History
In 1966, a group of parents and concerned individuals formed Mid-Valley Workshop, Inc., to provide employment training to adults with disabilities. This became one of the first five "sheltered workshops' for the disabled in Oregon. With the leadership and extraordinary efforts of Margaret Reavis, Mid-Valley opened its doors on February 1, 1967. Its first facility was a rather dilapidated building in downtown Amity serving five trainees whose first commercial products were pallets and grade stakes.
A recreation and activity program was started in McMinnville for those individuals too severely limited to work in the Workshop. At first it was open one day per week but was up to five days per week by 1973. This same year, McMinnville saw the first Mid-Valley group home open.
By 1975, the Workshop had outgrown its location and moved into its present 20,000 square foot production facility one mile north of Amity. (Now known as Mid-Valley Wood Products.) In 1980 the activity program moved into its new 7,000 square foot building (now called the Reavis Building) adjacent to the Workshop. These facilities are located on 11 acres donated by Ray and Barbara Kauer. The Wood Products building is dedicated to Ezra and Veda Kilmer.
A residential support service for individuals living on their own began and a second group home was added in 1983. Mid-Valley Charitable Fund, Inc., was organized in 1987 to administer the proceeds of a donated estate.
An intensive training home in McMinnville started operations in 1989. This home, Brooks Street, served a number of former Fairview residents. Supported employment services in community businesses began in the mid 1980s and is now a large part of Mid-Valley's vocational program. This service moved into offices in McMinnville in 1990.
In 1993 the corporate name was changed to Mid-Valley Rehabilitation, Inc. In 1994 the former bench department moved from Amity to a 15,000 square foot warehouse in the McMinnville Industrial Park. Its new name is Mid-Valley Industrial Services. A new department called Community Inclusion Services began operations based in the Reavis Building.
In 1995, Industrial Services purchased a lotionized soap business and began operations with the State of Oregon as its first customer.
In 2000, the former group home on 1st Street was closed and Davis Street apartments were opened.
Also in 2000, Serendipity Ice Cream opened in Historic Downtown McMinnville. Designed to represent a turn of the century ice cream parlor in both appearance and feeling, Serendipity employs 4 persons with disabilities.
In 2003 the Industrial Services Division moved into a new building in the McMinnville Industrial Park. The building was purchased with funds raised from grants and the community. In November of 2003 an Open House was held and the new building was named "The Kauer Building".
In 2004 Mid-Valley found a home for the Quest program located near downtown McMinnville. Later in the year the Baker Street Apartments were purchased .
In 2006 the enclave at A-Dec started.
In 2008 the Valley's Edge group homes were completed for persons who are medically fragile. Also in 2008 the Dallas Community Inclusion Services was started on SW Birch St. The total number of clients served by Mid-Valley reached 200.
In 2009, at the request of family members, the Cherry Heights group home was established in Dallas.
