The History of Mainstream

1985 - 1987

• Mainstream: An Unsheltered Workshop is officially incorporated.
• Mainstream opened a laundromat to serve the community of Port Dalhousie
• Receive $11,000 in United Way Funding.
• The United Way enriches funding to $65,000 annually.
• Ministry of Community and Social Services funds Workshop Program for $45,000 annually.

1988 - 1990

• Mainstream Non Profit Housing Project is incorporated and receives funding for 20 units.
• The Supportive Independent Living Program receives MCSS funding
• Homes for the Homeless Project approved 1 - 3 bedroom home.
• Supportive Independent Living Program received funding from MCSS.
• Supported Living Program funded and 3 individuals from Oxford.
• Regional Centre (ORC) move to Lafayette.

1992 - 1994

• A second Supported Living home is funded and 4 individuals from Oxford Regional Centre move to Shoreline.
• Mainstream restructures using Open Space Technology and the Resource Centre format is created.
• Mainstream receives Ministry of Housing funding to build a 4 bedroom wheelchair accessible home on Rykert Street.
• MCSS Minor Capital received to purchase new wheelchair van.
• Rykert is opened for 4 individuals from Oxford Regional Centre.

1997 -  2002

• IENACT funded by Environment Canada to naturalize the property at 212 Rykert St.
• Supported Living Program proposal to add a 5th person at Rykert is approved.
• Mainstream purchases a second van.
• Options Niagara A Foundations Initiative is funded by MCSS.
• Unit D at 25 Main St. is renovated to accommodate Options Niagara and Adult Literacy Programs.
• Options Niagara begins operations.

2003 - 2004

• Options Niagara received a funding enhancement from MCSS.
• Supportive Independent Living program receives funding to support two individuals with higher needs.
• Mainstream purchases 263 Pelham Rd. and renovations begin.
• Mainstream moves offices and Resource Centre Program to 263 Pelham Rd.

2005

• Mainstream hosts a Grand Opening for our building at 263 Pelham Rd.
• Mainstream Showcases Famous People Players.
• Options Niagara receives a funding from MCSS to support 10 additional people bringing total people supported to 135.
• Mainstream receives a personal donation to purchase a van for the Resource Centre.
• Mainstream’s proposal to accommodate an individual moving from Southwestern Regional Centre (SRC) approved by MCSS.
• Proposal to renovate Rykert St. basement approved and MCSS funds the $42,000 project.
• Individual from SRC moves into Rykert.

2006 - 2007

• Renovations to Rykert completed and Transitional Aged Youth moves in.
• Mainstream receives MCSS funding to purchase a new van.
• Funding Proposal ($630,000) to build 9 one bedroom apartments in partnership with Gateway and Mountainview Homes is approved.
• A proposal to repatriate one person from Southwestern Regional Centre is approved.
• Mainstream receives $70,000 in capital funding to add a great room to Rykert St.
• 91 Pelham Rd purchased to accommodate growing need for program and office space.

2008 - 2010

• Renovations completed at 91 Pelham and Options Niagara moves in.
• Accreditation Coordinator is appointed and the Accreditation Dream Team begin weekly meetings.
• Mainstream receives SIL funding from MCSS for 160 Ontario St to support five individuals with a dual diagnosis.
• FOCUS Accreditation Services completes the on site validation.
• 160 Ontario St. is completed and first tenants move in.
• Mainstream is awarded a three year Accreditation status from FOCUS Accreditation Services.
• Ministry of Housing hosts official opening of 160 Ontario St.

2011 - 2014

• Mainstream receives MCSS funding to plan Person Centred Thinking Training for all 11 DS agencies in Niagara.
• MCSS provides funding to support Mainstream’s Bullying Production.
• Mainstream Bullying Production debuts and begins showing at all elementary schools in Niagara.
• Mainstream receives a 4 year accreditation from FOCUS Accreditation Services.
• Mainstream commits to becoming a Person Centred Thinking organization.
• Mainstream’s Rights Committee presents at Brock University Summer Institute.