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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E376-E377]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING THE CEDARS OF MARIN CENTENNIAL
______
HON. JARED HUFFMAN
of california
in the house of representatives
Monday, April 1, 2019
Mr. HUFFMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today in celebration of Cedars of
Marin reaching its centennial. The oldest and largest organization of
its kind in Marin County, Cedars was the first residential school
facility to serve individuals with mental disabilities in the western
United States, a mission that it has stayed true to this day.
Founded in 1919, Cedars was originally established as a privately-
owned school in Marin County for children with mental disabilities.
After a change in ownership in 1938, the school grew, adding two
dormitories and 22 acres of land over the next 18 years. By 1964, the
school had expanded significantly, adding a ranch lodge, pool,
workshop, and stables. One year later, the privately-owned school
[[Page E377]]
was incorporated as a nonprofit, with the name Cedars Development
Foundation. As a newly minted nonprofit, the organization pivoted to
focus on both the education and housing of individuals with
intellectual and developmental disabilities. This led to the opening of
Cedars' first community-based home in 1968, pioneering a model for
which the organization would become known. By 1984, Cedars began its
Community Living Skills day program, expanding the organization's
programming into skills development and community building for
individuals who weren't housed by the program. Over the next seven
years, Cedars would continue to innovate, adding a Community Challenges
program, opening eight additional community-based homes, and initiating
a successful capital campaign to renovate the original site. By 1995,
the organization was officially re-named Cedars of Marin.
Today, Cedars of Marin has provided services to over 2,500
individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Through
the organization's innovative community-based housing program, Cedars
now houses approximately 100 individuals across its main campus and ten
group homes, building a safe and productive environment for them to
reach their highest levels of independence. The organization's skills-
focused day programs serve over 190 individuals each weekday, creating
a larger community of support for the intellectually and
developmentally disabled, while also helping their families.
Madam Speaker, Cedars of Marin has continued to be an innovative
leader in the areas of residential, educational, and community building
programs for the intellectually and developmentally disabled. Through
the unwavering dedication of its leadership and staff, the organization
has never lost sight of its original purpose to provide opportunities
to help these individuals live as independently as possible, while
leading happy and productive lives. Therefore, please join me in
congratulating Cedars of Marin for a century of inspiring work, and in
wishing them many more years of success.
____________________
