With services officially underway, ECHO began fulfilling its mission to empower adults with disabilities. In the spring of 1975, a milestone moment marked the beginning of ECHO’s impact—a program participant received their first paycheck. This moment wasn’t just about a paycheck; it was about dignity, independence, and the power of meaningful employment.

In a pivotal step toward expanding opportunities, ECHO acquired its very first van for just $1 from LARC. This humble purchase marked the beginning of ECHO’s transportation fleet, ensuring ECHO participants could access jobs, training, and community programs with ease.

ECHO took a major step forward, receiving its official 501(c)(3) nonprofit designation from the IRS. This milestone solidified our commitment to empowering adults with disabilities and allowed us to expand services, partnerships, and opportunities. With this status, ECHO’s mission gained momentum, paving the way for decades of impact and community support.

ECHO expanded our services in 1980 by opening a prevocational unit, allowing us to prepare individuals for meaningful employment. Dedicated to pre-employment skills training and job readiness, this program provided hands-on learning experiences to help participants gain confidence and workplace skills. This initiative laid the foundation for ECHO’s long-standing commitment to empowering individuals through career and life skills development.

ECHO expanded its mission through entrepreneurship, launching ECHO Direct Mail Services with the support of a DARS grant. This bulk mailing business created new job opportunities for the individuals we serve, offering hands-on experience and meaningful employment. As part of ECHO’s corporate umbrella, Direct Mail Services became another avenue for empowerment.

With the purchase of our Lawson Road building, ECHO established a permanent home for our services— a space that remains our hub to this day. This move marked a pivotal shift in our approach, transitioning away from sheltered operations and embracing external partnerships that promote community integration. By expanding opportunities beyond our walls, ECHO reinforced its commitment to personal development and inclusion for all we serve.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, ECHO launched three social enterprises—Blue Elegance, ECHO Barkery, and Inclusive Solutions—to create new job opportunities for our participants. With the sudden loss of many contracted worksites, these businesses provided a pathway for employment, skill-building, and community engagement. Born out of resilience, our enterprises continue to thrive.

ECHO hosted its very first Big Day Out—a day filled with music, dancing, laughter, and unforgettable moments for staff, participants, community members, and loved ones. Designed for all our program participants to relax, have fun, and celebrate with friends, the event was an overwhelming success. It was such a hit that Big Day Out is now a beloved ECHO tradition, ensuring that joy, connection, and celebration remain at the heart of what we do for years to come.

March 17, 2025, marks 50 years of ECHO! Since 1975, we’ve been empowering adults with disabilities through employment, skill building, and community engagement, growing from a small group of dedicated parents into a thriving organization that changes lives every day. As we celebrate this incredible milestone, we honor our past, embrace our present, and look forward to a future filled with even more opportunities for those we serve.