Civitan International is a volunteer civic organization that was started by a group of men in Birmingham, AL in 1917 with a vision for helping others. Since that time the organization has grown to over 40,000 members in 24 countries that include youth and college programs. A primary focus of the organizations service projects are mental retardation and developmental disabilities. After many years of supporting local and regional projects Civitan International decided to focus their efforts on research and the vision for an International Research Center became reality in 1989. The Civitan International Research Center was founded with the pledge of $20 million dollars in support by Civitan International and would be located on the Campus of the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB).

For more information about Civitan International and clubs in your area visit the Civitan International website.