Who We Are

• The San Fernando Valley Association for Retarded Children, Inc. (later doing business as New Horizons) was founded  in 1954 as a non-profit by parents of children with Down syndrome. 
• Eight classrooms were built to serve 100 children with mental retardation and other disabilities.

1960s

• Expanded training classes and leased facility in Northridge for Workshop program with initial enrollment of 54 adult clients.

• The State of California began educational services for children ages 3-22 with developmental disabilities. 
• New Horizons changed its focus to providing services for adults with special needs. 
• The agency changed its name to San Fernando Valley Association for the Retarded, Inc.
• A 20,000 square foot workshop was completed in 1975 to serve 200 adults in a work training setting.
• The first group home was opened for six young men with developmental disabilities at 15859 Parthenia Street with the support of The Questers.

• Six group homes were built, providing homes for 36 adults.
• The Brite Lites Theater Company was established as a dance troupe for clients with special talents in music and dance.  The Brite Lites began serving as outreach ambassadors to the community.
• Supported Employment program started in 1988-1989.

• Sam’s Café Project, an 11,000 square foot banquet hall and professional kitchen providing food service training to clients was opened in 1990.
• The Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) awarded New Horizons a grant to build two new group homes.
• Supported Living was launched as a pilot project, to support clients who wanted to live independently in their own homes or apartments in the community.
• An endowment fund, now called New Horizons Perpetual Foundation, Inc., was established.

• New Horizons received a grant from HUD to build three residential group homes, one specifically for those who needed increased medical care.
• The Windows to the Future $4 million fundraising campaign was launched in 2001 to help expand client program services, facility upgrades and the endowment fund.
• Job Club, Vision for Tomorrow and Pathways were initiated to provide pre-job training to clients.
• Independent Living Skills program was established for clients in transition from group or family living situations to independent living.
• Workshop contracts began to grow, with over $1million in goods being packaged from 2005 onward.
• New Horizons adopted new strategic plan and mission statement: New Horizons empowers individuals with developmental disabilities to fulfill their dreams.  Through partnerships, community education and advocacy, we create a brighter future in which our clients are accepted by, participate in, and add value to the community.
• In 2012, New Horizons received a HUD Grant to develop a group home for individuals with Developmental Disabilities and Alzheimers.