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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