Our History

From Dreams to Reality

Conceived by a group of visionary parents of developmentally challenged individuals, Parents For Community Living was incorporated in 1989 as a non-profit charitable organization.

1986 The first gathering of parents to seek out how to best meet the challenges of providing for their adult children when they would be along in the world.

1988 With the generous financial support from local businesses, individuals and the Catholic community, the first home was purchased on Blueridge Avenue in Kitchener. The Blueridge house now provides a home for four adults.
1992 With a significant estate donation and financial support from the Ontario Ministries of Housing and Community and Social Services, a second home was purchased on Crimson Crescent in Waterloo. The Crimson house now provides a home for four adults.

1993 A Supported Independent Living (SIL) apartment supporting two men opened on Queen's Boulevard in Kitchener.

1997 A Supported Independent Living apartment supporting two women was opened in the Crimson home.

With financial support from the Ministry of Community and Social Services, a third home was purchases on Stanwood Drive in Waterloo. The Stanwood house now provides a home for four adults.

1998 PCL hired a Managing Director and an Executive Director to provide management and leadership to the growing organization.

1999 PCL started to offer respite services which provide short-term care for individuals with developmental disabilities who continue to live at home, allowing a break for their families.

2001 A fourth home was purchased as an Enhanced Supported Independent Living program on Westvale Drive in Waterloo. The Westvale house now provides a home for four adults.

PCL partnered with a retirement residence in Kitchener to provide out-of-town respite services.

2003 A fifth home was purchased on Pastern Trail in Waterloo. The Pastern house provides a home for four adults.

2004 A sixth home was opened as an Enhanced Supported Independent Living program on Westheights Drive in Kitchener. The Westheights house now provides a home for four adults.

2006 With the assistance of annualized funding from the Ministry of Children and Youth Services and fund raised dollars, PCL purchased its first home for children on Malabar Drive in Waterloo. The Malabar house provides a home for two children and respite support for an additional four children.

2007 Through donations from the KW Community Foundation, Harry Foster Foundation and funding from the Ministry of Community and Social Services, PCL purchased its eighth home on Evelyn Drive in Kitchener. The Evelyn house now provides a home for two adults and respite support for an additional six adults.

2009 PCL celebrated its 20th anniversary!!

2010 PCL purchased its ninth home on Casey Drive in Kitchener. The Casey house now provides a home for five adults.

2012 PCL sold the two story home on Westvale Drive and purchased a bungalow on Monarch Place in Waterloo to provide 24 hour support for four aging individuals in need of a more accessible home.

PCL also increased compacity by providing support for three new individuals from the community.

The Westheights home became a 24 hour residential home.