People Services, Inc.

A brief history in time:

It all began in early 1974 when a group of parents decided to develop a community service for their adult sonsand daughters. In November of 1974 the Lake County Council for Retarded Children opened the Clear Lake Activities Center (CLAC) in Lakeport. They gathered in the site that is now known as the Elks Club. The original volunteer staff of twelve assured everyone's access to the activity center by using their own vehicles for helping everybody get there. Mr. Richard Burnes was the first Executive Director and Ilene Bruch Dumont was the the very first volunteer.
By 1975 the young organization boasted it's first 12-passenger van. By then Paul MacCready had become the new Executive Director and Ms. Dumont become the director of CLAC and transportation. Three years later (1978) the Lake County Council for Retarded Children had become Clear lake Association for Developmental Services (CLADS). That same year CLADS began providing respite services under the direction of Ilene Dumont. CLADS also began it's first semi-independent living program for four people. Moving into 1979 and 1980 continued growth made it clear new service options needed to be considered and developed. Paid work became part of the service vernacular. The early days of work were spent providing janitorial services for other non-profits at minimum wage.

By 1981 the growth of services had reached the point that the parent organization CLADS realized they no longer had the resources to provide the level and variety needed by the consumers of Lake County. With the support and mentorship of Paul MacCready, Ilene Dumont formed a non-profit organization that is known today as People Services, Inc.

1982 brought about Ilene Dumont's first successful grant. With the the help of an $88,000 grant People Services opened the doors of its new vocational facility Konocti Industries. By then the Clear Lake Activity Center had grown to 37 consumers and 12 of those had moved over to the new work services program (Konocti Industries). Struggling to prove its worth to its consumers and the community no job was turned away. Early work crews helped to glean walnuts and pears from Lake County orchards. They made novelty products from donated scrap materials. Konocti Industries and it's workers truly believed anything was possible! In 1984, Konocti Industries produced and distributed it's own health food bar (The No Junk Hunk) before anyone new what a health food bar was! Being ahead of the times, Konocti Industries ultimately had to find other ways of generating income and work.

Continued growth at the activity center brought about a change in address and a new name for the Clear Lake Activity Center. The new day program was now known as the Konocti Day Training Center and moved to a site just north of Konocti Industries. Keeping pace with the changes both the transportation and respite services continued to grow as well.

By the late 1980's and early 1990's Konocti Industries focus became grounds maintenance, janitorial, and woodworking. The shop produced gazebos, sheds and redwood furniture of the highest quality.

At the same time Konocti Industries grew in numbers and strength, Konocti Day Training Center began experiencing growing pains of its own. By 1990 Konocti Day Training Center had grown to the point that it could now open a satellite site in the city of Clearlake. Never missing an opportunity to create a new "Konocti", both day programs became know as Konocti Instructional Services/Lakeport. and Konocti Instructional Services/Clearlake. Finally, people living in Clearlake could work and learn in their own neighborhoods!

1989-90 also brought about the birth of more services. People Services could now provide Independent Living services. Also due another successful grant written by Ilene Dumont, PSI could now provide consumer focused recreational transportation services in the form of Konocti Express. The biggest disappointment during this growth period was the loss of respite services through PSI. 1993 also brought about a temporary setback in the closing of the Clearlake day program site. A victim of decreased clientele and funding. The good news was there was work for any consumer who chose to work and an array of services for those who were making other choices! By 1993 every consumer who was choosing to work with Konocti Industries had found work in the community through work crews and supported employment. The "workshop" closed its doors because it no longer had workers "on site".

Two years (1995) later the Clearlake day program re-opened it's doors. Consumers were once again receiving services on both sides of the lake. By then both KIS/Lakeport. and KIS/Clearlake moved to their present sites. KIS/Lakeport will always owe a special debt of gratitude to Mike and Linda Gosset who made the 11th Street site in Lakeport. possible. 1995 also ushered the re-opening of the Konocti Industries woodshop. Many of the consumer/workers missed their "old friends" and requested that we open the old KI doors again.

Being an incredible year of opportunity, 1995 also gave way to the opening of the People Services thrift store. Appropriately named, As Good As If New (A.G.A.I.N.) and Marketplace Art.

People Services, Inc. currently provides services and supports for approximately 160 client/consumers. The first year budget of $125,000 has grown to over $2.7 million. People Services has over 60 employees and over 60 client workers. Growing from the original two services proudly offered in 1974, PSI now provides twelve different services and support to People with Disabilities.

It has been a dream come true for many, a vision that became a reality, and a mission to continue to strive for excellence in service for the many people that rely on us! We have made a difference and we plan to dedicate the future to even more and better services within our communities in Lake County.