History

In June of 1957 the Port Alberni Association was incorporated as a Society. PAACL’s first program was Beaufort School operating out of the basement of St. Alban’s Church.

In 1960 Arrowsmith Services (a sheltered workshop) was established – its first location was 8^th Avenue near Dogwood.

In the 1980s planning began to phase out three large institutions in the province. This lead to the opening of a number of small group homes (residences) in the province. PAACL opened Huff and Glenside in 1988, Maple and Fifth Avenue in 1989, Ninth Avenue in 1990 and Russell Residence in 1991.

In 1988 the Community Employment Program opened. In 1992 Arrowsmith Services split into two day programs (Arrowsmith and Community Options) and began moving from the “traditional” sheltered workshop approach to programming. Choices Day program began in 1994.

In 1995 the Learning Place Pre-School and the Supported Child Care Program began operation in Port Alberni and Ucluelet.

In 1999 the residents of Fifth Avenue moved out into the community and continued to receive support through Supported Community Living Services.

In 1999 Huff Drive residents moved to individually supported living situations in the community (host families).

In 2004 the Pathways Drop In program began.

In 2005 the Westporte Residence was specially built to provide a new home for the residents of Glenside and Russell homes, which were closed.

In May of 2005 PAACL went through an Accreditation process with CARF. The following programs received a three year accreditation: Infant Development, Supported Child Development, Community Access Leisure Program, Services for Community Living, Community Employment Program, Arrowsmith, Choices and Options Day Programs, and the three Residential Programs.

In 2008 PAACL purchased a new bulding.  Choices, Arrowsmith Services, and Community Options Day Programs move to the new location and become the Connections Day Program.  The new program offers more space, more choice and more opportunities for participants in the programs.

In 2008 PAACL also opened Huff Drive Residence.  The new Residential resource can provide housing for four individuals in the community.

And in 2008 PAACL was successful in obtaining another 3 year accreditation for it's programs, including the new Connections program.