1963Through advocacy by the Campbells and a mandate of the Lanterman Act, the Glendale Unified School District expanded its curriculum to serve the needs of students with mental retardation, ages 6 to 21, and assumed responsibility for their education.
1967As the children grew older, the Association started the Self-Aid Workshop to provide them and other adults with developmental disabilities the opportunity to learn vocational skills through sub-contract work such as packaging, small assembly, bulk mailings, etc. Workers were paid by piece rate. The program also included an adult living skills component, taught by instructors from Glendale Community College. Emphasis was on academics, as well as social and emotional development. Enrollment at that time was eight workers.
1974The Association changed its name to the Glendale Association for the Retarded to reflect services for adults, while not excluding children should a need for youth programs be identified.
1975The Association purchased property on West Glenoaks Boulevard for a new workshop location. Enrollment increased to eighteen workers.
1984In May, the Association received a block grant through the City of Glendale to establish the City’s first non-profit group home to accommodate 10 adults. This was the first new program undertaken by the Association since establishing the workshop in 1967.
1985In June, the organization’s first residential home — Hamilton House — located on west Glenoaks Boulevard opened. The workshop leased an additional 2500 square feet of work space at 1540 West Glenoaks to accommodate increases in contracts and client referrals. Enrollment increased to 44. Concurrently, an off-site work program was developed at Descanso Gardens and the Glendale YWCA. That year, the Association was selected as Organization of the Year by the Glendale Chamber of Commerce.
1987An off-site work program was started at Fidelity Federal Savings.
1988The Association purchased a building and moved the workshop and association headquarters to 6512 San Fernando Road, its current location. The new location offered 8,000 square feet with improved production space, classrooms, speech therapy room, offices and break area. That year, the Glendale Foundation for the Retarded was established for the purpose of raising funds to support the mission of the organization. Soon, annual fundraising events follow, including Derby Day, Bowl-A-Thon, among others.
1989In November, the Association received a $450,000 grant to establish a second group home. The monies received were from the City of Glendale Area Redevelopment Funds.
1991In May, the second home — Alma House — opened, providing a home for six developmentally disabled adults.
1993The Association received a grant from the City of Glendale, the Weingart Foundation, and the California Community Foundation.
1994Combined, the two homes – Alma House and Hamilton House – provide permanent residential care for 16 adults. At the Self-Aid Workshop, 53 adults receive services. Thirty percent of these disabled adults are Armenian immigrants from Armenia, Lebanon, Syria, Iran and Iraq.
1995Grants were received from Wells Fargo Bank and Parsons Foundations to start a Job Development/Job Placement Project to develop individual jobs and enclaves for workshop clients in community work settings. This program allowed the workshop to expand the variety of opportunities and choices available to better meet client needs and preferences. A Multi-Cultural Program designed for the specific needs of non-English speaking, immigrant clients was started.
1997In August, the Association received approval from the City of Glendale for a $498,000 HUD loan to purchase and renovate a third group home on Alma Street.
1999In April, the third home — David Gogian House — was opened, providing a home for six developmentally disabled adults.
2001The first Aktion Club west of the Rockies was chartered in Glendale. An AKTION Club is a community-service group composed of adults with developmental disabilities. The Glendale Kiwanis Club, composed of leading business and professionals from the Glendale community, serves as the club’s sponsor.
2002Pastimes program started for older adults to spend half day in the workshop and half day in community integration.
2003Self-Aid Workshop name changed to GAR Services.
2004The Association celebrates its 50th year anniversary.
