Adult and Employment Programs
Below is information on a variety of adult and employment programs, please click the green buttons to be connected directly to each organization's website.
Deborah Flaschen
[email protected] 3LPlace is building exciting opportunities and a warm, diverse community for adults with developmental disabilities, across the lifespan. 3LPlace, located near vibrant Davis Square, came about through the efforts of a group of parents seeking more options for their own maturing children. Our year-round program welcomes adults with a mix of developmental disabilities. Together, we are on a journey: • Exploring community and what it means to live in one • Thinking more critically • Expressing creativity • Exploring careers • Supporting job choices and placement • Becoming more aware of body/mind connections and fitness • Practicing the life skills we need to live successfully in our choice of housing, and in the community. We offer a menu of highly individualized day, evening and weekend programming, based on our unique 3LPlace Curriculum. Licensed services through the MA Department of Developmental Services include Community Based Day Supports, Employment Supports and Adult Companion services. We also accept private pay members, and some scholarships are available |
Joel H. Smith, Ph.D.
47 Walnut St., Wellesley, MA 02481 Phone: (781) 237-0272 x11 Fax: (781) 237-5020 [email protected] www.autismservicesassociation.org/ Summary Autism Services Association (ASA) is a private non-profit human service agency which provides vocational, social, and community skills training primarily for persons who have autism, have a developmental disability, or present similar challenges to maximizing their vocational potential and self-sufficiency in the community. ASA was established in 1963 by a group of concerned parents and community leaders to serve the needs of people with disabilities in Central and Eastern Massachusetts. To find out more about our programs and services, please feel free to look up our website and download informational materials from our website at www.autismservicesassociation.org. |
Jake Laverriere
617-778-0522 http://www.bestbuddiesma.org Summary Best Buddies Jobs (BBJ) is a program that matches skilled and qualified individuals with intellectual disabilities with businesses who are searching for enthusiastic and dedicated employees. |
Kristy Hargreaves
Director of Employment and Day Services Charles River Center 989 Central Ave. Needham, MA, 02492 www.charlesrivercenter.org Office Phone 781-972-1088 Fax 781-444-0754 Summary The Charles River Center (formerly Charles River Arc) is a private, nonprofit human service agency in Needham, Massachusetts, providing employment and job training, residential homes, therapeutic day programs, and recreational programs for children and adults with developmental disabilities. Founded by a group of parents of children with special needs in 1956, the mission of Charles River has always been to improve the quality of life by helping each individual with a developmental disability achieve his or her highest possible level of independence so that he or she can fully participate, benefit, and become a contributing member of the community. |
174 Portland Street, Boston, MA 02114
617.720.2233 www.cwsbos.com Summary CWS assists over 800 men and women annually to successfully overcome barriers to employment by providing effective job training, employment search, career coaching and advancement services. We offer innovative classroom learning, internships and hands-on training so that our graduates gain employment soft-skills and professional experience to become successful in today’s competitive job market. CWS staff works to assist individuals to get into the job market, retain those jobs and help them advance. We offer a variety of training programs and internships so that individuals gain employment soft-skills and professional experience. All of CWS’ services have specific eligibility requirements. Interested candidates are encouraged to attend an agency tour to learn more about the program and their requirements. Tours are held year-round, every Wednesday at 1PM. |
Ted Lampe
60-62 Harvard St., Brookline, MA 02445 (617) 734-1577 [email protected] http://www.gatewayarts.org/ Summary Gateway Arts is a magical place filled with colorful crafts, contemplative and whimsical paintings and over 95 talented artists with disabilities learning a vocation while realizing their dreams. This unique, non-profit service includes the Studio Program, The Gateway Crafts Store, and The Gateway Gallery. Gateway Arts is a service of Vinfen Corporation, a nonprofit human services organization that provides a comprehensive array of services to individuals with psychiatric, developmental and behavioral disabilities. Vinfen serves more than 7,000 individuals in eastern Massachusetts and northern Connecticut. |
Disability Resource Network
1430 Main Street Waltham, MA 02451 (781) 693-5023 http://www.jfcsboston.org/ Summary JF&CS programs for people with disabilities are grounded in the belief that all people should live with dignity in the community and enjoy the rights afforded their peers regardless of their differences. Services reflect the values of individual autonomy, community inclusion, and care continuity. Disability Resource Network Provides information and referral for individuals with disabilities and their families. CHAI Works Day Programming Combining volunteer and paid work opportunities, experiential learning, and social enrichment activities, these programs create meaningful and fulfilling opportunities for individuals with disabilities to lead productive and integrated lives in their communities. |
Gillian Brown
508-872-0669 x 2205 [email protected] 1671 Worcester Rd. Suite 100 Framingham, MA 01701 http://www.jri.org Summary JRI Developing Abilities collaborates with individuals who have developmental disabilities, their families, state agencies and advocates to design, develop, and implement community-based, consumer-responsive programs of the highest quality. Our programs offer an array of innovative, personalized service options that focus on discovering and expanding people’s abilities. JRI Developing Abilities offer a variety of residential supports including 24 hour residential group homes, independent supports and shared living. Employment services allow people with a variety of needs and job skills to grow through job training, group employment and competitive employment positions. Our day habilitation services help people improve their daily life through community-based treatment activities and access to specialized therapies and innovative supports. Our Transitional Day Services focus on individuals moving into the adult system. It offers a menu of choices that can be designed to meet the needs of each person. |
Mary Ellen Cameron
789 Clapboardtree Street Westwood, Ma. 781-769-3298 [email protected] www.lifeworksma.org Summary Lifeworks provides education, jobs and homes for persons with developmental disabilities empowering them to lead meaningful lives within the community. Our guiding principles ensure that Lifeworks staff and volunteers strive to create exceptional programming for the people served. Lifeworks currently provides services to over 340 individuals through our Employment, Residential and Individual Support programs. The employment program provides: Job Development and Placement, Job Coaching, training and evaluation. Our newest program, called Life Enhancement is a community-based day program. Lifeworks utilizes local health clubs, provides educational programming, computer education and volunteer opportunities to help enhance people’s day-to-day lives. This program can be utilized on a part time basis as a way to supplement a person’s day when they are not on shift at their competitive job or on a full time basis. |
Mary Moylan, Director of Day Services
[email protected] Tel: 617-732-0274 Fax: 617-254-0208 29 Denby Road Allston, MA 02134 Summary MABWorks (Monday-Friday 8.30am-3pm): funded through DDS, this Community Based Day program offers a broad range of opportunity for individuals to volunteer, earn a bi-weekly paycheck through MAB, seek, obtain and maintain employment in the community, resume building, social and recreational activities, complete person centered vocational and general interest inventories with the staff team, pursue interests on site such as arts & crafts, music and also attend classroom style groups to further develop social skills, money management skills and vocational skills such as how to present yourself at an interview. MABHab (Monday-Friday 8:30am-2:30pm): funded through MassHealth, this Day Habilitation program offers a wide variety of activities onsite and in the community focused on independent skill acquisition. Participants work on individualized goals throughout the day while enjoying a wide variety of engaging activities such as arts & crafts, music, book clubs, exercise groups, health and wellness, and yoga to name a few. Small groups access the community for social, recreational and volunteer opportunities. OT, PT, and Speech therapy is offered on a weekly basis for those requiring therapeutic support. |
Mike Piso
617-212-1506 [email protected] www.outsidethelinesstudio.org Summary Outside the Lines Studio is an arts-based alternative day program and art center, collectively run by artists, for individuals with developmental and physical disabilities. Our mission is to provide a creative, supportive community, where each individual can explore their own unique potential in a way that best suits their interests, talents, and learning styles. In addition to providing daily living and behavioral support, expressive outlets, life-skills development, and community integration, we provide opportunities for participants to gain recognition and income as artists. Outside the Lines Studio is an affiliate of Resources for Human Development, Inc. |
Karen Manning, Director of Family Support
38 Border Street West Newton, MA 02465 617.332.7477 x220 http://www.thepricecenter.org/ Summary The Price Center provides therapeutic and support services to families who are managing a wide spectrum of physical and cognitive disabilities. Our programs facilitate the full participation of disabled individuals in their local communities and promotes the independence, personal growth and dignity of people living with disabilities. It offers Family Support Services including Respite and Adult Companionship. The Price Center’s Employment Services program features Work$mart, a job readiness training, vocational assessment and job placement service designed for people who are able and willing to work at least a part time schedule. An alternative employment option is also available for those who need more structure and supervision which involves paid contract work when available, volunteer opportunities and practice piece work. |
Stella Reis
Director of Day Habilitation Services 781-302-4618 [email protected] http://www.tillinc.org/ Summary Toward Independent Living and Learning provides residential, clinical, family support services and day and vocational programs to meet the needs of individuals of all ages with acquired brain injuries, mental health issues, developmental disabilities, Asperger's Syndrome and autism spectrum disorder, including innovations such as TILL’s Springboard, a unique social club for adults with learning differences, Asperger's Syndrome, and other unspecified mental health needs. |
Madeline Wenzel
29 Winter Street Boston, MA 02108 [email protected] 617-399-3241 www.jvs-boston.org Summary Combined Jewish Philanthropies, the Ruderman Family Foundation and Jewish Vocational Service are working in partnership to provide the Transitions to Work Program. Transitions is an employer based program that focuses on creating new employment opportunities for young adults with a disability. The program provides classroom instruction and skills training to prepare students for work and assists them in obtaining employment upon completion of the program. Transitions to Work serves individuals with a disability between the ages of 18 to 35 who have completed high school, can travel independently and can work up to 20 hours per week. Students will gain hands-on work experience and training that is relevant to real jobs. All classes are run by JVS instructors. |
Maria Joseph
781-626-5106 Summary Developmental Services Division provides a comprehensive array of residential, day and community support services to individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities as well as other conditions such as autism, physical disabilities and visual and/or hearing impairments. These supports are provided through the following models: Day Services: Three different levels of day services are offered to help each individual reach his or her potential through independent living in the community and workplace. The services are as follow: Day Habilitation Services Community Based Day Services Employment and Training Services For more information about Day Services you may contact Maria Joseph at 781-626-5106 |
Aneta Hazen, Division Head of Employment and Day Supports
[email protected] 781-389-6005 Summary The agency supports 68 Individuals in their Employment, Community Based Day and Life Skills Day Habilitation Programs. There are three small Employment Programs, each supporting Individuals with different goals and needs – Community Employment Program, Deaf Employment Program, and Social Skills/Community Based Day Supports. All three programs focus on job skills and job attainment in the community. The agency does not have a sheltered workshop. |
No Website Available at This Time
Jay Hayston, Case Manager Employment Supports Program, Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries 1010 Harrison Avenue Boston, MA 02119 Phone: 617-541-1228, Fax: 617-541-1491 [email protected] Summary The Will to Work Program is an exciting new training opportunity for individuals with disabilities between the ages of 22 and 25. This dynamic program guides candidates as they make the transition from high school to adult life and work. Participants in this program spend part of their week in a structured learning environment where they will acquire and further develop life and pre-vocational skills as well as job readiness. Participants also spend part of their week applying the skills they have learned in one of Goodwill’s integrated on-the-job training programs. Successful candidates should expect to complete the program within one year and transition to full-time supported employment and ultimately to competitive, community-based employment. |
Tracy Cunningham
617-691-1705 [email protected] 25 Beach Street Dorchester, Ma. 02122-2734 Summary "WORK Inc.'s Employment Services Division provides personalized employment services to individuals who need assistance finding their place in the workforce. We have extensive experience assisting individuals with disabilities, youth transitioning from school to work, and others in the margins of the workforce." WORK Inc. also provides federal job opportunities through the AbilityOne program, and residential and day habilitation services for people with disabilities. WORK Inc. is located at 25 Beach Street, Dorchester MA 02122-2734, |
Nick Masterlla [email protected]
http://www.workopportunities.net/Locations/Massachusetts/ Summary Founded in 1982, Work Opportunities Unlimited is a community-based employment service provider specializing in job seekers who experience barriers to employment. The company has grown from one person to a workforce of hundreds that serves thousands of adults and students annually. In addition to private citizens, our company provides services to individuals referred by state-specific school districts, welfare, mental health, developmental disability, vocational rehabilitation and youth services agencies, as well as the U.S. Social Security Administration through the Ticket to Work program. Work Opportunities Unlimited maintains certifications with state developmental service agencies in the areas we provide service. For state-specific information, please click on "Our Locations" in the left navigation menu. |
Lauren Savioli
170 Lexington Rd., Billerica MA 01821 Email: [email protected] Website: www.nashobalearninggroup.org/adult-program Summary Nashoba Learning Group’s (NLG) Adult Day Program opened in March 2013 with the goal of providing young adults with Autism and related disorders with the platform to enjoy a productive and fulfilling life with as much independence as possible. We are approved by MassHealth and DDS to provide both Day Habilitation and Employment Based Services. Three major keys to success for us include our use of research based Applied Behavior Analysis teaching methodology, our customization of teaching procedures, and an organizational model designed to optimize the training, development and retention of high-performing staff. We hope to serve as a model for other adult programs serving individuals with Autism. |
Lauren Pond
[email protected] Elliot House, a service of Riverside Community Care, is a vocational program working with adults with mental health issues in Newton, Needham, and Wellesley communities. We are a rehabilitative community offering opportunities and support in employment, education, and housing. Following the “club house model” of rehabilitation, the program emphasizes work, participation, and choice. Members build confidence and self-esteem by learning the skills necessary to lead productive and satisfying lives. |