Our History
Shares was founded in 1976 following the merger of two established programs: the Hegel Industries program in Shelby County and a training program supported by the Arc of Hancock County. When the two organizations came together, they adopted the name “Shares,” which originally served as an acronym for Shelby-Hancock Association Rehabilitation/Educational Services, reflecting their shared mission and the counties they served. In 1984, Rush County’s McGraw Center joined the organization, expanding the Shares family to three counties.
As the organization continued to grow, so did the need for space. Over the years, each of the three Shares locations in Shelbyville, Greenfield, and Rushville moved into larger facilities to accommodate additional programs and a steadily increasing number of participants. Early programs in the Shelby and Hancock county locations also included preschool classrooms; however, both preschools were eventually sold in the late 1990s and early 2000s as the organization refined its service offerings.
In 2003, Shares expanded its operations by purchasing Wellman Automotive Products, which became a for-profit manufacturing company designed to generate revenue in support of Shares’ programs and services. Shares Shredding & Recycling later emerged as another small business owned by the organization, further contributing to and sustaining the mission-driven work Shares continues to provide.
Today, with 75 employees and approximately 260 participants annually, Shares, Inc. continues to evolve and grow. We remain committed to creating meaningful opportunities and inclusive communities for individuals with disabilities, now and into the future.