History
Helping People Succeed
Building Successful Families and Futures – One Life at a Time!
Helping People Succeed is a diverse, unique and strong 501(c) nonprofit organization that transforms lives by realizing potential, creating hope and building futures through education, counseling, training and employment. We have recognized the community’s needs and stepped up to the plate to help people succeed in Martin, St. Lucie, Okeechobee and Indian River counties. The following is a brief history of who we have been and who we are today--
Pioneer Occupational Center for the Handicapped— was founded in 1964 by a group of parents who wanted their sons and daughters with intellectual disabilities to do more than watch television at home all day by themselves! The participants spent the day with arts and crafts, home economics and adult learning activities.
Tri-County Rehabilitation Center—became the name of the organization and we began to offer vocational and work experience programs sponsored by the Martin County School System in the areas of Carpentry, Food Service, Adult Learning and Home Economics.
Up until that point, we had only been serving adults with disabilities. In 1978 we began to provide home based services for infants and toddlers with diagnosed conditions such as Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Sensory Issues as well as other conditions.
Tri-County TEC—standing for Training, Employment, Community became the name in 1984 and we began to provide true employment services in the community for adults with disabilities. Our conversion from facility-based services to community-based services began and we have never looked back.
Our children’s programs grew significantly as the Children’s Services Councils of Martin and St. Lucie counties began to fund a variety of services for children without disabilities as well as those who experience disabilities. Our BRAIN (Building Readiness Among Infants Now) was born and continues today. Healthy Families—a program for families at risk for abuse or neglect began in Martin County and Okeechobee counties. Many other community and home-based programs were introduced providing early intervention and education to parents in Martin and St. Lucie counties.
In addition, Behavioral Health Services joined our array of programs offering behavioral and mental health services for children, students and adults with disabilities.
We also formed the Helping People Succeed Foundation that has provided funding development, fund raising, planning and public awareness—critical to our growth and development.
Helping People Succeed—became our name in 2004 as we recognized the continuing diversity of our programs and services that were being offered to a variety of populations throughout Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River and Okeechobee counties.
Helping People Succeed has flourished since our inception. We are quite proud of our success—we contribute not only to the quality of life for the people we serve; but also, we contribute to the diversity and economic viability of our community.
We look forward to continuing to help build successful families and futures one life at a time. We invite you to join us!
Pioneer Occupational Center for the Handicapped— was founded in 1964 by a group of parents who wanted their sons and daughters with intellectual disabilities to do more than watch television at home all day by themselves! The participants spent the day with arts and crafts, home economics and adult learning activities.
Tri-County Rehabilitation Center—became the name of the organization and we began to offer vocational and work experience programs sponsored by the Martin County School System in the areas of Carpentry, Food Service, Adult Learning and Home Economics.
Up until that point, we had only been serving adults with disabilities. In 1978 we began to provide home based services for infants and toddlers with diagnosed conditions such as Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Sensory Issues as well as other conditions.
Tri-County TEC—standing for Training, Employment, Community became the name in 1984 and we began to provide true employment services in the community for adults with disabilities. Our conversion from facility-based services to community-based services began and we have never looked back.
Our children’s programs grew significantly as the Children’s Services Councils of Martin and St. Lucie counties began to fund a variety of services for children without disabilities as well as those who experience disabilities. Our BRAIN (Building Readiness Among Infants Now) was born and continues today. Healthy Families—a program for families at risk for abuse or neglect began in Martin County and Okeechobee counties. Many other community and home-based programs were introduced providing early intervention and education to parents in Martin and St. Lucie counties.
In addition, Behavioral Health Services joined our array of programs offering behavioral and mental health services for children, students and adults with disabilities.
We also formed the Helping People Succeed Foundation that has provided funding development, fund raising, planning and public awareness—critical to our growth and development.
Helping People Succeed—became our name in 2004 as we recognized the continuing diversity of our programs and services that were being offered to a variety of populations throughout Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River and Okeechobee counties.
- Our Behavioral Health Services area exploded with the number who needed services;
- Our Baby Steps area serving babies and toddlers increased significantly with new programs and increasing numbers served;
- Our Employment Options areas increased with the number of people successfully obtaining and maintaining employment;
- Our Community Connections area—our original purpose—increased both in numbers and opportunities for community inclusion opportunities.
Helping People Succeed has flourished since our inception. We are quite proud of our success—we contribute not only to the quality of life for the people we serve; but also, we contribute to the diversity and economic viability of our community.
We look forward to continuing to help build successful families and futures one life at a time. We invite you to join us!
Mission Statement
Helping People Succeed transforms lives by realizing potential, creating hope and building futures through education, counseling, training and employment.