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Our Mission
Statement
The Shorkey
Center exists to provide services for the individual with
special needs. These services include effective physical,
occupational, and speech rehabilitation; direct education
services including therapy for children with autism and other
related disorders; after-school care; and parent assistance
and support.
Our History
The 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 The Richard L. Shorkey Education and
Rehabilitation Center of Southeast Texas.
In 2003, the
center's name was shortened to the Shorkey Center. In 2005,
Dr. Karen Newton assumed the leadership role as Executive
Director and began the expansion of programs including speech
therapy, autism and other related disorders.
The newly renovated facility currently houses numerous
beautiful murals creating a modern and fresh appearance.
 
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