HORIZONS UNLIMITED OF PALO ALTO COUNTY, INC.
“Pursuing a Better Quality of Life for People”

History of Horizons Unlimited

1966: The Palo Alto Association for Retarded Citizens began a program for adults with disabilities.

1968: The program moved to the Palo Alto County Home where a few rooms were remodeled to allow the individuals to work on piecework for Pamline Manufacturing.

1970: The program moved to the “Open Door School” building on 16th Street in Emmetsburg.  In this setting, the men worked on Pamline Contracts and woodworking while the women learned sewing and rug-making skills.  The women also packaged sample products for Style-Craft Furniture of Milford.

1975: A new building was constructed at King and Seventh Streets in Emmetsburg and the program were moved there. Ceramics and providing congregate meals to senior citizens were the main activities at this time.

1982: In July, the program almost doubled in size as Willing Workers merged with Project Learning, a program at Iowa Lake Community College. On November 17, the name was officially changed to Horizons Unlimited of Palo Alto County, Inc.

1983: Horizons Unlimited received accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, also known as CARF.

1985: Horizons opened their first group home at 2201 21st Street, providing housing for eight individuals.

1988: In April, Horizons purchased a new building (3104 Main) which was remodeled to serve as our Can and Bottle Redemption Center.

1990: Horizons rented the former convent in West Bend to house five men in a Group Home setting.  The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) gave full approval to Horizons with the highest accreditation renewal of three years.  The Supported Employment Program was added to our service base.

1991: Horizons received a $203,000 recycling grant from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR).  The Recycling Center moved to the newly acquired building along Highway 4 South in Emmetsburg.

1993: The INCH (Independent Community Housing) expanded to include clients living in privately rented apartments.

1994: In April, the Recycling Center began receiving materials from Kossuth and Pocahontas Counties, in addition to the Palo Alto County.  An expansion was necessary to accommodate the increased volume of recyclables.  This expansion was funded by a grant from the DNR for $270,000.

1996: Horizons received the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF)  three- year Certification.  In July, Horizons completed an OSHA Safety and Health Consultation.

1997: Purchased a one-head Melco embroidery machine.  This was the beginning of Horizon’s embroidery business called “Creative Stitches”.

1998: Horizons Unlimited became the first facility of its kind nationally to win OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Program/Star Award. In 1998, a four-head Melco embroidery machine was purchased to enhance productivity at Creative Stitches.

2000: In June, Horizons received a charitable gift from the Arthur and Audrey Smith Foundation.  In December, Horizons received a NO-interest loan from the DNR to be used for the expansion of the workshop area.

2001: In June, Horizons received a charitable gift from the Smith Foundation.  In August, the construction of a 6,600-sq. ft. addition was completed.  In September, Horizons was selected as the winner of the IOWA RECYCLING Association’s 2001 Recycling Facility of the Year.

2003: In February, Creative Stitches began silk screening.  In November, Horizons purchased a new dryer for silk screening.

2004:  In May, Horizons received a charitable gift of $3,000 from Arthur and Audrey Smith Foundation.  In June, Horizons held our Annual Appreciation BBQ.  In October, Horizons began initial planning for HUBB.

2005: In April, remodeling began for the HUBB.  In June, Horizons received a charitable gift from the Smith Foundation and held our Annual Appreciation BBQ.  In September, the HUBB opened for business.

2006: In April, Horizons received a one-year CARF accreditation.  In May, Horizons received a charitable gift of $10,000 from the Arthur and Audrey Smith Foundation.

2007: In March, Horizons received $5,000 charitable gift from the Lorraine Morling Estate.  In May, Chief Executive Office Ronald C. Ludwig resigned after 19 years of service to Horizons.  In June, the HUBB building sold.  In August, Eddie M. Hannagan was hired as new C.E.O. of Horizons Unlimited.  In September, the Annual Appreciation BBQ was changed to Annual BBQ Fund-raiser.  In October, CARF gave Horizons a one-year accreditation.

2008: In March of 2008, Horizons received grant money of $33,781 from the Palo Alto County Gaming Development Corporation to be used for the purchase of a new four-head Melco embroidery machine for Creative Stitches. In May, Horizons received a charitable gift from the Arthur and Audrey Smith Foundation. In June, Horizons received a $9,204 Dollar General Grant to increase literacy at Project Learning. In August, the “Get Green” campaign to increase recycling awareness began. In October, Horizons received a $2,000 grant from Iowa Protections and Advocacy Services (ID Action) to encourage disabled citizens to vote.
In October, Horizons received a DNR grant of $13,485 for improvements in the Redemption Center and CARF gave Horizons a three-year accreditation.

2009: In February of 2009, Horizons CEO Ed Hannagan left Horizons.  Also, in February, Horizons received a $69,999 grant from Palo Alto County Gaming Development Corporation to remodel two bathrooms for to meet and exceed the American Disabilities Act requirements and for renovations for the new Day Hab Center.  In March, Creative Stitches closed and Horizons received a three-year accreditation from Chapter 24. In April, Creative Stitches was sold and started in a new location near the courthouse in Emmetsburg. On April 20, the day habilitation program started at Horizons in a temporary location.