By the mid-1970s, the nation was undergoing a seismic shift in its support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and KenCrest was at the forefront of this transformation. The decade between 1975 and 1985 marked a pivotal era, as the organization transitioned from institutional models of care to community-based living, paving the way for inclusive, person-centered support systems that are still in place today.
A National Movement, A Local Mission
In 1975, two landmark events sparked a reckoning: the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) ensured that children with disabilities had the right to a free and appropriate public education, and a federal court ordered closure of Pennhurst State School and Hospital in Spring City, PA. Together, these milestones propelled the deinstitutionalization movement and challenged agencies to think differently about how and where care should be delivered.
KenCrest responded not just with action, but with leadership.
Laying the Groundwork for Community Integration
At this critical time, James Bancroft was named Executive Director. Already deeply embedded in KenCrest’s mission as Director of Preschool Services, Bancroft stabilized the growing agency. He even introduced new leadership structures and empowered each service area, including River Crest, Early Intervention, and Community Living Arrangements, to innovate and grow.
Under his direction, KenCrest became one of the first organizations in Pennsylvania and Delaware to open community-based group homes for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. These homes were intentionally placed in everyday neighborhoods, not as a symbol, but as a statement: everyone deserves the right to live in and be part of the community.
The shift from large-scale institutionalization to integrated community living cannot be overstated. These weren’t just homes; they were opportunities for belonging. For the first time, residents could build relationships with neighbors, shop at local stores, and live lives that reflected their unique preferences and potential.
Nolan’s Vision: Controlled Growth with Compassion
In 1981, William J. Nolan stepped in as Executive Director, bringing personal conviction and professional strategy to the mission. After the loss of his son, who had multiple disabilities, Nolan found purpose in ensuring others received the support they needed to thrive.
He believed in “controlled growth,” expanding services in ways that never compromised KenCrest’s heart. One of his earliest initiatives was the construction of seven new residential homes at River Crest. Designed to blend into suburban neighborhoods, these homes offered privacy, dignity, and a new sense of normalcy.
That same year, Ye Olde House and Janney House became the first group homes in Pennsylvania to be approved for federal Intermediate Care Facility (ICF) funding. This groundbreaking achievement made KenCrest a statewide model for residential innovation.
In 1985, KenCrest launched a revolutionary approach to care: the Lifesharing Program. One of the first in Pennsylvania, the program matched adults with disabilities with loving host families, fostering deep and often lifelong relationships. These were not temporary arrangements; they were true families, rooted in mutual respect, support, and growth. Lifesharing remains one of KenCrest’s most meaningful and enduring contributions to disability services.
Community Living at KenCrest Today
Today, KenCrest’s Community Living programs continue to build on the legacy of the 1970s and 1980s, offering a wide spectrum of residential options designed to meet people where they are in life.
- Community Living Homes (CLAs): Small group homes in neighborhood settings, where individuals live with peers and receive support tailored to their needs. These homes focus on promoting independence, community participation, and personal choice.
- Lifesharing: Adults with disabilities live with host families, forming deep bonds and becoming integrated members of the household. Lifesharing continues to thrive as a person-first, relationship-centered model of care.
- Supported Independent Living: For those ready to live more independently, KenCrest offers services that help individuals manage their own apartments or homes with as much autonomy as possible, while still receiving personalized support.
Honoring the Past, Building the Future
KenCrest’s shift from institutions to community homes wasn’t just an address change, it was a revolution in how society views and values people with disabilities. From the first residential homes to Lifesharing to today’s range of inclusive community living services, KenCrest has remained committed to dignified, person-centered care that adapts to each individual’s needs, dreams, and potential.
As we reflect on this transformative decade, one thing is clear: KenCrest helped lead a movement that changed lives—and it continues to do so every day.
Join Us in Building a More Inclusive Future
KenCrest’s commitment to community living began nearly 50 years ago, but the work is far from over. Today, we continue to create spaces where people with intellectual and developmental disabilities can live with dignity, independence, and joy.
You can help us continue this legacy.
Whether you become a Lifesharing host, support our community homes, or make a donation, your involvement helps ensure that everyone has the opportunity to live fully, belong deeply, and thrive in their community.