Our History

In The Beginning

In the early 1950’s, a few local parents came together, determined not to send their children with an intellectual disability to institutions. With nowhere else to go, together they coordinated a few daily activities for their children. Demand quickly initiated a move to a small church basement, and soon additional staff was hired.

In 1956, the Sarnia & District Association for the Mentally Retarded was officially organized as a Not-for-Profit, charitable corporation. From its humble beginnings and for more than 60 years, Community Living Sarnia-Lambton, has grown to annually support more than 400 children and adults with developmental and intellectual challenges in Sarnia and Lambton County.

Community Living Sarnia-Lambton’s employment model has been shared and adopted by other communities across Ontario and even internationally.

Vision: A community where everyone is valued and can participate.

Volunteers are the bridge between the community and the services that we provide

Community Living Sarnia-Lambton has grown to support more than 400 children and adults with developmental and intellectual challenges.