HISTORY

Since 1982, we’ve been helping adults and children with intellectual disabilities reach their highest potential.

Anne Grady Young Resident

HISTORY

Since 1982, we’ve been helping adults and children with intellectual disabilities reach their highest potential.

WHAT WE DO >

Our mission has always been to enable individuals to experience lives of dignity and respect.

In the 1970s, Anne and Walter Grady were among a group of parents and guardians who were desperately seeking residential options for their adult children with intellectual disabilities. Determined to avoid the conditions she witnessed inside state institutions, Anne became a driving force behind the effort. Originally named the DECEM Center, the residence opened in 1982.

Two weeks before Anne passed away in 1988, the Center’s board of directors voted to honor her efforts by renaming it the Anne Grady Center. Today, the organization provides a vast array of services for adults and children with intellectual disabilities, including intermediate care facilities, day programming, supported living, respite, transportation, and outpatient therapy.

Timeline

1976

Our original organization, DECEM, is incorporated to provide residential options for adults with intellectual disabilities.

1982

First individual moves into the DECEM Center.

1988

DECEM’s founder, Anne Grady, passes away. The Board of Directors renames the organization to Anne Grady Center/Services to honor her.

1991

Our first ICF Group home is constructed, and Community Programs begins Supported Living service.

2001

Jack Mixon Natatorium opens.

2003

Respite care for children begins with the opening of Annie’s House.

2006

Day Services programming begins as DISCOVERY Day Program opens on Trade Road.

2008

Community Transit Service (CTS) begins transportation services.

2009

Annie’s House is renamed Noah’s House to honor Noah Mills.

2010

Walter Grady, long-time Anne Grady Foundation Board President and widower of Anne Grady, passes away.

2012

Out-patient therapy programming begins.

2014

Downsizing plan reduces Anne Grady Center from 84 to 53 beds.

2016

Our second Day Services program, Adult Day Program, opens on Glanzman Road.

2019

In May, the first children’s home opens at the Center on the E1 Home.

2019

In July, the Zone group-home construction—a six-bed ICF home and the last home in our downsizing project—is completed. Since the building of our first group home, the Eber Home, Anne Grady added the following ICF homes: Eileen, Everwood, South, Dorr, Hill, and Zone.

2020

The Eber Home individuals moved into the Zone Avenue Home.

2020

Six children living on E1 at the Center moved into the Eber Home.