Many in our community are born with developmental disabilities
such as mental retardation, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, and
autism; others are born to parents with these conditions.
Each of these individuals has the ability to function in,
be a part of, and contribute to society. Pearl Buck Center
recognizes and nurtures the abilities of each individual,
rather than focusing on their disabilities. This benefits
the individuals with disabilities, their children and the
larger community we share.
Lisl
Waechter - Founder | Board
of Directors
Our History
1953 Pearl Buck School founded
1959 Pearl Buck School constructed
1968 Pearl Buck Production Services founded
1972 Pearl Buck Production Services building constructed
1976 Families With Special Needs Program founded
1988 Personal and Social Development Program established
1989 Community job placement became major focus
1991 Pearl Buck School closed
1996 Families With Special Needs Preschool expands to year-round
program
1999 Families With Special Needs Infant Program established
2001 Elisabeth (Lisl) Waechter, founder of Pearl Buck Center
passes away
2003 LEAP (Life Enhancing Activities Program) started
Lisl Waechter – Founder
Elisabeth
“Lisl” Schloss was born in Germany on October
11, 1911. She married Heinrich “Heinz” Waechter
in 1935. As a student at the University of Munich, Elisabeth
“Lisl” Waechter earned her degree in early childhood
education studying special education and working in a research
institute. She was allowed to open her first school in Berlin
for developmentally disabled Jewish children, before the
Nazi regime forced her and her husband, Heinz, to flee to
Sweden in 1938. Once in the States, Lisl was appalled by
the lack of programs for children and adults with mental
retardation and other developmental disabilities –
programs that had been so common in pre-war Germany. She
soon changed that – first in Boston, where she founded
a school for children with developmental disabilities called
The Playbox -- and later, in Oregon.
In 1950, Lisl and Heinz moved to Eugene. Within months,
Lisl had started a small class for children with mental
retardation in her home. In 1952, she founded county and
statewide chapters of the Association for Retarded Citizens
(ARC). Soon, she enlisted broad community support to begin
a private school for all children with developmental disabilities.
The dream became a reality in April 1953, with the dedication
of the Pearl Buck School. The name of the school was chosen
in honor of the Pulitzer and Nobel Prize winning author
Pearl S. Buck, with her permission and endorsement.
In the 1960s, Lisl was dismayed by the lack of programs
or services for young people after they graduated from Pearl
Buck School, so she began a work center and eventually a
vocational training program that created work opportunities
for these individuals. Pearl Buck Production Services and
Community Employment Programs allow these individuals to
become more productive, tax-paying citizens of our community.
Lisl served as Executive Director of Pearl Buck School,
which later became Pearl Buck Center Incorporated, for a
total of 38 years. She remained actively involved in the
affairs of the organization she created, serving on the
Board of Directors and as Executive Director Emerita until
2000, when illness prevented her participation. Lisl was
awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from Pearl Buck Center
at the organization’s 45th celebration in October 1998.
Lisl once said, “Everyone has a right to be productive.
And we all have the responsibility to leave the world better
than we found it.”
Elisabeth “Lisl” Waechter passed away on Tuesday,
April 24, 2001.
Board of Directors
|
Ron Crasilneck
President
Retired Businessman
Eugene, Oregon
Frosty Cummings
Treasurer
Business Owner, Jedi Services
Eugene, Oregon
Kelly Beckley
Owner, Beckley Law Firm
Eugene, Oregon
Leslie Benz
Manager, Springfield, Country Club
Springfield, Oregon
Gordon Bettles
Steward, U of O Many Nations Longhouse
Eugene, Oregon
Gary Bradford
Retired from Vocational Rehabilitation
Eugene, Oregon
|
Ruth Harris
Vice-President
Retired Businesswoman
Eugene, Oregon
Patsy Watts
Secretary
Retired Motel Owner
Eugene, Oregon
Marie Baker
Community Volunteer
Eugene, Oregon
Sharon Hadley
Business Owner, Quality Chain
Walterville, Oregon
Shirley Newell
Parent of PBC Client and Community Volunteer
Springfield, Oregon
Jeanne Savage
CFO, Forrest Paint Co.
Eugene, Oregon
Gary Wildish
Community Volunteer
Eugene, Oregon
|
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