Adult Day Activity Center
Later became Madison Haywood Developmental Services
Historical Timeline
1971 – October – Services are provided on a voluntary basis at West Jackson Baptist Church according to a January 14, 1973 article in the Jackson Sun quoting original Director, Bob Ellis. The program served 5 persons one time per week.
1972 – Program on trial basis at North Side United Methodist Church for two days a week
1972 – June 1 – ARC (Association of Retarded Citizens) is chartered. The Adult Activity Center opened its doors located at Calvary Cumberland Presbyterian Church with 4 full-time and 1 part-time staff and 5 clients for 5 days a week
1972 – July 11 – Richard Morford, President of Jackson-Madison County ARC plans organizing meeting for a multi-disciplinary center. Those invited include Dr. Coleman, Hazel Lipscomb, Steve Roth, TN Department of Human Services, Title XX and others.
1972 – Bob Ellis hired as 1st Executive Director.
1972 – August 8 – $4,250 Grant from the TN Department of Mental Health approved and program moved to North Side United Methodist Church.
1972 – August 16 – State of Tennessee issues charter for Developmental Disabilities Corporation which encompasses 4 agencies: Adult Activity Center, Happy Hollow School, Cerebral Palsy Center, and Jackson Enrichment Center.
1972 – September 1 – Agency moved to rented house at 120 Hollywood. Clients increased to 16 ranging in age from 17 to 63.
| ORIGINAL CLIENTS | ORIGINAL STAFF | |
|---|---|---|
| Linda Birmingham Regina Mooney Gene Neese Bobby Johnston Gene Cantrell |
Bob Ellis Hilliard “Rookie” Murphy Sylvia McDaniel Polly French Louise Rudisell |
|
| EARLY CLIENTS | 1ST SOCIAL WORKER | 2ND SOCIAL WORKER |
| Kenneth Mebane Sonny Jones Larois Surratt Rick Warmath Monda Johns |
Sandra Lawson | Nancy Morgan |
1972 – November – Clients begin a Special Olympics bowling league at Malco Lanes with the team name The Adult Activity Center Rockets along with the Happy Hollow Hornets
1972 – Dec 20 – Request to County Judge, Walter Baker Harris requests a $10,000 grant for one year’s operation of June/July Summer School – $2,000; purchase/maintenance of vehicles for transportation – $3,000; and establishment/operation of workshop – $5,000.
1972 – Dec 28 – Benefit Dance at the National Guard Armory headlined by Ace Cannon
1973 – Summer program at Highland Park
1973 – April 19 – Letter sent from Hazel Lipscomb, Director of Developmental Disabilities Programs for the Tennessee Department of Mental Health indicating the planning group may apply for final funding of the new center with a targeted dedication date of July 1, 1976.
1975 – Moved to vacant Church on Glendale before beginning construction at Garland.
1974 – Feb 1 Level III Female Group Home opens its first location at 450 North Royal Street
1975 – April 1 Level III Male Group Home opens at 109 Allen Street in Bemis
1976 – The center broke ground on its current Jackson location at 38 Garland Drive.
1977 – October 1 – Agency began occupancy of 38 Garland Drive. The enlarged facility allowed for additional persons to be served and expanded the scope of work they could engage in.
1977 – October 24 – Bill Brewer (2nd Executive Director) began employment.
1978 – January 1 Level IV Male home opens on 907 West King Street in Lambuth College area
Enjoy a slideshow of images taken during the 70’s.
[soliloquy id=”5659″]