Surrey Rehabilitation Society began its operations in 1970 when a group of concerned parents and professionals recognized something was missing in work opportunities for people with special needs.  As a result in 1972 a sheltered workshop was established in Surrey.

In 1977, a Work Activity Project was started in conjunction with the sheltered workshop, offering life skills training, job experience, counseling and recreation. 

In 1978 Surrey Wood Industries was started to provide employment to the Society’s clients.  Also in 1978 the Society purchased premises on 135^th Street where they remained until the services were terminated and the property sold in 2005.

Over the years, the breadth of SRS expanded and adjusted to a changing society.  SRS served a huge range of clients, but the success was always a result of the dedication of the high caliber of staff and board members.

Due to massive changes in both Federal and Provincial funding, SRS could no longer continue to provide service to individuals to overcome employment barriers.  Both staff and board put forth an enormous effort to maintain services by a variety of strategies, but in the end had no other choice but to close the doors of SRS in September 2005.  The original creators of SRS had a vision and it resulted in the successes of many thousands of individuals; a proud accomplishment.

After all expenses had been taken care of, SRS had somewhat in excess of $500,000 in cash.  In keeping with the spirit and vision of SRS a proposal was presented to the Board to place the assets with the Surrey Foundation and establishing the "SRS Vocational Rehabilitation Fund".  The funds will be invested by the Foundation and annual income will be available for distribution to a non-profit agency or agencies to assist individuals with special needs integrate into the workforce.  The capital of the fund will be held in perpetuity by the Surrey Foundation and will provide a lasting legacy to SRS and the work of many staff and board over the years.

Partnership with Surrey Foundation

On September 5, 2006, Rick Pallen and Jim Fleck authorized the establishment of the SRS Vocational Rehabilitation Fund with an initial contribution of $450,000.  Attending the signing ceremony were:

Rick Pallen, Jim Fleck, Leslie Alguire, Lynda Casey, Linda Fleck, Dan Effa (President), Ian MacPherson (Director) and Danielle Callens, Executive Assistant..click for photo