January 2018, Houston, TX— The Center announces that the Board of Governors has
appointed Charles C. Canton as Chief Executive Officer effective January 8, 2018.
Canton was previously Vice President of Operations for Goodwill Industries of Houston from
2002 through 2017 overseeing 65 stores and 48 donation locations. During his tenure, he
was responsible for growing the organization into a nationally recognized system of retail
operations through targeted store openings, employee management training, and viable
employment partnership opportunities for those with disabilities. “Charles Canton is
bringing a level of executive and operational expertise to our organization that will help
propel us into the next level of service for adults with disabilities,” says Richard Rosenberg,
President of the Board of Governors.
One of the few organizations that comprehensively serves adults with intellectual and
developmental disabilities (I/DD) in Houston, The Center—on both its W. Dallas campus in
Houston and the Willow River Farms location 50 miles west of Houston in Brookshire, Texas—
focuses upon providing employment training, day programs, and residential services for adults
with I/DD. Hard hit by Hurricane Harvey, the organization recently re-opened its specialized
dental clinic that prioritizes the dental needs of those with disabilities and established a
Supported Employment program that will help this community to fine-tune both their hard and
soft skills in preparation for the workforce. “There is so much promise in the I/DD community that
has yet to be discovered. Through a very focused approach, I will use my organizational, human
capital, and operational experience to ensure that our clients have an opportunity to live their
best lives through the opportunities that we create,” says Charles Canton.
Known for its Gingersnaps program that sells treats year round and its caning program that
teaches clients how to repair intricately woven chairs, The Center attracts visitors from
throughout the nation and world and has a committed volunteer corp. The 68-year old
organization’s W. Dallas campus was recently put on the market for sale with the hopes of
moving to a new location in the near future that will help to expand programs and services.