S. Olin Garrison, the founder of The Training School at Vineland conceived of the Training School concept back in 1887, at his home in Millville, New Jersey. An ordained minister, Mr. Garrison pondered the needs and potential that persons with special needs had.

With these thoughts in mind, he opened his Millville home to be a haven of opportunity and care for persons with disabilities. Soon the requests he received for admissions exceeded the capacity of his house. Then, with a generous pledge from Vineland philanthropist B.D. Maxham of 40 acres of land and an attached mansion, the origins of The Training School at Vineland began. On March 18, 1888, S.Olin Garrison and his family relocated to Vineland along with the seven special needs children he was providing services to. The Training School at Vineland and it's mission of providing growth, development and opportunity to persons with disabilities began on this date.

Over the years, great innovations into the care and understanding of disabilities came into play here in Vineland. Research into the causes, capacities, effective teaching methods and education of people with disabilities took place. Testing and measurement systems were developed here. Today, many of these systems continue to be put to use by professionals in the field.

112 years later the ideas and aspirations that established The Training School at Vineland continue to drive the mission we focus on today.

While many things have changed over these 100 plus years at The Training School, our commitment to caring and to growth and development of persons with disabilities has not.

Over 350 persons are served annually by our organization. Residential services are no longer provided on our campus but are instead offered within the local communities. Day training and educational programs still exist on our main campus but some of these, too, now occur as well off campus, dispersed within the local municipalities of Cumberland County.

The Training School at Vineland continues to seek new and innovative approaches to meet the needs and desires that persons with disabilities have. As we approach the new millennium, The Training School at Vineland is confident in our ability to remain a driving force in the care of persons with developmental disabilities.