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MRC Industries, Inc. Mission, Vision and Values

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A History of MRC Industries, Inc.

MRC Industries, Inc. began in the 1940's when a group of parents took the initiative to provide alternatives for their disabled children. Incorporating officially in 1969, MRC has remained close to its family roots while evolving into a non-profit agency that administers innovative and diverse services through its programs: McKercher Skill-Building Services, Pathways Clubhouse, BridgeWays Case Management and Community Employment.

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Small schools for children with disabilities are begun by concerned parents.

1940's
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Programs merge into the Kalamazoo School for Retarded Children with the support of the Kellogg Foundation and Community Chest.

1950's
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The school moves to the old Hoover School in Comstock.

1960's
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First industrial contracts for the Kalamazoo School for Retarded Children come from the Shakespeare Co. and the Upjohn Co. (Public Schools begin offering Special Education Classes.)

1965
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McKercher Rehabilitation Center incorporates to provide vocational services for adults with disabilities.

1969
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McKercher begins offering a wide range of production services such as assembly, sorting, collating, packaging, drilling, machinery and woodworking. Rehabilitation services were funded by the Kalamazoo County Community Mental Health Board.

1970's
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The McKercher Non-Profit Housing Corporation is formed to operate three group homes: Stanton House, Douglas House, and Hoard Manor. Residential Opportunities Incorporated (ROI) is formed to manage these group homes and develop others.

Mid 1970's
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McKercher Rehabilitation Center purchases the Shakespeare building at 205 E. Water Street, Kalamazoo, Michigan.

1981
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Both programs are consolidated at Water Street location.

1982
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MRC Industries, Inc. is adopted as the official name to reflect the desire for a higher profile within the business community.

1983
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Pilot program begins to provide supported employment.

1985
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MRC receives grants from the Developmental Disabilities Council, Michigan Rehabilitative Services, and Kalamazoo County Community Mental Health to expand its supported employment programs.

Late 1980's
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MRC moves to a new location at 1310 Bank Street, Kalamazoo, Michigan. MRC becomes administrator for Pathways, a membership organization for individuals with mental illness.

1991
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MRC wins grant to begin School-To-Work employment services for young adults with disabilities.

1994
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Bank Street facility expands with new storage building. Pathways begins offering support to Universal & Universal, a member-run business.

1995
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MRC purchases 119 W. Vine building for Pathways. Pathways achieves CARF accreditation for its clubhouse and employment programs.

1996
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Pathways celebrates its 20th anniversary.

1997
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MRC begins Youth Transition program with a grant from Michigan Rehabilitative Services to serve youth with emotional impairments. The program is called Connections.

1999
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MRC's BridgeWays Case Management is started to provide case management and support services for individuals who are living with a diagnosis of mental illness.

2004
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Damaged by the Kalamazoo floods of 2008, MRC was forced to relocate from its Bank Street location.

2008
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MRC purchases the 2538 S. 26th Street building in Comstock Township for McKercher.

2010
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MRC redefines its focus to serving adults with disabilities. Connections is absorbed into the Pathways Program.

2012
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Through a technical grant funded by the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), MRC expands its Community Employment program to dedicate more resources to fully integrated employment.

2015

Welcome to MRC Industries, Inc.

MRC Main Administrative Office and McKercher
2538 S. 26th St.
Kalamazoo, MI 49048 
269-343-0747

MRC BridgeWays Case Management
1606 S. Burdick Street
Kalamazoo, MI 49001 
269-552-3440

artWorks
330 South Burdick
South Kalamazoo Mall
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
269-978-0028