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History
Mary Isabelle Wagner, founder of Community Living Centers (1968) was a special education teacher and the mother of a developmentally disabled son. Her life experiences confirmed that people with special needs were not being provided the opportunity to be integrated into the community physically and socially as they deserved.
In the late 1960's Mary Wagner was in step with the movement to de-institutionalize individuals with developmental disabilities. As a pioneer in the concept of group home living, Mary worked diligently to provide a more normalized lifestyle to those residents of her first, 6 person group home. She established a relationship with the community and worked with local businesses to secure employment opportunities for the 6 gentlemen who resided in the home. Work then began with local social service agencies to establish programs that would assist the developmentally disabled. From local, she took her enthusiasm to Washington DC, and worked with political leaders there to establish the National Association of Private Residential Facilities, which is still in existence today. Mary Wagner's efforts were recognized in the 1985 edition of "Who's Who in the Midwest." She also received a Presidential Award in the same year for providing excellent private residential services to the developmentally disabled.
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Mary and Bob Wagner
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Mary Wagner's commitment to people with special needs was never ending. By the 1980's, Community Living Centers had expanded to six privately owned, licensed, group homes. A waiting list of over 100 people interested in joining the CLC family had developed. Today, CLC owns and operates nine group homes and provides support services to 25 special need individuals living in their own community based apartments. Community Living Centers, Inc. now employs 90 staff members. Its is no longer a private agency but, receives government funding through Macomb Oakland Regional Center (MORC, Inc.).
Despite the many transitions that CLC has seen over the years, it's extended family (staff, residents, families, and the community) proudly continue to share and live Mary Wagner's dream. Mary passed away in December 2001. Bob Wagner, Mary's husband, who also dedicated his life to promoting and enriching the lives of people with disabilities, passed away in January, 2007. Their vision continues with all our hearts and effort.
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