History

Directors Roy Webster, George Lamphier, and W. W. Hawkins incorporated Hood River Sheltered Workshop as a non-profit organization on March 22, 1967. Their goal was employment and training for citizens of the Mid-Columbia area with disabilities.

A group of local business people raised money through rummage sales and music programs, solicited donations from civic and social clubs, churches, Sunday schools, and eventually the United Fund.

In 1968 Judith M. Drescher volunteered for the unpaid position of Executive Director, and the organization began to take off. The workshop opened for business in the Tonn Building at 2940 Thomsen Road in Pine Grove.

In 1971 Hood River Sheltered Workshop began doing business as Columbia Gorge Rehabilitation Center and made a down payment on the Tonn Building. At that time, 11 people from Hood River and The Dalles were employed in the work program. In 1972, CGRC expanded the mission to include needed residential services and, in 1976, bought a house at 1306 Taylor Street in Hood River, where training and support services are still provided for seven individuals in a residential setting.

Many new services have been added since the inception of Hood River Sheltered Workshop. The supported employment program began in 1987. As a result, many people served now work in supported work sites in the community. In 1988, because of the diversity of its services, CGRC changed its name to Columbia Gorge Center. Over the years, the Center has received grants from the Murdock Foundation for various building projects and the inception of a commercial sewing program, from the Union Pacific Railroad, the Hood River Lions Club, and from Oregon Public Transit. Hood River United Way and Mid-Columbia United Way have also provided funds for various projects and operating expenses. In 1990, the Center received an establishment grant from the Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation Division for expansion of its janitorial and grounds maintenance crews in Hood River and The Dalles.

In July 1991 the Center merged with Quality Residential Services, Inc., another private, non-profit provider of services. As a result of the merger and subsequent expansion, the Center currently operates four group homes and semi-independent and supported living programs in Hood River and The Dalles, providing residential, training, and support services to 32 people with disabilities.

In March 1992, through an establishment grant from the Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation Division, the Center began operation of a comprehensive assessment and training center in The Dalles. The assessment and training center is designed to evaluate work skills and potential, identify barriers to employment, and explore ways to overcome those barriers, with the ultimate result being the identification and securing of independent competitive employment.

Two Alternative-to-Employment (ATE) programs have been developed since 1993. The programs are built around the individual needs of people served.

In 1994 service delivery was expanded to Klickitat County, Washington, through contracts and service agreements with White Salmon, Lyle and Wishram School Districts, and Klickitat County Department of Human Services. The primary services provided are community inclusion and employment supports including work assessments and training. In 2005 high school transition services were added through contracts with Hood River, Northern Wasco County, and Lyle School District.

Today the business operations that provide employment for over 300 people per year now include packaging, assembly, commercial sewing, lettershop, janitorial services, and supported employment in Hood River, Klickitat, and Wasco Counties.

COLUMBIA GORGE CENTER
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

Judy Drescher ....................................................1968 - 1982

Carolee Lyddon .................................................1982 - 1986

Kenny Smith ......................................................1986 - 1987

Carolee Lyddon .................................................1987 - 1988

Barbara Briggs ...................................................1988 - 1992

Bill Uhlman .......................................................1992 - 2002

Patty Elkins ………….....…................................2002 – 2005

Rita Rathkey…………...….................................2005 - Present