This July marked Systems Unlimited’s 55th anniversary of providing quality services to people living with disabilities and mental health needs throughout Eastern Iowa. To celebrate such a momentous milestone, we will be having a community picnic on September 18 at Centennial Park in North Liberty from 4pm-7pm. There will be karaoke, face painting, llamas, a food truck for individual purchases, and yard games. Systems memorabilia will be available for viewing. Everyone is invited to the festivities.
“We are deeply grateful to everyone who’s been part of our journey,” stated Jolene Sorenson, Director of Development at Systems. “This 
is truly a large milestone that really reflects the values of the communities that we are a part of. Without them, we wouldn’t be here today.”
When Systems began in 1971, life looked very different for people with disabilities. Institutional living was the norm, children didn’t have the right to a free and fair education, and accessibility in public spaces was often nonexistent. People with disabilities were rarely included in everyday community life.
Systems began when a group of determined parents envisioned something better — a world where their children could live in a neighborhood, not an institution. They imagined homes where kids could grow up surrounded by community, supported by live-in staff called “parents” who guided their daily lives. They believed their children deserved the chance to live as independently as possible, make friends, find jobs, and stay close to family.
With just one vote from the Johnson County Board of Supervisors, that dream became a reality — and the first Systems’ home with six children opened its doors.
Since then, a lot has changed. Homes no longer have live-in “parents”; instead, they’re supported by supervisors and staff. What was once a six-person home would now be considered large — most homes today have three or four adults living together. What was once a bold idea — employment in the community — is now something actively encouraged and celebrated. While the structure has evolved over the years, the heart of what we do remains the same.
To learn more about Systems history, go here.
