In the spring of 1986, a small group of parents of adults with developmental disabilities and interested citizens from the Nanaimo area came together to explore the idea of providing additional services to people with differing abilities.  It was believed that additional programs would provide people with more choices.

As a new era was emerging, with the emphasis on community-based programs as opposed to institutional services, the time was right for another society in the Nanaimo area.  As a result of their combined beliefs and visions, on July 22, 1986 the Nanaimo Association for Community Living (NACL) was formed under the Society Act of British Columbia.

On September 1, 1986, NACL was awarded a contract by the Ministry of Social Services for its first program, the Lakeside Development Centre (later renamed Options Day Program) located on Shenton Road.  Soon after the establishment of Options, the Association acquired a contract for an additional day program that was named Access.  In late 1986, Access and Options were relocated to 3057 Barons Road.

Shortly after the development of the two day programs, and as a result of continued deinstitutionalization of people with a developmental disability in BC, the opportunity arose to establish two new group homes for people who were moving back to Nanaimo from the Glendale Institution in Victoria.  NACL's first home was purchased in 1988, known as Hammond Bay Home, followed by a second home called Jingle Pot Home.

In early 1989, NACL constructed another home to provide service to four additional people.  This was originally known as Metral Drive Home.  In August of 1989, NACL also started the Horizons Day Program to address the individual needs of two people living at home requiring one-on-one assistance in the community.