Celebrating 70 Years of Supporting Individuals with Disabilities

Hillcroft Services supports more than 600 people with disabilities in our community and surrounding communities each year. This year, the organization is celebrating its 70th anniversary of helping individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

In 1953, three families – the Kings, Satryans, and Taylors – wanted to keep their loved ones close. At the time, many individuals with disabilities were placed into institutions to receive care. The King, Satryan, and Taylor families saw another option and started The Delaware County Council for Retarded Children that through name changes, later became Hillcroft Services to provide unique, quality services for their children with disabilities. The three families quickly grew to around 25 members who banded together to help the organization thrive.

Today, Hillcroft Services helps people develop living and social skills through group homes, residential supported living services, transportation, habilitation training, and respite care. They work with individuals to analyze job skills and match potential employees with jobs in the community. Hillcroft Services works with people of all ages. Early learners build communication skills at their ABA Clinic where they provide behavior modification therapy for children and young adults diagnosed with Autism and related disorders. With behavioral support services, music therapy, and recreation therapy, Hillcroft Services offers something for everyone.

Earlier this year, The Community Foundation awarded a grant to Hillcroft Services to support a year-long 70th-anniversary awareness and recognition campaign. Hillcroft Services planned various events for clients and the community to celebrate. In February, they hosted a Birthday Bash where clients and staff kicked off the celebratory year (pictured). Later this year, Hillcroft Services is moving its annual Thanksgiving Appreciation Luncheon to the Horizon Convention Center and inviting the public to join clients and staff as they celebrate 2023 and reflect on 70 years of service.

For over 30 years, The Community Foundation has partnered with Hillcroft Services by providing more than $688,000 in grant funding. Additionally, Hillcroft Services benefits from the Hillcroft Services Fund, a designated endowment fund housed at The Community Foundation.

For more information on Hillcroft Services and all the great things they do for individuals with disabilities in our community, visit Hillcroft.org.

This story was featured in the September 2023 issue of The Community Foundation’s Legacy Newsletter. This edition of Legacy tells the story of a family who stays connected through their philanthropy, features grants in action from our community partners, and lists grants from the third quarter of 2023. Read the full newsletter for more stories from the Foundation!