The first community residential facility was opened in 1973 by the Licking County Council for Retarded Citizens. Mrs. Jane Marsh was the program director for the homes, as well as the Council’s executive director. Eight men lived in the home at 400 Hudson Avenue, Newark. The designs for the needed renovations were donated by Glenn Abel. Parents and their children were offered an option to institutional placement. Residents of the group home were learning to care for themselves and to be members of the community.