Independence and community integration for people with intellectual disabilities.
WATCH History
In 1972, WATCH then known as Tuolumne Calaveras Association for the Handicapped, a non-profit corporation, began providing services for adults with intellectual disabilities. Work Activities for Tuolumne County Handicapped (WATCH) opened its doors for the first time in the old Poverty Hill School house in Stent. This original program was the first state funded service for adults with intellectual disabilities in Tuolumne County. In the beginning there were 8 individuals attending this newly established activity center. As our enrollment grew, so did the number and types of services we offered.
Poverty Hill School, Stent, CA
Timeline
1971 ~ A drop-in recreation center is operated by volunteers in the old log youth center building in Sonora.
1972 ~ Work Activities for Tuolumne County Handicapped opens in Stent.
1976 ~ WATCH Transportation services for Tuolumne and Calaveras counties began, allowing a greater number of people to attend.
1979 ~ Tuolumne County Independent Living Program (TCILP) began supporting people to live independently in their own homes. This new concept received international recognition. This service is currently known as Supported Living (SL).
1979 ~ A new vocational component to the activities center was added. At this point the name of the activity center changed to Work Activities for Tuolumne/Calaveras Handicapped or WATCH, as we continued to be known.
1980 ~ Infant Child Enrichment Services (ICES) was developed; it was spun off in 1984 to become a separate non-profit corporation.
1983 ~ WATCH relocated to East Sonora.
1984 ~ Opened a 6 person board and care home in Sonora, Tuolumne County Residential Program (TCRP). This home was transferred 2 years later to new ownership.
1987 ~ Social Recreation program started, Handicapped Involved in Games, Entertainment, Arts, and Recreation (HI-GEAR).
1990 ~ Supported Employment (SE) service began job coaching individuals in community job placements.
1990 ~ Ownership of TCRP transferred back to WATCH and subsequently was renamed Kelso Court.
1992 ~ WATCH receives a major Housing and Urban Development Grant to purchase and renovate the Kelso Court Home.
1993 ~ Ventures Angels Camp, a Calaveras county branch of the day program opens, its name was later changed to Outlook.
1996 ~ Opened the Good Stuff, a thrift store to benefit WATCH.
1997 ~ Corporation name is changed to WATCH Resources, Inc.
1997 ~ We celebrated our 25th anniversary with a visit from Kim Peak, the “real Rain Man”.
1998 ~ Housing Opportunities Match (HOM) an adult foster care support service began.
2000 ~ WATCH takes ownership of Goldstrike, an existing board and care facility in San Andreas, home to 12 residents.
2003 ~ Opened a second Good Stuff store in Angels Camp.
2006 ~ HOM was spun off to California Mentor.
2008 ~ Discontinued operation of Kelso Court as a board and care home.
2008 ~ Opened Kelso Court house as a congregate living home.
2011 ~ Purchased and renovated the building at 12801 Cabezut Road, Sonora.
2013 ~ Discontinued operation of Outlook and Good Stuff II in Angels Camp.
2014 ~ Relocated Good Stuff to 10 Pesce Way, Sonora
2020 ~ Governor issues Stay at Home Order (COVID-19) on March 19, Visions and HIGEAR in person services are suspended
2020 ~ Began offering "Alternative Services", Visions and HIGEAR via Zoom.
2020 ~ The "Swirlz" yogurt shop was donated to WATCH, unfortunately it was closed in 2021.
2021 ~ After a few false starts Visions and HIGEAR began offering "In Person" services again in May 2021.
2022 ~ The retirement of Executive Director Christine Daly and the hiring of new Executive Director Clinton Bower
2022 ~ 50th Anniversary Celebration!
Funding for our programs comes from the State Department of Developmental Services, Regional Centers, grants, some program participant fees, Department of Rehabilitation, and donations. We have seen many changes and much growth since our humble beginnings, and we continue to look for new and better ways to serve the changing needs of our program participants.