The Association began in 1974 through the efforts of the Hay, Johnson and Rymill Families. In 1976 the association was incorporated and registered as a charitable body. In 1983 the South Australian Health Commission assumed responsibility for part of the association's funding. In the following year they funded renovations to the centre, which was located in the old ETSA building on Flinders Parade.

In 2001, grant funding helped establish new, expanded facilities at the current site on Armstrong Road. This included modern machinery in the wood workshop, a garden centre and larger meeting rooms.

Today The Encounter Community Centre is a based in the Victor Harbor area. For the past 49 years we have been providing services to those living with a disability. Our program runs 5 days a week and provides group activities both within the centre and out in the community. We run two vans that provide transport to those who otherwise would not be able to access these services, catering for people from Goolwa, to Normanville to Aldinga Beach and right across the Fleurieu. Since moving to our current site in 2003 we have not only continued our services for those living with a disability but have also expanded our operations. We are known for our wooden toy factory, where volunteers come together to make high quality, locally crafted wooden toys. We also have a volunteer run community plant nursery and garden. And it doesn't stop there we also offer our community a range of classes such as english as a second language, adult literacy, computing, pottery, and the list goes on. Our mission is to provide a place where our community can come together to create, learn, and grow.  Our close to 100 volunteers find meaning and purpose through their valuable contribution at the Centre to our community, and benefit from the social community environment. We see over 300 people come through our doors and engage with our services weekly.