Portal History

In the 1950s, there were virtually no options (educational or vocational) for Ozaukee County citizens with disabilities apart from remaining at home with family or being placed into a state-run institution. In April of 1959, a group of concerned parents formed an organization called the Ozaukee County Chapter of the Association for Retarded Children and it was their mission to create reasonable options for their sons and daughters.

On March 10, 1965, this group started a work activity center in the basement of the old Knellsville School, just north of Port Washington, WI. The center began with 10 participants and a single work project. Early in its beginning, the center was named The Portal to symbolize what the parent’s hoped would be a "door way" or portal to a better, more fulfilling future for their sons and daughters. The center quickly outgrew its school building home and after less than a full year in the Knellsville building, they purchased a building in Saukville.

The participant population at The Portal had grown almost 300% by 1968. In addition, the Wisconsin Division of Mental Health suggested that the young organization change its administrative structure so, in April of 1970, the agency changed its name and organizational structure. The Portal Programs, Inc. had evolved and it remained in Saukville until 1974 when once again it outgrew its facility. In less than 10 years of operation, the work center experienced 3 name changes and 4 changes of address. In 1974, The Portal Programs moved to its present location in Grafton, WI, and in 1984, the board of directors changed the agency’s name to Portal Industries, Inc. — the name it retains today.

By the late 1980s, Portal Industries once again struggled with adequate space. A capital campaign titled "Recognize The Ability" was launched and enough money was raised to begin construction of the Betty Lubahn Rehabilitation Center at the site of the existing Grafton facility. Completed in early 1990, the Betty Lubahn Center was dedicated in May of that year. The building was designed to comfortably accommodate adults with disabilities. Over the course of the past 15+ years, the demographics of the agency’s participant population has changed quite significantly. Portal Industries has continued to evolve in order to adequately serve this changing population and do so in a clean, comfortable and safe environment.

Learn More About Portal Industries

• Demographics
• History
• Board of Directors
• Funding Sources
• How to Receive Services

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