Untitled Document

The History of WATCH, Inc.

In 1970, The Calloway County Arc purchased a building at 702 Main Street. This was to offer a variety of mental health services and a preschool daycare program to serve children with special needs.

Peggy Williams was the first director of what would become WATCH, Inc. Peggy's son, Jamie, was born and diagnosed with Down syndrome in December of 1970. She and her husband were both 23 years old, and knew nothing about Down syndrome.

Peggy began attending the meetings of the Calloway County Arc and visited the preschool class that took place in the kitchen of the mental health building on Main Street. She began to volunteer as a teacher's aide and drove the first van on a route that covered all corners of Calloway County picking up students and taking them home each afternoon.

In 1973, the board of directors purchased a house at 704 Main St. to better accommodate the needs of the preschool program. In 1975, after the passage of Public Law 94-142, the board learned that individuals with disabilities no longer received services after reaching the age of 21. Some remained at home after leaving public schools, while others faced institutionalization. A program for adults was then organized and met
in the kitchen of the building at 702 Main.

In 1976, to avoid duplication of services, Murray State University assumed the responsibility of educating the preschool children, and the adult program moved into the building at 704 Main St. Peggy Williams served as the Assistant Director and became the Executive Director in 1982.

By the spring of 1983, this facility had reached its capacity and both buildings had deteriorated to the point of safety concerns. After efforts failed to sell the properties, mental health services and the adult program separated and moved to temporary facilities, and formed a new board of directors. The adult program relocated to a house at the corner of 12th and Main streets while working on the removal of the old buildings. Howard Brandon owned the house and did not charge rent during its use. The program did not miss a single day during this transition. At that time, 14 adults aged 21 and over participated in the program. Fundraising began with grant writing and a $20,000 loan from Fred Phillips, one of the parents.

On Oct. 27, 1983, crews razed the structures, and Bill Adams Construction started work on a 3,200 square foot facility at 702 Main that would adequately serve the needs of adults with disabilities in Murray and Calloway County. To establish an identity, the board voted in December 1983 to call the facility W.A.T.C.H., or Work Activities Training Center for the Handicapped, and opened on May 2, 1984.

Eventually, the board voted to change the name to WATCH, Inc. The facility held its dedication on Sunday, October 28, 1984. The Western Kentucky Regional MH/MR Board, Inc. provided funds for the building's construction, along with donations from local firms, clubs, churches, individuals in the community, and a grant award from the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels. Special speakers included: Bill Draper of the Kentucky Department of Mental Health and MH/MR Services, Billie Downing, former assistant professor at Murray State University, and retired assistant superintendent of Kentucky Department of Education, Bureau for Exceptional Children. Mrs. Downing was instrumental in helping to get the program started for exceptional children and adults in Murray and Calloway County started. Other speakers included Dr. Ben Humphreys, interim assistant dean of the College of Education at Murray State University and longtime member of the local board, and Don Fox, executive director of the Western Kentucky Regional MH Board. Molly Booth, chair of the MH/MR Board, and Peggy Williams, executive director of W.A.T.C.H. welcomed guests. Danny Whittaker, a senior at Murray State University and soloist, presented special music, accompanied by pianist Tiffany Satterfield. The Rev. Gerald Owen, minister of the Sugar Creek Baptist Church, and John Dale, minister of the Seventh and Poplar Church of Christ, led prayers. The open house included a memorial to the late Paul Mansfield, a member of the local board at the time of his death. Following the program, the new facility held an open house, and featured a display and sale of crafts made by the participants of W.A.T.C.H. More than 200 individuals attended the dedication and open house.

The program at W.A.T.C.H. focused on Pre-Vocational skills, work contracts at the center, Supported Employment in the community, Independent Living skills, Self-Help Personal Care, Motor and Communication skills, and Community skills. Speech Pathologists from the Calloway County Hospital also offered services to those who needed them. The center was open from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. weekdays.

After the new center opened at 702 Main Street, W.A.T.C.H. began to collect aluminum cans donated by local businesses and individuals in the community. In addition to being an avenue for raising money for the center through recycling, it also provided participants the opportunity to crush cans and earn a monthly paycheck.

In 1985, W.A.T.C.H. became engaged in an in-house contract with the local Briggs & Stratton plant, which allowed participants in the program to work on small part assemblies and earn a monthly paycheck based on piece rate. An enclave with a Job Coach at Briggs & Stratton was established, and participants worked Monday-Friday from 8:30-2:30 each day at an hourly rate. W.A.T.C.H. also began a Supported Employment Program that enabled individuals to work in jobs in the community earning an hourly paycheck. W.A.T.CH. provided a Job Coach at no cost to the employer to train employees and ensure they completed the job satisfactorily. At this time, 28 individuals received services. Later, W.A.T.C.H. would have additional enclaves at Hawiian Tropics, Kenlake Foods and Mattel.

In 1987, The Supported Employment Program at W.A.T.C.H. received national recognition from the National Organization on Disability (NOD). In a nationwide competition, W.A.T.C.H. was one of 13 winners and received a cash award of $1,000.00 for expanding the employment opportunities of adults with severe disabilities. Former Presidential Press Secretary, James Brady, Chairman of the awards program, presented the award to W.A.T.C.H. at a ceremony on Capitol Hill on July 1, 1987.

On September 30, 1988, John and Rowena Emerson chartered the Special Civitan Club with 25 members. JF Burney, Regional Director from Clarksville, Tennessee, installed the officers. The club met twice a month and performed just as the senior club ran. The club received numerous awards and patches.

Within two and one-half years, the new facility was at capacity due to new families moving into the community. The board made plans for the construction of a 3,220 square foot workshop and a building expansion fund was established. The new workshop that included a loading dock was completed through grants from Civitan International, The Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels, Knights of Columbus and community support, and was and in use by January 1989. Contract work at that time included Briggs & Stratton, Kenlake Foods, Murray City Schools, Murray Cablevision, Tennessee Valley Authority and Murray Fabrics.

In 1990, a $1,621.00 Kentucky Colonels grant allowed for the construction of a covered walkway between the original 702 building and the new workshop. Another $3,820.00 Kentucky Colonels grant allowed for the purchase of a treadmill, elliptical, exercise bikes and professional weight equipment in 1991.

In 1997, a pallet jack and dock board were among items purchased with funds from a $4,440.00 Kentucky Colonels grant that allowed semi-trucks to back into the loading dock in the workshop to allow for easier loading and unloading of materials for various work contracts.

On July 31, 1998, W.A.T.C.H., Inc. changed its name to WATCH, Inc. to reflect current, more acceptable terminology.
The number of WATCH staff also gradually increased over the years, and there was a need for additional office space. In 1999, a 1,200 sq. ft. office building and 40-foot wheelchair ramp were completed. The new addition included an office for the Executive Director to hold board meetings, as well as offices for a bookkeeper and two job coaches. There was also enough room for a staff room, and a bathroom. The office building connected to the north end of the workshop. Revenue from the supported employment program was the primary funding for the project.

WATCH extended the main driveway through to Olive Street in 2001 to alleviate some of the traffic congestion entering and exiting Main Street. In addition, construction of a large concrete box culvert/bridge across a ditch in order to access the Calloway County Health Department's parking lot was completed. WATCH deeded a strip of land adjoining the Health Department parking lot in exchange for permanent easement. Grants secured in 2002 for other projects behind the existing parking in a previously wooded area included the construction of a 20'x36' pavilion to hold six picnic tables, as well as the construction of four swing sets, one with a platform for wheelchairs. A Memory Garden with fountain was also constructed.

In 2002, the original retaining wall that supported the front building on Main Street had deteriorated badly and needed replacing. The Knights of Columbus helped with the cost of replacing the retaining wall from their Tootsie Roll Drive. Terrace rock replaced the deteriorating railroad ties. In addition, WATCH developed a new website at www.murraywatch.org.

In 2003, WATCH received a $4,000.00 grant from the Kentucky Colonels to install automatic door openers to several entrances to accommodate individuals with limited mobility. WATCH also rented a 2,500 sq. ft. building next door to the WATCH office building, in order to provide extra space for in-house contract work. They also added a walkway to connect the rented building to the WATCH building.

In 2004, WATCH received a $15,785 Kentucky Colonels grant that allowed the center to purchase a box truck, forklift, and a counting scale for contract work. WATCH also received notification that Briggs & Stratton would be automating the job at the plant, and would affect 22 individuals employed there through WATCH. In order to keep these individuals employed, WATCH began bidding on additional contracts.

In 2005, WATCH purchased property from the Mason Ross Estate located at 105 N. 7th Street. WATCH had secured new Briggs & Stratton contracts, but because Briggs & Stratton did not have room for assembly work at the plant, there was a need for additional space. Grants were written for extensive remodeling of the 5,000 sq. ft. building which came to be known as the WATCH Annex. WATCH also purchased the lot across the street at 106 N. 7th Street, and that property would later become a parking lot for the annex.

A sidewalk constructed in 2006 between the annex and the workshop allowed individuals and contract material to easier move between the two buildings, without going through the office addition. A 15'x50' wood deck was also built to connect the Main Street Buildings to the North 7th Street Annex.

With increased contract work, it became necessary to purchase a truck that would be high enough to back into dock doors at the Briggs & Stratton and Pella plants, and allow a forklift access to load and unload materials. An $18,500 grant from the Kentucky Colonels allowed for the purchase of a 2000 International 4700 truck to replace the box truck purchased in 2004.

In January of 2008, WATCH began contracting with Pella Corporation, which provided the opportunity to participate in a variety of in house job opportunities. This included bagging several different screw and parts bags, latch assemblies and lock assemblies. Participants who choose to participate are paid piece rate, and receive a monthly paycheck.

In May 2012, community donations and grants helped complete an 8,000 square foot gymnasium named the Peggy B. Williams Activity and Wellness Center, honoring the WATCH director who served in that position since 1982, on the 107 N. Seventh St. property. The gym included a large kitchen, upstairs storage, and a room for exercise equipment. Debbie & John McConnachie donated a scoreboard and WATCH Warriors sign.

Another addition was a deck to connect the new gym to the existing deck, between the annex and office buildings and a patio outside the west entrance of the gym. The patio included bricks engraved with the names of businesses and individuals who had made donations to go toward construction costs.

WATCH was the recipient of an $182,000.00 Community Development Block Grant (CBDG), with WATCH matching $32,000.00. This award allowed for renovations completed in 2016 that included the addition of a parking lot on South 7th Street, new heat and air units, a renovated restroom in the original 702 Main Street building that included a large walk in tile shower that accommodates non-ambulatory participants, new carpeting, and updates to the original kitchen and bathrooms.

In December of 2016, Peggy Williams retired after 42 years as Executive Director. Regina Slaughter assumed the position of Executive Director, and Patrice Klobe became the Executive Financial Director after both previously serving in different capacities at WATCH since 1986. Peggy remained on staff as Executive Advisor, continuing to advise and write grants for the center.

In 2018, WATCH purchased the vacant lot at 109 N. Seventh St., after the home that was located there had burned. This allowed for construction of a private driveway connecting 7th Street to the back parking lot of the 702 Main Street building.

In 2019, WATCH began providing Extended Services, which are additional services, included in the Medicaid waivers. Personal Assistance (PA) services enable a person to accomplish tasks that they would normally do for themselves if they did not have a disability. PA services are available only to those who live in their own residence or in their family's residence. Community Living Supports (CLS) increases independence and involvement in the community for Michelle P. waiver individuals by providing training in socialization, leisure choices, day living activities, medication training and routine household tasks and maintenance. Adult Foster Care (AFC) services offer a family home provider setting for no more than three people living together who require up to 24 hours of support each day. Respite provides short-term support to relieve any individual caring for the person. This support is available for individuals who do not receive residential services and live in their own home or their family's home while being unable to administer self-care independently.

In June 2019, WATCH secured funds to construct a 24'x36' storage building with three overhead doors to store materials needed for contract work for various businesses, primarily Pella Corporation. Additionally, they constructed a driveway on the 109 N. 7th Street property, connecting North 7th Street to the Main Street driveway to provide safer access for the forklift when transporting contract material.

On June 19, 2020, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear requested that Adult Day Training centers in Kentucky close effective March 20, at 5:00 p.m. This was due to the rapid spread of the Coronavirus, known to cause Covid-19. The center remained closed until June 29, 2020. Before closing enrollment had reached 73. No participants were lost to Covid, but enrollment drastically declined due to various factors that occurred during the pandemic. The center suffered a heavy financial blow, but was able to recover by securing two Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans in 2020 and 2021 that totaled $245,702.37, and funds from the Healthcare Provider Relief Fund in 2020 and 2021 totaling $94,299.61. These awards enabled the center to continue paying staff during the closure, and allowed them to provide services via zoom meetings with participants. In 2022, the center received $100,000.00 in assistance from the Team Kentucky Nonprofit Fund.

A deck was added on the west side of the building (outside of the workshop) in June of 2023 after the two trees that were planted in that area were damaged by storms, and had to be removed. WATCH purchased the materials, and Hope in Murray donated their time and talent for ground preparation and construction.

In December 2020, Briggs & Stratton ended their contract with WATCH when the Murray operations moved to Poplar Bluff, Missouri. WATCH procured additional contracts with Pella to fill the void. WATCH also contracts with various community businesses when they request to utilize WATCH employees. This work has included jobs such as collating, sorting, rework, assembly, and packaging. Employers have the option of in-house work, allowing participants to be paid piece rate, or work on-site, assuring participants are earning at least minimum wage. WATCH provides a Job Coach at no charge to the employer when requested.

In 2024 WATCH Board of Directors chair, Ava Watkins passed away. Ava served on the WATCH board of directors from 1984-1993 and was chair from 1993-2024.

Sharon Hart became the third Chair of the Board of Directors for WATCH, Inc. in 2024, after serving on the board for 11 years. WATCH employs an Executive Director and additional staff members, including an Executive Financial Director, Program Manager, Floor Supervisor, Activities Director, and Direct Support Professionals (DSPs). After her retirement, the first director, Peggy Williams, transitioned to an Executive Advisor position and remains an active and involved member of the organization.