By BECKY HAND
Community Editor
     In 1954, parents of disabled children were looking for nothing more than a place for their children to learn. There was no place for them in the public schools.
     Often they were hidden away in nursing homes, or institutions.
     A few parents kept their children in their homes and looked for ways to give them a more normal life.
     In 1954 in Whitley County, a few of these families began working together for their children. Carole Kreider of South Whitley recalled in a speech in 2004 on the first fifty years of Passages, the families of Dave and Genny Walters, Max and Mary Holloway and Dr. Niccum formed the Whitley County Council for Retarded.
     This council set up a board of directors to provide guidance for the operation of an Opportunity School on Ellsworth Street, with Mary Holloway selected as the first teacher. Twelve students began school that year, beginning their passage to a better life.
     In 1956 the State of Indiana established the Indiana Association for Retarded Children, and by 1972, the public schools were mandated to provide special education for these students.
     It was in this year that the Opportunity Center began as a satellite under the auspices of the Cardinal Center, with 13 clients and three staff. The Opportunity Center would provide training for the students, in hopes of work and an income for them.
    This was also the year (1972) that Kay Fleck joined the board of directors and in the following years Passages grew and changed. As she looks to her retirement in the next few months as president of Passages, she remarked on these changes which occurred during her tenure.
     “We shifted from a ‘fix what’s wrong’ philosophy to a ‘focus on the strengths’ (of the students) philosophy,” Fleck said. Instead of institutionalizing the clients, the board now looks at integration into the community and group homes for supported or independent living.
    In 1997, Passages adopted a person-centered planning philosophy which is based more on the person, and not the expert’s opinions. Clients were asked what they wanted and Fleck says, “They want what we want” — a home and a means to support themselves.
     Others who have worked with Fleck over the years cannot say enough about her contributions. Carole Kreider, who had been a part of the organization almost since its inception, retired in 2004 after serving in many capacities for Passages.
     “She is a very dedicated person, she gives Passages 100 percent,” Kreider said. “I just love her.”
     Tommy Shupe worked with Passages until three years ago. She remembers “the little workshop on Line Street” when she moved to town 28 years ago. “Today it’s something we never dreamed of. Under Kay’s leadership and skills it has grown. Now the clients live in homes and are able to function (in the community),” Shupe said.
     “She had a vision for Passages. She was always on top of the way the organization was moving,” Shupe said. “Kay is a wonderful person, very professional. She is able to look to the future, to the survival (of Passages).”
     Through her direction a fund has been set up with the Whitley County Community Foundation called the Passages to the Future Fund. This will allow funding of the organization to continue in the event of unforeseen problems in the future, such as the economic problems we are experiencing now.
     Trudy Miller-Longhenry worked as Fleck’s right hand for 18 years eventually as her Administrative Assistant at Passages, stepping down in 2005. “I learned so much from her,” says Miller-Longhenry, “She is a people person and is always looking outside the box,” looking for other ways to get the clients involved in the community and to bring more funding to Passages.
     She spoke of Fleck’s involvement in getting the Clugston opened in 2001to provide safe, affordable housing for those over 55, lower income or disabled residents.
     Other networking occurred. Art Around the Square partnered the Whitley County Art Guild with Passages as co-sponsors. Whitley Meadows Apartments were completed in 2004 and six apartments were set aside for people with disabilities. In 2008, Heritage Homes opened 22 single family homes, with three being leased to people served by Passages. And these are just a few of the accomplishments during Fleck’s leadership.
     Fleck praises those who have worked with her over the years, and thinks the team of Alice Anderson, vice-president of adult services, and Dave Lehman, vice president of finance is an excellent match for Passages.
     Even when things didn’t look good, i.e. when Second Time Around closed, Miller-Longhenry admitted it was difficult, but Fleck always kept a positive attitude, saying “Change is good.”
      “She’s awesome, I love her to death,” says Miller-Longhenry, who would like to think of herself as a “mini-me” of Fleck after learning so much from her. She feels Fleck will be in demand now that she has freed up some of her time. “Her road doesn’t end here. She will do many more things,” says Miller-Longhenry. “It will be interesting to see what she will do next.”
     Fleck says she looks forward to serving on the hospital board, “if they will have me,” and will do consulting work for local non-profits. She also looks forward to gardening and traveling to see her grandchildren.

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