About: History

1947                 

Clifford and Adele Bledsoe open the doors of Mission Road Foundation and School in September, which began by serving the Bledsoe’s son and two other children with three staff members.

1954                   

May 23, Mission Road Foundation was chartered by the State of Texas as a non-profit rehabilitation center for exceptional children (with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities). It was licensed by the State Department of Public Welfare. 

1962                   

The 15th Anniversary of Mission Road Foundation, which had grown to serve 68 children with a staff of 33. The original two acre tract had grown to 22 acres with ten buildings, in addition to the original Votaw-James Homestead.

1970                   

Enrollment listed at 110, with 24 acres. Brochure stated Mission Road was a United Fund Agency.

1973                   

The Bledsoes retired from active management of the center, which was then managed by an Executive Director, Wallace D. Nielson, and professional staff under the direction of a 20-member Board of Directors.  At this time, the Bledsoes deeded their interest in the grounds, buildings and equipment to the Foundation, thus assuring continued operation of the center.  The Bledsoes continued to live in their home on the campus. It was reported that the campus had grown to 24 acres with 18 structures; in addition to the original Homestead, swimming pool, eight dormitories, classrooms, a gymnasium, chapel and workshop. The stated mission was “to furnish proper and adequate custodial care for the mentally retarded who cannot be otherwise provided for and to offer education and training for those who may have capabilities for return to the community.”

1975                   

The Votaw-James Homestead, Mission Road’s Administration Building, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

1976                   

First Presbyterian Church of San Antonio began their sponsorship of Mission Road Foundation.

1978

Mission Road Foundation name was changed to Mission Road Development Center, MRDC.

1979                   

In June, Mrs. Clifford Bledsoe (Adele) passed away.

1980                   

Opened the campus home Bledsoe, the first ICF-MR (Intermediate Care Facility-Mental Retardation) in San Antonio.

1981                   

Opened the community home Lee Hall, an ICF-MR home.

1982                   

Successfully completed a $3 million capital campaign.

1983-1985         

Completed Leon D. Glasscock Medical Center, Stumberg Vocational Center, Kronksoky Cottage for children. And finished the historical restoration of the Votaw-James Homestead building on the campus.  The Votaw-James Homestead received the San Antonio Conservation Society award.

1986                   

Opened Independence Square Apartments next to the Mission Road campus; apartments provide supervised, semi-independent living for adults.

1987                   

MRDC led the establishment of Respite Care of San Antonio to provide relief care for persons with developmental disabilities.

1990                   

Completed central laundry facility and a new training kitchen in the Work Activity Center on campus.

1991                   

Opened Mockingbird, an adult community home.

1992                   

Opened Kopplow, an adult ICF-MR home in the community.

1993                   

Opened Mabee, an adult ICF-MR duplex, to relocate the campus Bledsoe residents to the community.

1994                   

Successfully completed $3 Million capital campaign.

1995                   

Opened Pryor & Coy, the first off-campus transitional home for children.

1996                   

Opened a licensed Day Activity and Health Services program for persons with developmental disabilities. Completed the Murray Manor Apartments. MRDC became a licensed Home and Community-Based Services (HCS) provider.

1997                   

Mission Road’s 50th Anniversary. Opened four new campus cottages.

1998                   

Opened Covenant, an adult ICF-MR home in the community, to replace the Lee Hall facility.

1999                   

Opened the Education and Training Center on campus; and opened Vailcrest, MRDC’s first HCS home.

2000                   

MRDC established Mission Road Ministries as the umbrella organization to MRDC and the apartments.

2001                   

MRM completed a $1.2 million capital campaign to construct three new homes for children and to expand its Endowment Fund. In July of 2001, Unicorn Centers, Inc. merges with the Mission Road Ministries family of agencies.

2002                   

MRDC became a Consolidated Waiver Program provider, a licensed Child Placing Agency. And opened the new Bledsoe Cottage for children on campus.

2003                   

MRDC initiated its Foster Care Program. Opened Larkspur and Sandpiper (two childrens community homes). Converted Pryor & Coy to HCS adult homes. Opened the Meadow Brook Apartments.

2004             

A new home for Unicorn Centers, Inc. was purchased at 4630 Hamilton Wolfe Road. The new 28,000 square-foot Unicorn Centers is more than triple the size of the previous facility on West Avenue and is able to serve approximately 200 more customers.

2007             

Mission Road Ministries celebrates 60 years of serving children and adults with mental retardation. Sixty years ago, the Bledsoes began serving a few children with disabilities.  Since it’s beginning, Mission Road has grown to serve more than 500 persons with mental retardation each day through the organization’s various programs and services. Mission Road introduced a new logo which reflects their calling to walk hand-in-hand with their clients along their road to independence.