How We Started

The First Years, 1948–2007

In about 1948, the parent group from the El Monte Cerebral Palsy School, looking to the future, had paper drives, rummage sales, sold Stanley Home Products and Christmas cards (their biggest money-maker) to raise money. They decided to build a workshop for the handicapped. A parent who was a cement block builder said he could get enough blocks and brick masons to build a 4,000 square foot building in a few weeks — all donated. A lady across the street from the school offered to give them her property to build on. Then she could not get a clear title.

Ganzer Roland from the Union Pacific Railroad had a friend in advertising who placed a story in a Pasadena newspaper telling of their problem. Joe Jurovic read the article and gave them a large lot next to the El Monte Airport to build on. Then came time to build. They got on the telephone and went to the lumberyard, hardware stores, and more to get donated materials. It took one year to build, working most every weekend. Chintz Herndon and Ganzer Roland, plus a handful of other parents, took part. All of the materials and labor were donated, except for the steel beams which had to be purchased at a cost of $4,000 — all the money they had accumulated during their many fundraising projects. No government assistance was received for any of the construction.

The workshop opened in June of 1962, with parents running it, and a thrift shop opened at the same time. The thrift shop operated from June 1962 until 1985 — 23 years — with all workers donating their time. In 1971, because of a street extension, the workshop had to move. A parent found the property, with its beautiful view of the mountains, on which the workshop is now located. They made enough money from the original workshop to rebuild. The residential facility followed, opening in 1985. A team of three women spent about one year furnishing the homes — bedrooms, dining rooms, and living rooms — pictures, bedding, pots and pans, dishes, lamps, and more.

The most frequently asked question is: How did you do this and where did you get the financing to start up? The above gives a little insight into how SGVTC and the Residential Facilities got started.

1. 1948

   A group of parents, headed by Ganzer and Shirley Roland, had a vision: to provide a place for continuing the education and training of their children with developmental disabilities who were no longer eligible for special education programs in public schools. When enough funds were collected, the first facility was built next to the El Monte Airport on land donated by Mr. Joe Jurovic. It opened with one Executive Director and 12 clients.

2. 1962

   A new facility was opened — all done without loans or government assistance. The actual construction was mostly done by parents, primarily Ganzer Roland and Chintz Herndon, with help from local workmen such as electricians and plumbers and donations from local merchants for building materials.

3. 1962

   The Opportunity Thrift Shop became a reality. The shop was staffed with volunteer parents and was designed to augment the funding base.

4. 1965

   SGVTC now had 25 clients and the Board of Directors voted in favor of taking over (rescuing) the Community Rehabilitation and Training Center (CRTC) in Covina.

5. 1971

   A street extension to benefit and facilitate the El Monte Airport required SGVTC to be compensated for its investment and vacate. A parent found the new site, which is the current location of the facility. Proceeds of the sale of the old facility were sufficient to build the new one.

6. 1972

   SGVTC now had 85 clients.

7. 1985

   The Residential Facility opened, and the Opportunity Thrift Shop closed.

8. 1998

   The Board of Directors developed its first Strategic Plan.

9. 2012

   SGVTC celebrated 50 years of providing quality services to persons with developmental disabilities.

10. 2012–on

    The Board of Directors increased in size and continued working towards meeting the challenges of changing social and regulatory attitudes regarding segregated workshops and stagnant and/or diminishing government funding.

11. 2015

    SGVTC applied for and began to incorporate the dba "The Roland Center", and the credo: "Dedicated to the Achievements of Individuals with Developmental Disabilities".

12. 2017

    Beloved founder Shirley Roland passed away. A beautiful, festive 2-day memorial celebration was held at the Center, attended by hundreds of clients, family members, staff, Board Members and guests — a fitting tribute to a very special person and the life work to which she was dedicated.

13. 2017

    The Board of Directors granted "The Roland Center Board Member Emeritus" status and "SGVTC Residential Facility Board Member Emeritus" status to founder Ganzer Roland.

14. 2023

    The Roland Center Board of Directors selected internationally recognized expert on services for individuals with IDD, Dr. Thomas Buckley, as its Executive Director.

15. 2023

    The SGVTC Residential Facility Board of Directors selected highly experienced IDD executive C. Thomas Cook as its Executive Director.

16. 2023

    Corporation officially changes its corporate name to The Roland Center.

17. 2024

    The Roland Center was accredited by CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) as the first organization in America for Dementia capable care for individuals with IDD.

18. 2026

    Mr. Cook leaves the position and the boards name Dr. Thomas Buckley and Mr. Edward Dunn as Co-CEOs of both facilities.