Timeline
1987- Founded, space at DPCC, 2 graduates
1990 – Larger space now with 14 stations
1993 - Don Van Haveren dies but Donka lives on
1994 - New east wing at DPCC includes modern Donka Lab
1996 - Donka celebrates 100 graduates
1997 - 10 years of growth & recognized as a model training center & resource on Assistive Technology
1998 - Donka adds staff to build Job Placement program
2000 - New millennium and Donka debuts its web site and first satellite training center in Aurora
2001 - Donka begins a Don Van Haveren Endowment fund with The DuPage Community Foundation
2002 - More than 250 graduates in 15 years of service, Donka celebrates with Anniversary Dinner and first ever Disability Awards Ceremony
2003 - Donka continues its service in the Computer Lab and out in the Community
2004 - A 3 Yr Grant is secured from The Coleman Foundation to begin Mobile Services- increasing Donka’s ability to train more students per year and professionals who work in the field of disability
2005 - Students are being served in 3 counties; DuPage, Kane, and Cook at various sites including high schools and Illinois Training Center in Elgin
2007 - More than 425 students will graduate in 20 years of service; 20% of graduates are employed and a majority of graduates continue to use and develop their computer skills.
