History Koinonia / About / History An Idea That Began at Home Our mission is to partner with people who have developmental disabilities and other complex conditions, resulting in the highest possible quality of life through integrated, whole-person care. Koinonia is an idea that began at home. In the early 1970s when choices about where people with developmental disabilities could live and thrive were either few or dismal, a group of parents and other concerned citizens gathered around a kitchen table and decided there had to be a better way. Founded in 1974, Koinonia is the leading non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization in Northeast Ohio providing residential, day program, and career services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). This year, we have refined our mission to ensure that we address the whole person, integrating care and supports in ways that support the unique needs and preferences of each person we serve. Our goal is to provide integrated care that addresses the whole individual, including intellectual and developmental disability, mental health, behavioral health, and healthcare conditions, many of which are inexorably linked in the population we serve. Koinonia Historical Timeline Previous 1974 MARCH 1, 2021 Sr. Mary Charles Szczecinski of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order founded Koinonia and served as the first director. Under her guidance, Sr. Mary Charles opened Leans home in Garfield Heights, which was donated through the generosity... Read More 1980’s MARCH 3, 2021 In the 1980's, Koinonia established a supported living program and opened five additional residential homes. The agency's efforts were recognized in a 1983 Plain Dealer Article titled "Group homes fight ignorance, hostility," which focused on our home The Way located in... Read More 1990’s MARCH 4, 2021 In the 1990's, Diane Beastrom became Executive Director of Koinonia. Koinonia also opened two additional residential homes and continued to expand the number of people served in the supported living program. Additionally, the agency moved to the concept of staff... Read More Next 123456 Koinonia 6161 Oak Tree Blvd., Suite 400 Independence, OH 44131 216-588-8777 Info@KoinoniaHomes.org Koinonia Enterprises 1200 Valley Belt Drive Brooklyn Heights, Ohio 44131 Phone 216-741-6659 Fax 216-741-6838 Resources Board of Directors Login Privacy Policy Koinonia’s Emergency Preparedness Informational Brochure Koinonia Welcome Book (for new admissions) Contact Us © 2021 Koinonia Assembled: Kleidon