SESDAC, Inc. celebrates 35th anniversary

Thirty-five years ago, seven community members gathered on March 13, 1973 to discuss the creation of a center to support people with developmental disabilities in Clay and Union counties. As a result of that meeting, in August 1973, SESDAC hired an executive director and found its first home at 5 Market Street where it supported six individuals with a part-time program operating two hours per day. In September 1974, the services became full-time and SESDAC hired its first full-time program instructor. In January 1975, services were expanded to include a residential component and a group home was formed at 325 Center Street with 10 people residing there.

SESDAC has come a long way from its humble beginnings. It now supports as many as 75 people in Clay and Union counties. It has grown from a single group home to having a variety of living arrangements scattered throughout the community. SESDAC has flourished from those two full-time staff members in 1974 to currently employing 140 full and part time personnel, making it the seventh largest employer in the community. While its employees are its greatest asset, the community is its greatest supporter. Members of the community came together in 1973 to create the organization. Over the past 35 years the citizens of the community have been generous with their time and their money to ensure SESDAC's existence and enable it to meet our mission "to assist people with disabilities to live, work and socialize in their communities."

The stage has been set and SESDAC is excited to venture into the next 35 years of service to people with disabilities and to its community. On April 5, the organization looks forward to celebrating this milestone with citizens at its 17th annual SESDAC Benefit Auction.

The auction will be held at the Buffalo Run Winery with this year's theme being "Spring Time in Paris." The evening will begin with the silent auction and social hour at 5:30 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m., and a live auction to follow.

Tickets for the event are $25 each, which includes a meal catered by the Buffalo Run Winery. Reservations are required, so please contact SESDAC, Inc. at (605) 624-4419 to make your reservation by March 28.