The Mary Campbell Center Overview
Our Mission
Discover, grow, and celebrate abilities.
It is a home, a sanctuary, a business, a blessing. But The Mary Campbell Center goes far beyond any of those things. The Mary Campbell Center is a phenomenal entity that lives because a few friends decided to give it life.
The Center is a place for people to live and grow. It is a place for people to improve themselves, to forget their disabilities for a moment and realize that they can contribute a part of themselves to this world.
The Mary Campbell Center provides long-term, short-term, and temporary respite care for individuals with disabilities such as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, spina bifida, multiple sclerosis, intellectual disabilities, and post trauma injuries.
The complex sits on 10 acres of land and the building is over 50,000 feet of accessible residential care units and specialized facilities.
The Children and Youth and 21+ Program utilizes many areas of The Center to facilitate recreational programs throughout the year.
The Mary Campbell Center is a non-profit, tax-exempt, charitable organization that receives funding from fees, Medicaid, foundations, individuals, corporations, and groups. The Mary Campbell Center is overseen by a Board of Directors who are actively involved in supporting The Center and its unique mission.
History & Milestones of the Mary Campbell Center
In 1969, Chuck and Charm Welch were inspired to explore the possibility of establishing a residential facility for young adults with disabilities. Their daughter, Charmie, lived with them at home, but the needs for her care were increasing. The Welchs were concerned about her care if somehow, they were unable to continue to provide it. Their vision was a home-like atmosphere unlike any traditional institution. After forming a non-profit corporation, Chuck and Charm were joined by their friends, Joe Picciotti and Dick DiSabatino, and together they began to visit existing facilities for people with disabilities, developing their vision and plans. During the planning stage, this group was introduced to Amos Campbell, who lived and farmed 10 acres on Weldin Road with his wife, Mary and daughter, Evelyn, who was born with Down Syndrome. Amos entered into an agreement with the corporation to donate his land for the building of the facility, and in return, Evelyn would reside in and be cared for by The Center. Named after Amos’ wife, The Mary Campbell Center opened its doors in 1976. Charmie Welch and Evelyn Campbell were among the first residents.
With success, growth and expansion of our programs, the need for more space was met with the help of many friends and foundations. In 1985, The Charmie Welch Memorial Wing was dedicated, housing the Joseph J. Picciotti Jr. Hydrotherapy Center, the Jean-Louis Vermeil Physical Therapy Room, and the Learning Center. In 1997, a new wing was dedicated and named for one of the founders, Barbara Z. Holmes. The upper level, now called EZee Street is a Skilled Nursing Unit. The lower level features a large atrium which is used for many resident activities and by the Children and Youth program. The All-Star Room was doubled in size in 2007 and a Snoezelen Room for sensory stimulation was added through the generosity of ADK Sorority.
We are grateful for those that dedicated their lives to helping form the MCC. Without Chuck, Joe and the founding members, this vision would not be possible.
The Mary Campbell Center Founders
The Mary Campbell Center is a dream built by a small group of people bound together by fate and compassion. It is a home, a sanctuary, a blessing, and so much more. The Center is a place for people with physical and cognitive challenges to live and grow. It is a place where ABILITY is discovered and celebrated every day.
The Mary Campbell Center will be forever grateful to our nine Founders whose vision, determination, and guidance has made a mission of service to individuals with disabilities flourish since the very beginning in 1976.
- Marjorie M. Anderson
- Richard P. DiSabatino, Sr.
- Barbara Z. Holmes
- David W. Holmes
- William H. Kelley
- Joseph J. Picciotti, Jr.
- Marcia V. Raniere
- Charles E. Welch
- Charma L. Welch
Inspired to Explore an Idea
Opening of MCC’s Doors
Dedication of the Charmie Welch Memorial Wing
Dedication of the Barbara Z. Holmes Memorial Wing
All-Star Room doubled in size
Our Guiding Principles for Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement
MCC strives to create an atmosphere that fosters positive interactions between residents, staff, loved ones and community participants. Employees are encouraged to embrace and put these principles into practice to create a positive culture that is caring, compassionate and built upon mutual respect.
- The Board of Directors has made attention to performance with the highest quality one of the major elements of the mission of The Mary Campbell Center since its inception.
- We deliver care and services adhering to the best-known practices, using quality assurance and performance improvement to make decisions and guide our day-to-day operations.
- We approach each person every day with a cheerful and respectful manner, with the outcome of unsurpassed quality of care and quality of life for the residents.
- At The Mary Campbell Center, quality assurance and performance improvement include all employees, all departments, and all services provided.
- We encourage the interdependence and mutual respect of all staff, focusing on systems and processes, helping one another to create a culture that identifies system gaps without blaming individuals.
- We make decisions based on data, which includes the input and experience of caregivers, residents, family members, and other members of our community.
- We encourage our staff to support each other and to take ownership for the care and services provided to the residents.
- The Mary Campbell Center sets goals for quality assurance and performance improvement and measures progress toward those goals.