Following necessary renovations and fund raising drives the building was ready and on March 24, 1970, Mr. and Mrs. Roy MacDowell of Knutsford were hired. Classes commenced on May 1, 1970, with seven trainees attending on a five-day-week basis. Transportation was provided by O’Leary Regional High School buses. Maple House had become a reality.

Maple House was officially opened by Deputy Minister of Welfare, Brig. W.W. Reid on November 14, 1970. in his remarks, he noted the ten years of dedicated work by a small group of concerned citizens which led to the establishment of the adult workshop, for the purpose of providing training for persons with a mental handi- cap in the O’Leary and Alberton areas. In January, 1971, it was agreed that the workshop be incorporated under the name of Maple House Inc. in order to meet the necessary requirements to qualify for a grant available to adult workshops through the Rehabilitation Services of the Department of Welfare. Shareholders of the Corporation were Mrs. Harris Rogers, Coleman; E.W. Turner, O'Leary; Mrs. Arnold Boates, O’Leary; John Broderick, O'Leary; and Rev. L.B. Dooley, O’Leary R.R. #3.

Expansion of the facilities was discussed at the January, 1972 meeting and it was decided to erect a new building using a Local Initiatives Project grant. Construction began in March on the new 30’ X 60’ workshop directly behind the existing workshop. Work was completed in June, 1972, and the old building was torn down.

Classes resumed in September and on November 18, 1972, the new Maple House Inc. was officially opened by Kevin Costello,

, Coordinator of Mentally Retarded for REJ.

In June, 1973, the MacDowells retired and in September, 1973, Clair and Shirley Currie took over as supervisors with eight full time trainees and two part time trainees from the Special Child Development Class at O’Leary Regional High School.

During the next few years the workshop gradually changed from a craft orientated workshop to a vocational setting with the starting of a full time bakery, wood refinishing, and the purchasing of a but- ton making machine, the first on the Island. This proves to be a lucrative business especially during political campaigns. Staff was also required to retrain. All of the present staff holds a diploma from . Holland College in the field of Human Services.

‘ In keeping with trends across the nation toward community liv- ing and employment within the community, the O'Leary Association for Community Living sponsored a two-summer program funded by Labatt’s called ”Integration ‘89 and ‘90". This program provided an

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