Shorkey Center- Where Children Are Our Business

Richard L. Shorkey Center began as a private school in April 1944 by Emilia Lockhart and James K. Lightner. The mission was to provide "hand and arm work and locomotion for crippled and spastic children."

In September 1944, Lockhart and Lightner purchased a house on Broadway to include residential placement and an academic program. The agency was renamed The James K. Lightner School.

In September 1946, the agency was incorporated under the name Beaumont Crippled and Spastic Children's Foundation and in1949, became a Community Chest recipient. Margaret Snyder, a physical therapist and registered nurse, became Executive Director in 1951 and remained director for thirty-four years. The occupational therapy and physical therapy departments were added at this time. In 1954 another name change occurred and the agency became The Cerebral Palsy Foundation. Throughout the 1950's and 1960's the agency served approximately ten residents and provided therapy for an average of forty to fifty outpatients annually.

In 1964, the City of Beaumont gave the property known as Central Park to the foundation. The gift was restricted in that the property could never be used for "private or commercial purposes" … and all future use must be "for charitable purposes in the medical field." A major fundraising campaign raised over $300,000 to build the present structure at 855 South Eighth Street. In 1991, the agency's name was changed to the CP Rehabilitation Center.

In the summer of 2001, another name change occurred to rename the agency after retired medical director, Dr. R. L. Shorkey. This resulted in Richard L. Shorkey Education and Rehabilitation Center of Southeast Texas.

In 2003, the center's name was shortened to the "Shorkey Center". In 2005, the expansion of programs including speech therapy, a school for children with autism and other related disorders began. K.I.D.S. (Kids in Day School) is a TEA Non-Public School and operates from 8:30 am-2:30 pm Monday through Friday. In 2010 KIDS II, a day school for children with Down Syndrome opened and operates Monday through Friday from 8:30 am-3:30 pm.

Between 2009 and 2012 the facility has been updated to accomodate children ages 3 months to 21 years of age. The Center currently houses numerous beautiful murals creating a modern and fresh appearance.

In December 2011, the Executive Director Kay DeCuir brought it to the attention of the Board oF Directors that as a United Way Agency the Center needs to constantly focus on any gaps in the community. It was televised and shared in the local media that many local schools and Pre-K programs would be closing. The Director brought it to the attention of the Shorkey Board Members and it was a unanimous vote that the Center would be changing its Mission to focus on all children while continuing to focus on the specialized education and rehabiliation of children with special needs.

On March 1, 2012 the Center will open its very first Pre-K Program for ages 3-5 years. The program will offer a comprehensive curriculum focused on the TEKS and will use the READ, PLAY, LEARN Curriculum. The Center will also work with CLI and Texas Reading First Resources. The Center has been accepted to participate in the CLI (Children's Learning Institute) Texas READ First Project. The project will be implemented early August 2012. The Center has implemented a state of the art laptop lab, music room, and new library. All students will be provided a regular day schedule including a Fine Arts Curriculum an education provided by certified and highly qualified teachers.