Community Living For All

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September 22nd, 2005

Community Living For All

The community living movement in the Barrie area and Simcoe Community Services specifically, recently bade farewell to one of its most influential yet unassuming pioneers.  Eileen Hankin died in August at the age of 93.  She left behind a legacy of helping individuals with developmental disabilities to help themselves.

In 1953, while involved with a parent teacher group at Codrington Public School , Eileen Hankin, along with some parents of children with developmental disabilities discovered that the conventional education system would not be adequate for some children. They also did not feel that institutionalizing their children was a viable option.  They banded together and established the Barrie & District Association for Retarded Children - a community organization which would provide (a) support to families of children with developmental disabilities and (b) a community-based school for their children.

Eileen. Hankin worked tirelessly and involved her entire family with her passion to develop services for those with developmental disabilities.  She acted as a volunteer throughout the 1950s and in 1959 when the first sheltered workshop opened, Eileen was appointed its director at a salary of $25 per week.   Fundraising and public awareness were large components of Eileen’s job.  She frequently made presentations to various service groups encouraging their involvement.  These meetings were scheduled in the evenings when Eileen’s husband Ernie was able to drive her, as they were a one vehicle family.

Pre-school programs were another focus for Eileen and so a nursery program began in the Central United Church in 1969.  Subsequently Rotodale Nursery School was established in 1978 and Sunny Park Children’s Centre was established in 1979.

Eileen was instrumental in putting together the funds and plans for the state-of-the-art ARC Industries facility which opened at 175 Bayfield Street in 1972.  Subsequently she consulted with other community living organizations assisting them with developing similar supports.

In 1975 when the organization opened its first adult group home, Progress House, Eileen and her husband Ernie became the “house parents” – living alongside the folks with developmental disabilities who lived there.  Eileen was even known as “mom” to some.

Inter-agency luncheons (where professionals and other groups got together to share information and accomplishments) was another important agenda item for Eileen. 

Eileen’s daughter, Carroll Lowe, remembers always being involved with individuals who had an intellectual disability.  “They were always in our lives but we weren’t taught to label anyone,” Lowe said.   Carroll and her siblings even spent Christmas at Progress House. 

Eileen Hankin served individuals with developmental disabilities for twenty-seven years.  Locally she helped to break new ground in so many areas.

Eileen’s legacy lives on.  In 2005, Simcoe Community Services employs 500+ staff who provide a wide array of supports to children, teens and adults with developmental disabilities in Barrie, Orillia and beyond . Our Vision Statement echoes the works begun by Eileen Hankin, so long ago.  “Join In!  Catch the excitement!  Everyone’s included!   Community living is now the only choice for someone with a developmental disability -  – living side by side with neighbours and friends and contributing to society in a meaningful way.

David Barber, President of Simcoe Community Services remarked: “In community living, we stand on the shoulders of giants.  We are what we are today,  because Eileen Hankin and other pioneers in our movement made it possible.  To us with failing hands, she has passed the torch.  In honour of her memory, we carry it proudly.”

For more information, please contact Reet Skelton, Volunteer & Public Awareness Coordinator at (705) 726-9082 ext 238 or e-mail at rskelton@simcoecommunityservices.ca.