The Lucy Idol Center for the Handicapped, Inc. is a day treatment habilitation center located on the shores of Lake Erie in Vermilion, Ohio.
Lucy Joyce Idol, Founder of The Lucy Idol Center
In 1954 Lucy Joyce Idol, a Vermilion Kindergarten teacher, began working with mentally challenged children after school in the basement of Vermilion’s Congregational Church. She was one of the first individuals to take on this challenge of special education.
As word of her efforts spread, more parents brought their mentally and physically challenged children to Mrs. Idol for assistance. To fit the needs of her larger clientele, she enlisted the aid of volunteers and teachers and began raising funds for their own facility.
By 1969 donated land by a local business man, Richard Konik and generous contributions had afforded, building materials, and labor for a five-room, brick facility. The construction of the building was designed to facilitate use by the disabled, presenting no architectural barriers. The new facility was christened “The Lucy Idol Center”.
The same local generosity, a community effort of donations, time, and labor, permitted the addition of three classrooms and a storage building ten years later. Donations and fundraising events directed by The Lucy Idol Center and various community organizations were the Center’s main means of satisfying operating expenses.
In 1994 a large activity room was added to the existing facility. The existing garage was renovated into new offices in 2003 and the structures were funded by donations, grants, fundraising events, and interest from The Lucy Idol Endowment Fund.
Most of the Center’s clients have been mentally and/or physically challenged since birth. Because of the Center’s comprehensive programs, even exceptionally difficult and multiply challenged individuals receive opportunities for social and intellectual advancement. Community contributions have funded years of specialized program services. Caretakers are provided with an extensive network of support.
History Time Line:
- Program founded in 1954 by Lucy Joyce Idol. Lucy recognized the need for services for people with mental & physical disabilities. There were no other programs available at that time. She organized and provided a daily program for disabled individuals.
- There was no building to provide services. Programs were held in the Vermilion Town Hall & the Congregational Church of Vermilion, The Lutheran Church of Vermilion, and the Baptist Church of Vermilion until 1969 when land was donated by the Richard Konik family.
- Parents, friends, organizations, labor unions & businesses donated their time & materials to build a building. The building was constructed completely through donations & was completed in September 1971. Our friends and neighbor the Lorain Ford plant employees donated a new van that was the beginning of the center developing a fleet of vehicles for transportation services. An addition of 3 classrooms & a 3-bay garage were completed in 1979 through donations.
- The Center operated on a 4-day work week from 1982 - 1990. There was a lack of funding and the Center cut 1 day of service instead of cutting staff. It was better to have 4 good days of service since every staff member needed to provide quality one-on-one services. .
- 1980 the Center was certified by the Ohio Dept. of Mental Health and in 1997 the Center was certified by the Dept. of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities to receive Medicaid income through the Community Alternative “CAFS” Program.
- The Center celebrated 40 years of service in 1994 and a large activity room was constructed & completed through grants & donations. The Center was also able to have the parking lot blacktopped for clients so that they could move freely in wheelchairs over a smooth surface.
- In 1999, with Lucy Idol Center Endowment Income, property to the west of the existing building was purchased to make a parking lot and easier access to the main road to the Center. In 2001 the Center also purchased land to the south of the building in the same manner.
- In 2003 The Lucy Idol Center renovated the existing garage into new offices to help become HIPPA (privacy) compliant and create a new main entrance to the building. A new pole barn was also constructed to house the vans and client equipment such as wheelchairs, hospital beds, walkers and etc.. The Center loans wheelchairs and adaptive equipment to any member of the community who has a need.
- In 2004 the center celebrated fifty years of services with a community open house.
- In 2005 the Center received a $35,000 foundation grant to purchase a new van and the Ohio Dept. of Transportation also awarded a grant to receive a new state vehicle.
- In 2006 the Center received a three year accreditation for Day Treatment: Intergrated DD/Mental Health (Adults) with Governance Standards Applied by CARF (Commission of Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) an international organization. This achievement is an indication of dedication and commitment to improving the quality of the lives of persons served. Services, personnel, and documentation clearly indicate an established pattern of practice excellence.
The Lucy Idol Center for the Handicapped, Inc. continues to provide quality comprehensive services to individuals with multiple disabilities.
