History
Turnstone Center for Disabled Children and Adults was founded in 1943 as the Allen County Society for Crippled Children. The agency began as an educational program with volunteers teaching six children with special needs. Through the years, the agency and its program offerings grew, and a new facility was found to house both the budding children's program; as well as a new program for adults with disabilities.

It was in 1989 that the agency changed it name to Turnstone to reflect its ever evolving programs. Through the years, the agency's name, facility, staff, leadership, and programs have all changed. However, the heart and soul of Turnstone remains unchanged. It is this heart and soul that fuels the passion of our work. And our work, in turn, helps people with disabilities live good lives, with dignity and independence.

Turnstone's current facility is located on 14 acres at 3320 North Clinton Street. To keep up with its grassroots growth, the Clinton Street facility has been expanded three times. This state-of-the-art, 55,000-square foot, one-story building houses the Robert Kimbrough Early Learning Center, a full sized gymnasium, a therapeutic pool, as well as northeast Indiana's only fully accessible fitness area.

In 2007, Turnstone served 2,200 people with physical disabilities of all ages through education, therapy, recreation, support groups, and adult day programs. The agency is best known for its professionalism in the delivery of services, the quality of services and its ability to operate in a fiscally responsible manner. Governed by a dynamic board of community volunteers and a highly trained staff of caring professionals, Turnstone has a sterling reputation in the community and is respected for its long history of providing quality, innovative, and unique services.

The Turnstone Bird

Turnstone was selected as the new name for The Allen County Society for Crippled Children and Adults because the Turnstone bird so aptly symbolizes the spirit of the agency. A shorebird commonly found around the world, the Turnstone relentlessly persist in finding food by moving heavy stones with nearly any part of its body. While most birds obtain food only with their beaks, the Turnstone has adapted many parts of its body to perform this function. Also characteristic of the Turnstone is its willingness to help fellow Turnstone in this work. When an object is too heavy for a Turnstone to move alone, other Turnstone birds gather to assist.

At Turnstone, our children and adults with disabilities learn to overcome their disabilities by adapting their bodies to perform many of the daily functions normal people take for granted. When the disability is a difficult one to overcome, other people such as teachers, therapists, and community volunteers gather to assist. Another positive aspect of the name and visual symbol of the Turnstone is its association with a bird in flight. This strong mental image creates a feeling for exactly what Turnstone strives for helping individuals with disabilities gain freedom and attain new heights through personal growth as well as physical development.

A Focused Mission...

Here at Turnstone, we're constantly energizing, motivating, and growing. Because of that, there's always the challenge of staying focused on what it is we do best and for whom. Yet, all our efforts are carefully focused on fulfilling our mission to enhance the lives of people with disabilities and their families.

To accomplish this, Turnstone educates, advocates, and builds skills so that people with disabilities can gain greater self-sufficiency and functional independence and can continue living in their community with dignity.

A Clear Vision. . .
At Turnstone, we empower people with physical disabilities to reach for their full potential in every aspect of life. We are guided by the vision that, one day, all people will live, work, learn and play in a community based on abilities, not disabilities. To accomplish this vision, Turnstone has become a leader in the provision of therapeutic (occupational, physical speech therapy and aquatic) as well as health and wellness, preschool and childcare and adult day services for people with disabilities. Turnstone provides these unique services at a reduced or no fee.

Who We Serve . . .
Among people with physical disabilities are men and women of all races, religions, and ages. Thus Turnstone's clients are a diverse group. In fact, a lot of the passion we at Turnstone feel for our work derives from knowing that any one of us may one day struggle living with a physical disabling condition.

Inclusiveness is the ultimate goal for people with disabilities. Inclusiveness means being treated with the same level of respect and having the same opportunities as anyone else. It means being able to participate in the worlds of work, recreation, and worship without encountering needless barriers. We can safely say that Turnstone is a place of great diversity, working for an increasingly inclusive community and world.

Turnstone's Service Area
Turnstone is located in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana, the county seat of Allen County. Fort Wayne is the second largest city in the state of Indiana with a population of 205,727 and 77 square miles of land. The population of Allen County is 331,849 with 650 square miles of land. There are seven incorporated cities in Allen County. Allen County is primarily a rural and farming area that has a large Amish population.

There are four school districts in our county composed of 56 elementary and 31 secondary and high schools. Fort Wayne is also home to four colleges, including Indiana Purdue University of Fort Wayne, the Indiana Institute of Technology, the University of Saint Francis, and Taylor University.

Goals . . .
The five major goals of Turnstone's programs are to:

• Maximize the physical and mental health and promote independence in people with disabilities and their families.
• Build a financial base that meets the needs of Turnstone's programs and long range plan.
• Increase public awareness of Turnstone and its mission and promote widespread support of other programs and services for people with disabilities and their families.
• Develop an organizational infrastructure that maximizes the effectiveness of services and strengthens programs impact.
• Monitor and evaluate the progress in achieving the annual program outcomes and long range plans.