History of The Enrichment Center
1n 1983, a group of parents realized a need for programming following high school for their children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. They wanted an experience similar to that of their typical children who were going to college. With this thought, The Enrichment Center opened as an arts –oriented day program and became incorporated in 1984. The program began with only 3 students, and some very determined parents. Today, we serve over 400 individuals!
The Enrichment Center started in a small location off Bethania Station Road, utilizing only two Quonset huts. Then moved to the Hanes Community Building on Coliseum Drive. The Enrichment Center experienced much growth since 1984. To meet our growing needs, a capital campaign was launched in 1998 to raise funds to purchase the Jones Bakery located at 1006 S. Marshall Street as our new facility.
Affiliations with funders were as important in the early days, as it is today. The Enrichment Center became a funded partner of United Way in 1987, Forsyth Technical Community College in 1993, and Vocational Rehabilitation in 1995. Center Point Human Services has always been an important part of our growth. The Enrichment Center remains very grateful to donors of all sizes who help to grow our mission. “Empowering individuals with disabilities: growth, dignity, choice”.
Timeline
1983
- The Enrichment Center was created by parents who wanted their children with Intellectual and Developmental disabilities to have a college type experience through an arts-based educational process.
1984
- Incorporated as an arts-oriented day program guided by Christian principles.
1987
- Became a United Way agency.
- Presented the first public arts performance by actors with disabilities.
1990
- Licensed by the state of North Carolina as an Adult Day Vocational Program.
1991
- Completed first long range plan which included a new mission statement affirming the Center’s belief that clients have the capacity to give as well as receive.
1993
- Moved to a new facility in the Hanes Community Building.
- Began partnership with Forsyth Technical Community College.
1995
- Began an individual supported employment program through partnership with Vocational Rehabilitation.
1996
- Held first art auction and exhibition of client artwork.
- Began serving clients part-time in the community.
1997
Completed second long range plan which included:
- Need to move to larger, more inclusive facility of 25,000-55,000 sq. foot in or near downtown Winston-Salem Plan to expand arts program to include a gallery for exhibition and sales
- Participated in an international, multi-media art festival hosted by Project Ability in Glasglow, Scotland.
- Founded the Enrichment Center’s Percussion Ensemble comprised of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
1998
- Completed capital campaign feasibility study for a three million dollar capital campaign.
1999
- Purchased Jones Bakeries Building and began renovations for the new facility.
- Percussion Ensemble completed its first recording in collaboration with a violinist from the UNC School of the Arts.
2000
- Founded first gallery, Studio 610.
2001
- Merged with The Arc of Forsyth County.
2002
- Moved into the newly renovated Jones Bakeries Building located at 1006 S. Marshall Street.
2007
- Established first cultural exchange for students who traveled to New Orleans to learn about Mardi Gras and the culture of New Orleans in preparation of the first Mardi Gras fundraiser.
2008
- Held first Mardi Gras fundraiser.
2009
- Opened a sculpture garden created by our artists through a collaborative effort with community artists.
2010
- Partnered with Old Salem to provide digital photo cards and employees to work in the Old Salem Candy Shoppe.
- The Representative Payee program increased services to include over 250 individuals in eleven counties in North Carolina.
2011
- Added My Turn, a new senior transitional program.
- Created an outdoor mosaic wall, 1,000 Flowers, through a community artist residency.
