The Bear Creek Legacy

Legacy: noun; something that has come from a predecessor or the past.

What better way to begin than with the definition of legacy! The past has taught us many important lessons in the way in which people with DD and TBI lived and were treated and, having learned those lessons, we can develop ways to continually meet the changing needs of these individuals in the future.

At the time of its conception, Bear Creek Services was formed out of necessity. Parents had no options for placement of their adult children with DD. In 1975, those parents began researching the possibility of residential group homes for their own children right here in Rochester, Minnesota. It was a long and tiresome struggle, but they were tenacious in reaching their goal. In May of 1976, Olmsted ARC (OARC) Homes opened their first group home, Sixth Street House, and 6 young adults with developmental disabilities finally had a home to call their own. Under the care of staff, they were able to grow and lead more independent lives. Currently, 5 of the original 6 still reside in one of Bear Creek Services’ group homes.

Developmental: adjective; 1: to unfold gradually or in detail; 2: to bring out the possibilities of; 3: to go through a natural process of growth, differentiation, or evolution; 7: to come into being gradually.

This definition fully describes Bear Creek Services’ priority! In 1977, Southside House was opened to another 6 individuals with DD. And the progression continued! By 1980, OARC had four residential group homes—Sixth Street House, Bear Creek House, Meadow Park House, and Southside House. In 1987, OARC officially changed their name to Bear Creek Services, Inc. Bear Creek Services continued to grow, adding an additional 8 homes over the years bringing the agency to a total of 12—all located within Rochester.

Once again, based on the concerns of parents, we branched out our services to include individuals with traumatic brain injury. Our Kelly D’s house opened in May of 1998. It was specifically designed to accommodate those individuals with TBI. Our most recent group home, Century Heights, was built to better accommodate our clients’ ever-changing needs.

Today we are looking to the future—Bear Creek Services continually strives to meet the needs of the individuals we currently provide services for. And we continually look beyond what we have and reach for that which will not only serve those with DD and TBI, but possibly those who are physically or developmentally challenged in any way who would benefit from the services we provide.

The horizon is within reach…and we will keep reaching!!!!!