Abbey Industries Open

In March 1973, Ontario ARC moved both the State Street and Exchange Street programs to 75 E. North Street in Geneva.  At the suggestion of Janice B. Boyle -- a board member at the time -- the facility was named Maxine Abbey Industries, after the Chapter's founder, who started the local movement for individuals with developmental disabilities.

"Clients" -- as they were referred to during this time -- at Maxine Abbey Industries received a wide variety of services to assist individuals pursue their own personal vocational goals.  Adult basic education, evaluation, job and personal adjustment training, transportation, placement services, as well as recreational activities were offered.  The focus was not only on work and job-related practices, but to also help individuals become active members of their local communities.  To stress this point, the Board of Directors officially changed the name of the workshop to Abbey Industries and Training Center in order to "give clients a better identity" while strengthening business relationships and reinforcing the idea of person-centeredness.

Eventually, the agency began to outgrow its East North Street facility -- as children served began to grow up, they wanted to receive services from Abbey Industries and Training Center.  By the end of the 1970s, the Board of Directors began to move forward with a plan "to seek funds to establish a new and enlarged training facility in a central location of the county..."  Ontario ARC located a spot on County Road 46 in Hopewell and began building in 1982.  Less than a year later, the agency moved into its permanent home -- where it currently resides -- at 3071 County Complex Drive.