Our History
For more than 65 years, AWRC has evolved to meet the changing needs of individuals and communities. Founded in 1960, AWRC operates human services programs in Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Missouri, Montana, and Ohio.
Growth has required adaptation and innovation—expanding services, restructuring organizations, and developing new approaches to care to best accommodate the needs of those we serve. Each step forward has been guided by a commitment to increasing access, improving outcomes, and creating more opportunities for independence for individuals with disabilities and behavioral health needs.
Timeline
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![Image of Anthony Wayne Rehabilitation Center's original building in 1960.]()
1960
Anthony Wayne Rehabilitation Center for Handicapped and Blind, Inc. was founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana, to provide vocational rehabilitation for people with disabilities so they could pursue employment in their communities.
Over time, Anthony Wayne Rehabilitation Center for Handicapped and Blind began doing business as Anthony Wayne Services, expanding its capacity and offerings to serve individuals in northeast Indiana and beyond.
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![Black and white photo Bill Swiss with early clients]()
1975
AWRC Industries was founded.
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![Image of a Camp Red Cedar staff worker helping a disabled camper in a wheelchair learn how to shoot a bow and arrow.]()
1989
Red Cedar Center merged with Anthony Wayne Services and rebranded as Camp Red Cedar.
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![Image of a Highway Safety Specialists worker with highway safety equipment.]()
2000
Highway Safety Specialists was founded.
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![Image of an AWRC Industries worker in a manufacturing or workshop environment with other people in the background.]()
2007
AWRC restructured into three organizations: AWRC (not-for-profit), Benchmark Human Services (for-profit), and a private philanthropic foundation (now WindSwell Foundation).
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![Image of a Montana Residential Services patient and staffer talking and enjoying each other's company.]()
2016
Montana Residential Services was founded.
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2022
Post Masters, Blue Octopus Printing, and DOMA Document Solutions merged under the name Tandem Solutions.
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![Image of a women in one of AWRC's Georgia transitional homes working in a garden with a staffer.]()
2023
AWRC was awarded a contract through the State of Georgia’s Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities to operate transitional homes in Richmond County.
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![Image of a women working in a grocery store who is an AWRC Enact program participant.]()
2025
AWRC launched Enact, a new brand focused on residential services and career connections programs.
