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MISSION STATEMENT

McElvain Homes has a passionate love for developmentally disabled adults and, as such, strives to provide stimulating and loving family homes. The agency is committed to not only providing mandated services but unparalleled personalized care and recreational opportunities to meet the specific needs of each of our residents.

Learn more about how our founder fought for the rights of the developmentally disadvantaged.

How we started

AN IDEA WAS BORN

The dream began with an idea. Coming to fruition was not easy, however.

In 1970, when I was employed by the Richland County Board of MR/DD, we had an in-service day. I chose to visit a state institution. Without identifying where I went, I can tell you that the conditions there were deplorable. The residents slept on cots, 80 to a ward placed about 2 feet apart, end-to-end. When I was there, it was winter and it was very cold. Windows were broken completely out in the ward I visited. Cold air blew in the ward and it was cold!

As I glanced around, I noticed the lack of dressers, toys, and personal items. It appeared that no resident had access to any personal items.

I was next taken on a tour. We passed a day room – one in which residents spent their days. In it were hundreds of residents, many completely naked and several sitting in their own excrement. There were no toys.

Residents simply sat and rocked to entertain themselves and pass the time. Even today, when I see residents who have been institutionalized for over 20 years rocking, I have vivid flashbacks of my first trip to an institution.

Next, I passed a room of clothing. It was explained that employees went to this room daily to select clothes for the residents to wear that day. It was overwhelming how impersonal it was.

The conditions were so bad; most people wouldn’t even consider placing their dogs at such a place. Yet, there were special people warehoused like cattle.

I left the visit to the institution more convinced than ever that somehow I was going to get some of those people out of there. I didn’t know how, but the idea was ingrained in my very soul.

As more in-service days came about, I used every opportunity to tour more state institutions. I was desperate to know if they were all horrible. Guess what? Each one was as equally inhumane as the first. My dream grew and my soul ached to make a difference.