COUNCIL HISTORY

The Council of Retarded Persons of Sandusky County began in October of 1955 under the leadership of Lillian Wonderly, a parent of a child with a disability.  During the beginning years, the first classes were held in the old YMCA building on East State Street and were operated entirely by donation.  In the fall of 1959 the school operation moved to St. Mark's Lutheran Church building where it stayed until 1963.  At that time it moved into a new school building at the present site, located at 1001 Castalia Street.

The school building was named School of Hope and it consisted of three classrooms, an office, a kitchen, restrooms, a boiler room, and an all-purpose room which was used as the first workshop.  The total cost of the school, including equipment, was estimated at approximately $95,000.00.  Support for the school came from state subsidy, local school systems, gifts from organizations and individuals, and a .3 mill tax levy.  Administration of the school was handled by Department of Welfare Administrator, Sara Walden.  In the first year of operation at this site thirty-one students were served in two classes by two instructors and one assistant.  Transportation was provided by a new bus, donated by the Crippled Children's Association of Sandusky County and a private carrier.  This bus traveled throughout Sandusky County.  In 1967 two additional classrooms and restrooms and a sheltered workshop were added.  In 1967-1968 school enrollment grew to forty-five students with an additional eighteen individuals having full-time employment at the sheltered workshop.

The Council became the Board of Directors of the Council for the School of Hope.  They were the governing body until this responsibility was taken over by the "169" Board.  The Council at one time was part of the state's Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC).  It is presently a group unique to Sandusky County.  The Council has a Board of Trustees, goals, and a budget and looks to provide areas of unmet need.

 

MISSION

The mission of the Sandusky County Council for Persons with Mental Retardation is to promote the general welfare of all individuals in Sandusky County who are mentally retarded or developmentally disabled at home, in the community, in foster homes, in institutions, and in public, private and religious schools; regardless of race, color, religion, or national origin.

 

COUNCIL (PRESENT DAY)

The goal of the Council is to support the School of Hope, Sandco Industries, and persons of Sandusky County with various projects throughout the year.  We have sponsored...

	Staff activities
	Christmas Parties
	Various upgrades to the building and grounds
	High School Scholarships
	Summer Recreation for the students of School of Hope and Sandusky County

We are able to afford many of these endeavors due to fundraisers throughout
the year such as...

	Yearly Membership Drive
	Christmas Auction
	Kubota Mower Raffle
	Jim Tressel and Archie Griffin - A Night with the Legends event at Terra Community College sponsored by SCCPMR

Please consider becoming a member of this very dedicated and giving group by joining the
Council today.  If you are interested, please click on the link at the bottom of this webpage and return the form and your money to:

SCCPMR
1001 Castalia Street
Fremont, Ohio 43420.