Key Facts

Founded in 1951 by Evelyn Kennedy and a small group of parents. Served just fifteen students at that time in New England’s first public school program for children with mental retardation. These parents advocated for and helped to establish the Connecticut Council for Retarded Children and later the State of Connecticut Office of Mental Retardation. Opened William Street, Bridgeport site in 1956.

1964 - Moved to a new and larger facility on Virginia Avenue in the Beardsley Park area of Bridgeport Established Faust Hall residence for men that same year. In 1965, we received national Lane Bryant Award for volunteer service to the community. In 1966, Maridot Manor residence for women opened.

1976 - Ahlbin brothers donated 184 Garden Street, Bridgeport building to The Kennedy Center; in 1980, the second floor workshop was established at that site. In 1978 the Over and Under thrift shop opened and in 1979 the Auxiliary of Parents and Friends was established.

1981 - Received accreditation from national Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). From 1982 through 1988 opened four additional residences, established five new businesses and projects. In 1988 The Center received an Exemplary Program award from the New England Rehabilitation Network for the Training, Assessment and Placement Program (TAPP) for Service to adults with acquired brain injury.

1989 to 1992 - Opened a Cooperative Living Arrangement and a Supported Living Option, as well as a private rehabilitation program for workers injured on the job. Expanded Children’s Services to serve birth through teenage years. Started work on travel training/transportation services for persons with disabilities. Received Exemplary Program Award from the Rehabilitation Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Education.

1993 to 1998 - Opened additional offices in Trumbull, CT. Established six additional residences, opened three new project sites, and created Travel Training Program for Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority. Received Exemplary Care Grant Award from the Crisis Prevention Institute. Created a provisional Institute for Behavioral Health to provide psychiatric and psychological services for persons with disabilities in 1998.

1999 - Received perfect three-year accreditation from the national Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities placing The Kennedy Center. Evelyn Kennedy and The Center received a Special Achievement Award from the National Rehabilitation Awareness Foundation, one of six in the United States. Evelyn Kennedy received the first Connecticut Treasures Award. Chosen to provide case management services to 3,000 Welfare to Work participants.

2000 - 02 Opened new site for Senior Options and senior day care program. New York City Transit contracts with us for Travel Training services in all boroughs. The Kennedy Center is named one of 1,000 excellence award winners from HUD in the U.S., one of 9 in CT, and is given a perfect three-year national accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, placing us in the top 1% of rehabilitation facilities in the country. Our Therapeutic Recreation Program received the Connecticut Down Syndrome Congress Award of Excellence in 2002.

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