{"id":25,"date":"2026-07-08T14:04:21","date_gmt":"2026-07-08T18:04:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/web_external.stonebelt.org\/stonebelt\/index.php\/our-story\/"},"modified":"2026-08-13T15:25:32","modified_gmt":"2026-08-13T19:25:32","slug":"our-story","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/web_external.stonebelt.org\/stonebelt\/index.php\/our-story\/","title":{"rendered":"Our Story"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n
\n

The Story of
Stone Belt<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Learn about Stone Belt’s founding and development, the principles of service that guide our work, and our impact on people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the communities of South-Central Indiana.

With more than five decades of experience, Stone Belt’s history informs our present-day programming and priorities for the future. <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n
<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\"\"<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

Meeting The Moment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
When Carolyn Abbitt was sent home from school in 1956 because teachers didn\u2019t feel they could help her, her parents tried to make the best of it. That\u2019s what parents expected in that era. No requirements existed that allowed children with disabilities to receive special education.

A spark of hope ignited when they learned Dr. Roscoe Smith and his wife, along with others, were working to create a school for their son, Bob, and other children with disabilities. The Abbitts joined and became leaders in the cause. Soon, they formed Stone Belt, and nine children had a place to learn and grow. On March 10, 1959, Stone Belt was established.<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Through The Years<\/h2>\n\n\n\n