Don Thibodeau and Carroll Foren knew that there were better options for their children other than Pineland Institute. They decided that the local community is where persons with mental retardation and developmental disabilities really belonged, so they literally started knocking on doors. They knew of other parents in northern Maine who had children with mental retardation or developmental disabilities.
It was 1959 when they put a small newspaper ad in the Star-Herald and the Aroostook Republican which basically stated that any parent who would like to form an association for persons with mental retardation and developmental disabilities to please meet at St. Luke’s Parish Hall in Caribou. Shortly after this meeting took place, 12 incorporators walked into Judge Julian Turner’s office and formed the Aroostook Association for Retarded Children, which was then affiliated with the National organization.
In the beginning years, programs took place in the basement of St. Luke’s Parish Hall. There was no transportation, so parents carpooled individuals to the program. The word got out about this program and it continued to grow.
At this point, it’s probably good to mention that all the instructors were volunteers and that the budget was a few hundred dollars. As the Association grew so did the need for additional space, and the organization moved to the Knight Building, which was part of the Northern Maine Sanatorium that had recently closed. Because similar groups had sprung up elsewhere in Aroostook County, the Association changed its name to the Central Aroostook Association for Retarded Children.
Parents and students were happy in the Knight location until they received a letter from the State of Maine stating that they would have to vacate the building since they were closing it down. Don Thibodeau, Carroll Foren and Carolyn DeGrass jumped into a vehicle, drove to Augusta and walked into the Governor’s office. As they were greeted by his secretary, they simply said, “We’re here to see the Governor.” The secretary pleasantly asked them if they had an appointment. They responded that they hadn’t, but that they had driven down from Aroostook County and needed to see him. Four hours later they were in the Governor’s office pleading their case. By the end of the day, all was well, and the Association continued to stay in the Knight building.
Then in 1967, Carolyn DeGrass heard of state monies for special education that were being returned to the federal government because they had been unused. She and several other parents worked diligently with the state education department to obtain the funds so that the Association could build from the ground up the first school building designed specifically for students with mental retardation and developmental disabilities. That dream became a reality in September of 1967 thanks to the hard work of people such as John Cancelarich, Senator Floyd Harding, Don Thibodeau, Don Allison, Laura Brescia, Lorraine Cox, and Carolyn DeGrass, as the Opportunity Training Center opened its doors for the first time. What a proud moment it was for the Association, Aroostook County, and the State of Maine. It didn’t take long for the school building to reach capacity.
During this time the Association had the foresight to hire Thomas C. Pooler as its Executive Director. Prior to coming to Aroostook County, Mr. Pooler had been a teacher/administrator at Pineland Institute. Since the school became a certified special purpose private school, Special Education teachers and teacher aides were hired. A speech therapist was brought aboard, as well as a social worker. Things went very well at the Opportunity Training Center until some of the students aged out of the program and needed adult programming.
In 1972, after much debate and discussion with the state legislature, the Association was awarded monies to construct a building, the Work Activity Center, for adults with mental retardation and developmental disabilities so that they might attend day programming. Again, shortly after it opened, not only did the building reach capacity, but it also became apparent that these adults needed two types of programming. Some needed fundamental practical life skills and the others needed an opportunity to work.
Within a year and a half, the Association rented a building at Skyway Industrial Park so that it could start a work program. A staff person by the name of Irene Dafonte who had first been hired at the Work Activity Center, transferred to the adult work program where she remained for 40 years serving individuals supported by the Association. In the beginning stages of the work program, the Work Opportunity Center became known as one of the best furniture refinishing businesses in Aroostook County. Many valuable pieces of furniture were hand-stripped by the individuals who worked there.
During this time the Association went through another name change due to a change at the national level, and it became known as Central Aroostook Association for Retarded Citizens.
In 1976, it was determined through an assessment tool that central Aroostook County needed a preschool developmental program. A grant was submitted to the State Developmental Disabilities Office to fund such a program. Funding was approved, and the little log cabin across from Presque Isle City Hall became the home of the Child Development Center. Transportation continued to be an issue for the Association, so they, along with several other social service providers, formed the Aroostook Regional Transportation System, which continues to provide services to us.
We might also mention that in 1972, the Association was very instrumental in promoting the construction of the Aroostook Residential Center, a facility that provided residential support to individuals in Aroostook County. Although the Association did not operate this program, it provided services to the individuals who lived at this Center.
When the Aroostook Residential Center closed its doors in 2004, the Association decided to get into the residential business. It now operates three 2-bed facilities, one companion model, five shared living as well as personal supports in the community. Once again, the Association went through a name change and is now known as the Central Aroostook ARC.
As it developed its adult programs, the Association realized that it had the opportunity to establish several businesses. Currently, the Association oversees County Box & Pallets, which refurbishes wooden pallets for local businesses, the biggest being McCain Foods. This facility is one of the most ergonomically correct pallet manufacturers in the State of Maine and employs 10 individuals with developmental disabilities.
Another up and coming business is the confidential shredding business known as Shreddit. This enterprise currently supports four individuals with developmental disabilities. For years the City of Presque Isle has subcontracted with the Association to provide a labor force in the sorting of paper for the city’s recycling operations.
During these years, the Association has had an active Board of Directors, maintaining a 51 percent membership of parents whose children or siblings attend the Association, and 49 percent being from the Aroostook business community. Recently the reigns have been passed over to Matt McHatten who is doing an excellent job as Board Chair. Prior to that, the Association had been under the great leadership of John York.
Current board members are: Judy Robertson, Vice President; Mavis Towle, Treasurer; Bert Dunphy, Secretary; Mary Coffin, Cathy Cyr, Lisa Dubay, James Dyer, Rebecca Graves, Sheril Lapointe, Galen Rockwell, Keith Sperry, Lynwood Winslow and John York.
Also as a side note in the history of the Association, it has only had three Executive Directors: Thomas Pooler, Paul Cormier for a short tenure, and Stephen Richard.
The Association is very proud that it has been able to support, for the past five decades, persons with mental retardation and developmental disabilities — allowing them to live and thrive right here in the heart of Aroostook County. It continues to look to the future to see what other additional resources might help individuals and their families. From its inception, it has been a parent movement and after almost 50 years, continues with this mission.
