The Winnifred Stewart Association has been enhancing the quality of life for people with developmental disabilities since 1953.  Over the course of their adult life, our clients and their families benefit from customized programs designed to meet the diverse and changing needs of people with developmental disabilities.

The Winnifred Stewart Association was founded by a very determined woman who strongly believed that individuals with developmental disabilities had more to offer to society than society was prepared to offer to them - a revolutionary thought at that time.  Along with a small group of parents, Mrs. Winnifred Mary Stewart started the Edmonton Association for the Mentally Handicapped and the Winnifred Stewart School, which was the first of its kind in Canada. At its peak, the school served over 450 students, until 1982 when children with disabilities were integrated into the regular school system.

We have come a long way from our early days as a school, and continue to build on more than 50 years of service and our innovative legacy of working with people with developmental disabilities.  More than 230 people are currently involved in the Winnifred Stewart Association's residential, employment and recreation and leisure support programs.  Plans for the future include the further expansion and development of programs to support new and changing client goals, as well as the development of the Winnifred Stewart Community Centre.

Winnifred Stewart Association Board of Directors

The Winnifred Stewart Foundation is responsible for all fund raising activities to support the programs and services of the Winnifred Stewart Association. The Foundation undertakes annual and ongoing campaigns to raise funds for equipment, program expansion and budget shortfalls.