Desert Haven Enterprises began with one parent seeking a playmate for
her son who had developed brain damage and mental retardation
as a result of contracting meningitis. |
 Responding to an ad placed
by Luella Henstra in a local newspaper, a small group of parents
met on July 15, 1954, in Mrs. Henstra's home. Out of that meeting
grew the Antelope Valley Association for Retarded Children,
later to become the Association for Retarded Citizens of |
 Antelope
Valley, and today, Desert Haven Enterprises, Incorporated.
That same year, preschool classes were begun in homes of parents,
and by 1957, the classes had expanded to full-time at a
separate facility on land donated by Luella and Jack Henstra.
|
In 1966, little more than a decade later, the organization
began vocational training programs for adults. The 25,000
square foot Desert Haven facility was built in 1982 and
included a 14,000 square foot workshop. Numerous new programs
were added and in 1992, in anticipation of further expansion,
DHE completed construction of the 16,000 square foot Administration/Program
building, as well as a 3,000 square foot warehousing facility
in 2001.
Today, maximizing the potential and independence of persons with
developmental disabilities through vocational training and
job placement is the primary function of Desert Haven Enterprises.
Programs of Desert Haven Enterprises are accredited by the Commission
on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), the
nation's accreditation agency in the fields of medical rehabilitation,
behavioral health, and employment and community support
services. In May 2003, DHE was awarded its sixth consecutive,
three-year accreditation, the highest level achievable.
Programs accredited were employment planning services, employment
skills training services, organizational employment services
and community employment services.
Desert Haven will undergo its next CARF survey in April/May of
2006. Anyone interested in reviewing the most recent survey
may do so by contacting the Executive Director.
DHE programs, services and facilities are also licensed by the
U.S. Department of Labor, the California State Department
of Rehabilitation, the California State Department of Developmental
Services, and the City of Lancaster.
Back to Top
|
 |
|
Desert Haven Enterprises, Incorporated is a private, nonprofit organization
dedicated to developing, enhancing, and promoting the capabilities
of persons with mental retardation and other developmental
disabilities.
The primary objective of the agency is to enable persons to overcome
barriers to employment through vocational training, job placement,
community-based employment, and supportive services; thereby,
maximizing their potential to become independent, self-supporting
members of their community.
Work plays an integral role in the lives of human beings. Work
enhances a person's feeling of self-worth, self-confidence,
and self-respect. Through work, people become productive,
contributing members of their community.
Persons with developmental disabilities such as mental retardation,
seizure disorder, cerebral palsy, autism, and traumatic brain
injury are no different. They, too, desire and seek the opportunity
to work. They, too, gain feelings of self-worth, self-confidence,
and self-respect through the work experience, and they, too,
become productive, contributing members of their community.
|
|
