Madison Baptist lay woman Joyce Ridge (left) is pictured with Methodist deaconess Lura Turner, who founded Lura Turner Homes in 1965 (submitted photo).
On Sunday, May 18, Lura Turner Homes will host a gala to celebrate its 60th year of serving adults with special needs in the Metro Phoenix area.
Lura Turner Homes was started in 1965 by Methodist deaconess Lura Turner. What inspired Ms. Turner? The fact that during the “mainstreaming” movement of the 60s, adults with special needs were being released from state institutions with no place to live, no plan, no financial support. Far too many ended up on the streets of downtown Phoenix.
With the help of friends, Lura Turner bought a home in central Phoenix, and opened her doors to the very people she had served as chaplain at the Arizona State Training Center in Coolidge. Thus began the 60-year history of Lura Turner Homes providing residential, social, spiritual and vocational services to men and women with physical and intellectual disabilities, especially those with little to no support.
Madison Baptist lay woman Joyce Ridge served as Lura Turner Homes’ executive director from 1984 to 2003. She assumed the position from Turner who served until 1984. Current executive director Max McQueen has led the Uptown Phoenix agency since 2003. He will emcee the organization’s 60th anniversary event on May 18.
The free public event will be held at 2 p.m. at Faith United Methodist, 8640 N. 19th Ave., home to Lura Turner Homes’ headquarters and Day Training for Adults. The family-friendly gathering will feature a barbecue luncheon and entertainment.
For more details, visit the Lura Turner website at www.luraturnerhomes.org.
