About Us: History

For years, Horizon Homes and Idlewood Center existed as separate agencies with the same mission: to provide individuals with mental retardation an opportunity to live a more self determined lifestyle through community-based living arrangements. On January 1, 1999, Idlewood Center and Horizon Homes merged to form Mainstay Life Services.

Beginnings

Horizon Homes was founded in 1969, when a small group of parents, led by Dr. Walter Jacob, created a home-like setting where their young children with mental retardation could receive clinical care and training. Those first trustees sought a nurturing environment removed from institutionalization that would provide potential for growth and development.

Similarly, in 1971, community leaders and family members of individuals with mental retardation, led by Mr. William Hoebler, united to establish community-based homes in the South Hills. This marked the founding of Idlewood Center. The Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh provided Idlewood's first home in Carnegie for $1 a year – a relationship that continues today.

Both Horizon Homes and Idlewood Center were pioneers in developing services and supports for individuals with mental retardation in Allegheny County. Both were recognized for quality of service and commitment to individuals with mental retardation and their families. Both also had strong Boards of Directors involved in governance, policy-making and fundraising. Since the mid-1980s, each experienced a marked increase in residential services due to the downsizing and eventual closing of state institutions. Additionally, Allegheny County MH/MR selected both agencies to take over services provided by Chartiers MH/MR Center when that agency divested itself of residential programming. At the time of the merger, Horizon Homes was Allegheny County's third largest provider of habilitation services for individuals with mental retardation, and Idlewood Center ranked fifth. United as Mainstay Life Services, Horizon Homes and Idlewood Center are able to be even more successful in providing residential services to individuals with developmental disabilities.

Today

Having grown from serving eight children in 1971, to 275 individuals today, Mainstay Life Services is now amongst the largest residential service providers in Allegheny County. Mainstay Life Services' defining aim is to assist individuals with developmental disabilities to lead full and productive everyday lives in the community. The agency accomplishes this best by constantly striving to offer flexible, high quality, personalized supports that honor individual choice and promote interdependence and collaboration with others in the community.

In meeting these goals, Mainstay Life Services has fought to overcome social stigmas associated with developmental disabilities and promote integration within the community. We have demonstrated that individuals with developmental disabilities can conduct themselves with dignity, as well as make a positive contribution to the communities in which they live.

Mainstay Life Services has always strived to avoid 'one-size-fits-all' institutional solutions. Through person-centered planning, we take into consideration the talents, skills and challenges of the individual and provide supports to help each person reach optimal independence.