A look at Stone Belt's History
1958 -- Stone Belt starts in the basement of First Baptist Church at 4th and Washington Streets in Bloomington by 9 families who want to provide education services for their children. Classes met twice a week and the first teacher was Jean Flicop.
Founders -- Original members of the Stone Belt Council included Mr. Gordon Phillips and Mrs. Mary Claire Phillips (Knight), Dr. & Mrs. John Eichorn, Dr. Donald Jolly, Dr. Henry Nickas, Dr. & Mrs. Otto Hughes and Mrs. Montana Grinstead.
1959 -- Indiana University authorizes the use of Headley School's classrooms. A lot of hard work by many parents and friends allowed the Headley School to open its doors September 21, 1959.
1970 -- Stone Belt's 10th Street building, still our headquarters today, is built on the Indiana University campus with state, federal and county tax dollars at a cost of $512,000. For much of Stone Belt's early years, it is a school for children with developmental disabilities, including preschool age.
1970 -- Some of the first residential group homes in Indiana are started by Stone Belt in small apartments contained within the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community called Cottages. One of the homes is part of a pilot program in conjunction with the Indiana School for the Blind. 1971 -- Stone Belt adds a sheltered workshop and day program for adults.
1971 -- Lawrence County Arc, LARC, is organized. Services are offered soon after that on Norton Lane in Bedford, Indiana.
1973 -- The Recycling Warehouse opens at the 10th Street facility. It is estimated by the Herald-Times at the time that the center saved four forests per year due to its efforts. In the late 80s the Stone Belt Board of Directors gives over responsibility of the program to the City of Bloomington and Monroe County.
1975 -- Legislation is passed that allows children with developmental disabilities to attend public school.
1978 -- The 10th Street facility's Adult Center opens. It cost $400,000 to build.
1981 -- The LARC Achievement Center is dedicated and begins offering services for individuals in Lawrence County.
1985 -- Stone Belt's first community-based home, Blackstone opens. In 1985, Stone Belt also purchases Hite house followed by Kirkwood in 1987. Stone Belt has eight universally designed homes custom built between 1987 and 1993. Six or seven individuals with disabilities live in each home still today.
1985 -- Stone Belt makes its first community job placement. It is one of the first to do so in the State of Indiana. The first job was held by Roger Prince who worked at Indiana University.
1987 -- Stone Belt opens its Infant & Toddler Development Clinic. In 1999, the name of this program is changed to Infant & Child Developmental Services. The program includes a number of support services for families with young children with and without disabilities.
After changes in state funding and delivery of service, Stone Belt closed this program in 2006. Stone Belt continues to support children in our Milestones Clinical and Health Resources clinic.
1989 -- Sweet Owen Industries is opened to serve individuals in Owen County.
1997 -- The Supported Living Program officially begins. Clients can now choose their own apartments.
2000 -- Stone Belt of Bartholomew County opens its first office. However, Stone Belt had been serving consumers in the area since 1997.
2000 -- Stone Belt starts its Professional Services division. However, Stone Belt has had a number of support services such as physical therapy, social work, therapeutic recreation, nursing and psychological services in place since the late 1970s.
Stone Belt's professional services are known today as Milestones Clinical & Health Resources.
2003 -- Stone Belt's manufacturing leather department merges with Michael Long Leather, forming Stone Belt Leather Works.
2004 -- Stone Belt starts Art & Craft, a division which features client-created mosaic art pieces as well as Adirondack-style furniture and hand-made cards.
2009 -- Stone Belt celebrates its 50th Anniversary with various events throughout the agency and in the community.
Download Stone Belt's 50th Anniversary Brochure which celebrates the past and looks toward the future.