Easterseals Arkansas History
80 Years of Empowering Lives
Over a remarkable period of more than 80 years, Easterseals Arkansas has fostered environments where dreams are not just nurtured but realized. Here, individuals with disabilities are empowered to live, learn, work and play in their communities to reach their full potential.
At the heart of our journey is a range of services carefully designed to address the unique needs and aspirations of every individual we serve. From child development centers to physical rehabilitation and job training and independent living options for people with disabilities, we have been here, evolving and expanding, to offer support and solutions that genuinely make a difference.
A History of Firsts: The Journey of Easterseals Arkansas
1940s-1950s: Planting the Seeds of Change
In the midst of 1944, a noble vision took form when Virginia Armistead founded what was initially known as The Arkansas Association for the Crippled, laying down the cornerstone for what would blossom into Easterseals Arkansas.
This beginning ushered in a series of ‘firsts’ — the inaugural inpatient facility for children and the groundbreaking speech therapy program in Arkansas were born. We stretched our arms far and wide, introducing the pioneering “mobile unit” offering therapy services across various school districts, and establishing the first work program for adults with disabilities by 1957.
1960s: Centralizing Care
As we journeyed into 1966, our operations found a central home on Lee Avenue in Little Rock.
This haven became the birthplace of manifold initiatives — a nurturing preschool, outpatient therapy, a rehabilitation center for children, and an adult work program all housed under a single roof, creating a nexus of holistic care and support.
1980s-1990s: A Period of Rapid Growth
The late ’80s and ’90s marked an era of expansion, witnessing the relocation of our adult services division and the inception of the Butler Adult Living Center.
The period also saw the opening of our new corporate office and the adjacent Children’s Rehabilitation Center, creating a sanctuary where hope met determination, and dreams met reality.
2000s: Building Communities
Embarking on a new millennium, we laid foundations of community support with the opening of HUD-funded apartment complexes like Armistead Village and Wilson Court.
A noteworthy collaboration ensued with Hire Inc., emphasizing the employment of adults with disabilities in the community. Meanwhile, the Grand Prairie Child Development Center began its mission to provide specialized pre-K education and pediatric therapy.
2009-2015: Further Expansion and Enriching Lives
Our journey continued with the augmentation of our apartment complexes, including the addition of Wilson Court II and Harold Court.
The Sharon Moone-Jochums Center for Training and Wellness marked a pivotal change in 2013, offering an extended hand of service, doubling the impact and touching even more lives positively.
Today: Living the Mission
As we stand today, our mission reverberates stronger than ever. It manifests through dedicated services that reach between 12,000 and 20,000 individuals annually, besides the 750 children and adults we serve directly.
Our efforts transcend beyond direct service, as we venture into avenues of presentations, training, school support programs, and community initiatives. This echoes our unwavering commitment to empowering individuals to live, learn, work, and play in their communities.
