Inter-Fraternity Cerebral Palsy Association:

CORBROOK - A COLLABORATION OF FRATERNITIES

In the 1940s, three fraternity alumnae groups at the University of Toronto (Alpha Chi Omega, Alpha Gamma Delta and Alpha Omicron Pi) looked at the fate of children with severe physical disabilities. When these children reached the age of 18, they were virtually abandoned to a life of being housebound with nothing to do.

In 1950, these three fraternities formed The Inter Fraternity Cerebral Palsy Association. With volunteer help from members of Delta Delta Delta and Kappa Kappa Gammas, if offered recreational activities on half day a week. Other activities were offered as the need was observed and as money and space allowed, such as crafts, speech therapy and occupationaly therapy. The transportaion was handled by the volunteers and service clubs.

Due to two donations of money (one from Mr. Corman, the father of June Hesse, an Alpha Chi Omega volunteer, and one from the Colebrook family, Grace Colebrook was an Alpha Gamma Delta) the name Corbrook was formed.

Instrumental to this collarboration was Muriel "Mike" Lawson Heyland (AGD). She was instrumental in establishing the Adult Cerebral Palsy Institute of Metropolitan Toronto. She also helped organize the Inter-Fraternity Cerebral Palsy Workshops and a treatment center which provided physical, occupational and speech therapy. Mike was later named an Alpha Gamma Delta Distinguished Citizen (Outstanding Leadership in Altruistic Service) in 1965. She entered Chapter Grand on May 29, 1973.

Since the 1950s, Corbrooks' Board of Directors was made up from members of one of the original founding Panhellenic groups. Notably Helen Findlay Walton (AGD) and most recently Gloria LeGrow (ACW), Audrey Baird (ACW) served on the Board. Helen Walton passed away of cancer, therefore terminating her presidency a year early. Gloria then assumed the role of President. Gloria then again held the position of President for a second time, during the 50 year anniversary in 2000. Both Gloria and Audrey are retired from the Board of Directors.

Through the years, the focus has changed in accordance with the needs of persons with physical disabilities. For one thing, moving from one place to another has become much easier due to modified vehicles, sloping of curbs, accessible public buildings, etc.

Now Corbrook offers three distinct types of service for persons with challenges. In the employment stream Corbrook staff provide guidance on career direction, placement services and job coaching at the employer's site.

A second service is the Work Program, which utilizes a packaging/assembly business for persons to improve their work habits or their endurance. Others use this program as an alternative to work life.

The third stream at Corbrook is called REVEL (Recreation, Exercise, Volunteering, Entertainment, Life Skills). It provides support to the participants to enhance their quality of life.

Corbrook invites you to volunteer or maker another contribution to their work.

For more information about Corbrook today, and the wide services it now provides including vast employment opportunities for adults with challenges, please visit their website www.corbrook.net.