The Kootenay Society for Community Living (KSCL) was started in the 1950s by a small group of parents in Castlegar who had a strong desire to develop community resources for their children with special needs. They opened the Silver Birch School and, as a result, KSCL was formed and registered as a non-profit organization under the Societies Act of British Columbia.

As the first children who attended that school became adults there came a need for additional services. That same group of parents opened the Program Centre, offering support for adults as well. When the large B.C. institutions (Glendale, Woodlands, Tranquille and Endecott Centre) were closed down, the Society purchased residences and began supporting people in homes.

Today, the Society provides a wide variety of support programs and services for children, youth and adults with developmental disabilities and their families in and around the West Kootenay.