Care approach
- Founding partner of Quality Child Care Niagara with Niagara Region Children’s Services
2000s: Leadership in Early Intervention
We became a leader in early intervention, guiding system-wide improvements across Niagara and provincially.
- Participated in provincial committees, focused on early intervention
- Partnered with local organizations to enhance early identification and prevention. Created the Joint Implementation and Planning Committee
- Reorganized clinical services into multi-disciplinary programs, leading to improved integration and coordination of services for families
- Launched Early Literacy initiative; organized annual provincial early literacy conference
- Infant Hearing program was launched and operated out of our Centre
- Partnered with Brock University to offer a clinical analysis of communication disorders course
2010s: Innovation & Expansion
A focus on innovation and family engagement drove service growth and deeper impact.
- Introduced new services: recreation therapy, behavioural consultation
- Launched family engagement initiatives: advisors, mentors, online support
- Awarded provincial pilot project for SLP services, integrating community and school-based services.
- Brought fundraising in-house, enabling revenue and program growth
- Transfer of School-Based Rehabilitation Services (SBRS)
- from HNHB LHIN
- Established on-site Complex Care Clinic in partnership with McMaster Children’s Hospital
- Served ~3,000 children annually with 90+ staff
- Partner in Niagara’s Coordinated Service Planning program
2020s: Adapting & Advancing
In a decade defined by challenge, we embraced innovation, accessibility, and expansion.
- Shifted to virtual therapy and telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Began to directly deliver School-Based Rehabilitation
- Opened satellite locations to improve accessibility across Niagara
- Received significant government investments for program expansion
- Serving 6,000 children annually with 145 employees
- Implemented new programs:
- Ontario Autism Program (Caregiver-Mediated and
- Entry to School)
- Special Needs Resource Consulting
- Extensive Needs Program
- Infant and Child Development Program