Although organization names and services have changed during the past five decades, CORE continues to believe that every individual has the right to be a contributing member of their community, has the right to have the best quality of life available and deserves support through advocacy and lobbying efforts.
CORE Timeline
1953 – A group of parents and interested persons felt that mentally retarded children were entitled to an opportunity for an education.
June 18, 1954 – Medicine Hat and District Association for Retarded Children established.
September 1954 – First classes for four children started three afternoons a week at Fifth Avenue United Church.
June 1955 – Teacher Vera Bracken employed to instruct the students.
Rental of space obtained for the First Baptist Church basement.
December 1955 – Grant for $2,400 received for operational costs from local school district.
June 1957 – Lots purchased from the City of Medicine Hat to build a school.
March 1960 – Construction began on building a school for $61,976.20.
December 1960 – Official opening of Georges P. Vanier school. Fifteen students attended the new facility.
October 1969 – A residence was purchased for children attending the school from out of town.
March 1970 – Land was made available by the City for a workshop site at 13th Street SW. The Kinsmen Club raised $60,000 which was supplemented by a Government Capital Grant of $49,500 to build a training centre.
November 1972 – Bylaws were revamped, a Board of Directors was formed and an Executive Director was hired. A secretary was hired in February 1973.
August 8, 1973 – Association’s name changed to the Medicine Hat and District Association for the Mentally Retarded.
October 22, 1973 – The Kinsmen Training Centre opened with 20 trainees in attendance. The official opening ceremonies were held April 5, 1974.
June 1974 – Children’s residence closed due to licensing regulations. All the children were placed in foster homes
December 12, 1978 – The board’s family services committee was given the mandate to investigate the needs for group home programs, establish this need, and, in turn, develop a six-bed residence to house mentally handicapped persons receiving services from the association.
October 1979 – Group home for adolescents opened.
1980 – Royal Canadian Legion helped fund an expansion at the centre.
Residential services became an integral part of the total spectrum of services within the community and many services were implemented to attempt to meet this need. Group home for mentally handicapped adults opened; the approved home program was taken over by the Association in 1981.
1981 – Administration offices moved to 1329 10th Avenue SW.
1982 – Intensive supervision and care group home opened for multiple- handicapped children. Intensive apartment training program established for mentally handicapped adults wishing to live in their own apartments.
1983 – Self-help and development group home opened to provide a transitional placement for individuals moving from the Michener Centre.
1986 – Seniors group home opened.
The Association provided a recreation/leisure component to help plan individual or group recreational activities as well as trips outside Canada.
1989 – The Kinsmen Training Centre was sold and the day program services moved to the former Park Lane Bowling Alley.
1990 – Land purchased next to Panorama Lanes for a potential new building.
The approved home program and the intensive apartment training program were amalgamated to become Residential Support Services.
November 1992 – Name changed to the Medicine Hat Regional Association of the Mentally Handicapped.
October 1993 – Plans for the new building concept were changed and the former OK Economy grocery store on Third Street SE was purchased.
There appeared to be a significant shift in service delivery as parents began requesting services for children. The programs expanded to include a social isolation prevention program for adolescents on a one-to-one basis.
1994 – Renovations began on the OK Economy building and day program services and administration offices moved in July 6. The official opening was September 30.
April 2001 – The organization name became Clients Ongoing Rehabilitation and Equality (CORE) Association.
Since then, CORE has renovated the building as needs required. The lower level was divided into two sections. One section was developed for adult and youth community outreach offices, a training room, child development and activity centre, and additional office areas to lease to community organizations. The other section became a storage area.
June 2008 – The entire lower area of the Third Street building was damaged by sewage backup, requiring a lengthy cleanup and renovation.
March 2009 – The Board of Directors received membership support to update CORE Association’s bylaws. They also initiated governance changes to reflect servant leadership.
October 2009 – Mission statement revised: To provide quality services for people with developmental disabilities and their families, and to promote opportunities for them to become contributing members of their community.
August 2010 – CORE departments were reorganized to include Community Living, Community Services and Children Services.
October 2010 – Mission statement revised: To provide community living services for people with developmental disabilities and support services for them and their families in becoming contributing members of their community.
October 2010 – Vision statement revised: We envision the day when all people with developmental disabilities are personally fulfilled and valued as members of their community.
March 2011 – CORE and School District 76 signed an agreement of sale, for $1, for the purchase of Georges P. Vanier school. CORE plans to develop the property for a residential centre for special needs adults with dementia.