History of Bollinger Enterprises, Inc.

Bollinger Enterprises, Inc., (BEi) – originally Warren ARC Enterprises, Inc. – was founded in 1972 by Annabel and Clifford Bollinger (pictured at left) as a pilot project of the Warren-Forest Counties Association for Retarded Citizens.

Before its founding, individuals with disabilities had very limited opportunities for developing their skills and becoming part of the community. The Bollingers’ vision was to provide meaningful employment and vocational rehabilitation services to all people with disabilities that would focus on their unique circumstances, skills and capabilities.

What started as a small, single-program operation in a storefront is now a multi-building complex of nearly 25,000 square feet that hosts a variety of community-based programs ranging from employment to community living.

In August 2017, the Barber National Institute, a provider based in Erie, PA, and Bollinger Enterprises announced an affiliation that is designed to expand job training and placement initiatives that are being mandated by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.

The affiliation, which is expected to be completed by Fall 2018, is intended to meet the goals of:

• Mitigating rising operating expenses to maximize the resources available to support the charitable mission of each organization and to better serve existing consumers.
• More readily meeting the increasing regulatory requirements at the local, state and federal levels.
• Reducing future infrastructure costs while at the same time building key resources that can support and enhance the missions of both organizations.
• Enhancing risk management capabilities.
• Formalizing and strengthening current relationships and partnerships.
• Enhancing the capitalization of both organizations.

The Bollinger legacy of “putting the needs of the individual first” lives on today as the guiding principle in the development and delivery of our services.

Photo: John Barber, Bridget Barber, Suzie Haupin (daughter of Cliff and Annabel) and Maureen Barber