History

Working to develop the lives of people with disabilities—
Lakeside Curative Services

Founder and first executive director of Curative Workshop of Racine, Katherine “Katie” Batten served on the board of directors until 1989. She is shown here in 1965 with Meg Gleave, the organization’s first vocational director

Katie's realization of helping people with disabilities help themselves has provided over 50 years of service to the local community's citizens and businesses.

YESTERDAY

• Established in 1950, Lakeside Curative Services (formerly Curative Workshop of Racine) is a non- profit vocational rehabilitation center.  Its founders, Katherine Batten and the Junior League of Racine, developed the center to provide occupational and physical therapy to Racine residents. Within ten years the facility grew to include vocational rehabilitation services for the community.  Curative was the first organization in Racine to offer vocational programming, thereby matching the need for rehabilitation services with the labor needs of area businesses.

TODAY

• Today, the organization’s mission continues to support its provision of vocational rehabilitation services and opportunities to citizens with disabilities.  While in a work environment, Lakeside Curative tests and develops competitive skills for individuals who wish to sustain employment despite their disabilities.  An assortment of vocational programs along with janitorial and subcontract work is offered to provide an array of experiences which are tailored to meet individual needs.

TOMMOROW

• With competitive employment their goal, participants move through a series of programs which equip them for success.  Work experience is provided at the Lakeside Curative production facility, at a janitorial training site, or at other subcontract sites.  As a result, Lakeside Curative is continually searching for new and challenging subcontract work for participants to perform under the careful supervision of rehabilitation trainers and production staff.