The J. Arthur Trudeau Center was founded in 1964, fueled by the desire of two parents to help their child, and bolstered by the support of committed legislators and community members who shared their passion that every individual should have the opportunity to thrive.
That pattern has continued throughout Trudeau’s history all the way to today, allowing our organization to serve more people, establish new programs, and stay on the forefront of treatment, education, and services to help those with intellectual and developmental disabilities to thrive.
Now, as we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Trudeau Center, we look back on the incredible history and chain of events that has brought our organization to where it is today…
1930’s
Providence firefighter J. Arthur Trudeau and his wife Evelyn began to have concerns about the development of their son Kenneth.
J. Arthur and Evelyn Trudeau with their adult sons.
At the time there was no comprehensive support system for children with developmental disabilities and limited educational programs. Many were sent to a state-run institution with sub-standard conditions and very few opportunities to learn or to lead a happy existence. Parents and family members had no resources to help them cope or deal with children with disabilities.
1951
The “Parents Council” is Formed
J. Arthur Trudeau, second from left, and John E. Fogarty, far right
Arthur and Evelyn Trudeau, along with 100 other parents, formed the Council to serve as a support and advocacy group for families of children with developmental disabilities.
Bolstering their effort was then-U.S. Representative John E. Fogarty, an advocate for the disabled on the national level, and a personal friend of Arthur Trudeau from his days at La Salle Academy in Providence.
1951
1952
The John E. Fogarty Center of Providence is established.
By the early 1960s the Fogarty Center was “the only occupational training for disabled children in the United States.” The model for the Trudeau Center would be based upon this concept, while Congressman Fogarty successfully lobbied for legislation on the national level that would fund special education services for the first time.
1957
Arthur Trudeau is elected Northeast Regional Director of the National ARC
J. Arthur Trudeau on his office phone.
In this role, he had the opportunity to meet with President John F. Kennedy about the newly-established Presidents Committee.
1957
1964
Trudeau and his team establish the Warwick-East Greenwich ARC
They begin the momentous project of constructing a building to house its services on land along Post Road in Apponaug that had been donated by the City of Warwick. Plans for the building included a new daycare center and an occupational training center.
December, 1965
Arthur Trudeau dies suddenly at the young age of 53.
Evelyn Trudeau holds a photo of her husband, J. Arthur. Their son Kenneth can be seen in the foreground.
Having served as the primary advocate and moving force, many feared that efforts would diminish in his absence. However due to all Arthur had accomplished before his death, and thanks to the efforts of Representative Fogarty and others, the ARC flourished.
December, 1965
October, 1966
The building to house the ARC is completed, and is aptly named the J. Arthur Trudeau Memorial Center in honor of the program’s founder.
1969 – 1997
The Trudeau Center continues to grow, adding Adult Services and another building.
The need for daycare services was increasing, and an Early Intervention Program was also established. In addition, the children that had been served over the years are now adults, and the center created new programs and services appropriate to that age group, including residences to house adults with disabilities. To help accommodate this growth, a new building was constructed on Commonwealth Avenue in Warwick on land owned by the Community College of Rhode Island.1969 – 1997
1998
The Pathways Strategic Teaching Center is founded by parents of children with autism and related disorders, with the help of Trudeau Center administrators.
Pathways offers the first comprehensive education and treatment program for children with autism and related disorders in the state. It now operates out of its own facility located at the Center of New England in Coventry, RI. Pathways education and treatment strategies are based on the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis, an organized and systematic approach that has been demonstrated effective in building skills as well as assessing and treating problem behavior.2024
The J. Arthur Trudeau Memorial Center celebrates 60 years of helping to ensure every individual has the opportunity to thrive.
Trudeau Center President and CEO Al Vario outside the Trudeau Center’s main campus.
The Trudeau Center is now one of Rhode Island’s leading human service organizations, and one of very few to offer programs and services for all life stages. As we look ahead to the organization’s next 60 years and beyond, we remain committed to providing the latest and best treatment and services for those we serve, and energized by the incredible support from those who make our continued services and growth possible.
2024
A Legacy of Care: The Trudeau Center Story – Then and Now
From its founding over 60 years ago by J. Arthur Trudeau, to its position today as Rhode Island’s leading provider of services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, the Trudeau Center remains a place where dedicated staff help individuals of all ages reach their full potential.
Watch now to see and hear how Trudeau is creating brighter futures for everyone.
