Alternatives is an agency aimed at improving the lives of persons with psychiatric or developmental disabilities. To accomplish our mission, we offer a wide range of superb residential and vocational services. These are designed to provide the skills and support each person needs to lead a satisfying and successful life in the setting of his or choice with maximum use of community networks.

Our residential programs include Group Living, Shared Living and Supported Living. Group residences provide a safe, nurturing home environment for four to six people while shared living allows an individual to be part of a host family. Our third residential alternative, Supported Living, is for those who can live on their own if given necessary support and training.

Through our employment services based at career centers throughout the area, we develop career alternatives geared towards a person’s skills, job readiness and preferences. Additionally, we encourage those who are between jobs or work part time to participate in the wide variety of volunteer positions available.

In our Day Services programs, we seek to develop life skills and to offer the therapeutic supports needed for highest daily functioning.

As an agency that strives to enhance community connections for persons with disabilities, we believe it is our responsibility to be a bridge between those who need our services and the community at large. We recognize that strengthening community connections requires creating social ties, fostering frequent interaction between people from all walks of life and developing a sense of mutual obligation toward one another. Through the afore-mentioned programs based in 55 sites in Central Massachusetts, we are working to meet this challenge by providing real homes, real jobs and real relationships for people in need.

Alternatives’ main office is located at:

Alternatives

50 Douglas Road, Whitinsville, MA 01588

(508) 234-6232

History

In its over 35 years of existence, Alternatives has grown from a three-program agency serving just 26 people with 15 employees to a 55-program agency with a $39 million budget and a staff of more than 600 dedicated professionals serving about 2000 people.

From our founding in Uxbridge, we have evolved into a major provider of services throughout the Blackstone Valley as well as in Greater Worcester, Greater Milford, Fitchburg/Leominster, and Wrentham/Plainville areas. We now offer an unparalleled slate of services to hundreds of people with developmental and/or psychiatric disabilities.

Many of our staff members have been with us since our early years, facing the challenges of growth with an unwavering commitment to the people we serve. We are proud of our record of integrating people into the community by giving them the skills and support needed to achieve success. With our help, they attain real jobs, real homes and real relationships in the communities in which they live, work and play.

Our rapid expansion proves to us the need for Alternatives and its services and underscores the success of our vision of redefining community. Despite our size, we have retained the core values of compassion and community involvement on which we were founded.

Category: Accounting