Organization: CHARLES RIVER ASSOCIATION FOR RETARDED
Mission: TO EMPOWER AND SUPPORT PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES BY OFFERING HIGH-QUALITY, INDIVIDUALIZED OPPORTUNITIES THAT FOSTER INDEPENDENCE AND COMMUNITY INCLUSION. WE PROVIDE DAY, RESIDENTIAL AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES. WE FOCUS ON DEVELOPING AN INDIVIDUAL'S INDEPENDENCE, POSITIVE SELF-IMAGE AND COMMUNITY INTEGRATION BY OFFERING A VARIETY OF VOCATIONAL, SOCIAL, THERAPEUTIC AND RECREATIONAL OPTIONS.
Activities: DAY SERVICES - THE DAY SERVICES CONSIST OF EMPLOYMENT SERVICES AND THERAPEUTIC DAY SERVICES. OUR EMPLOYMENT SERVICES ENCOURAGE INDIVIDUALS TO EXPLORE CAREER INTERESTS AND DEVELOP JOB SKILLS. ASSISTED BY JOB COACHES, MANY PARTICIPANTS ARE PLACED INDIVIDUALLY OR AS A MEMBER OF A CREW IN JOBS WITHIN A VARIETY OF COMMUNITY BUSINESSES. JOB TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT ARE AT THE FOREFRONT BUT INDIVIDUALS ALSO VOLUNTEER IN THE COMMUNITY, EXERCISE AT THE YMCA, PARTICIPATE IN OUR HORTICULTURAL PROGRAM,TAKE COMPUTER AND COOKING CLASSES AND TAKE PART IN OTHER MEANINGFUL ACTIVITIES. OUR THERAPEUTIC DAY SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE TO ADULTS WITH COMPLEX NEEDS; THESE PROGRAMS OFFER PHYSICAL, OCCUPATIONAL, SPEECH AND MUSIC THERAPIES, WITH FULL-TIME NURSING SUPERVISION. PARTICIPANTS FOCUS ON MAXIMIZING DAILY LIVING SKILLS, VOLUNTEERISM AND ENGAGING ACTIVITIES SUCH AS COOKING, COMPUTER USE, MUSIC, ARTS AND CRAFTS AND FITNESS.
RESIDENTIAL SERVICES - THE CHARLES RIVER CENTER PROVIDES HOUSING TO ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. WE HAVE 22 RESIDENCES IN 8 DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES. ASSISTANCE VARIES FROM INTENSIVE STAFFING FOR SOME RESIDENCES TO INTERMITTENT ASSISTANCE FOR INDIVIDUALS LIVING IN THEIR OWN APARTMENTS. INDIVIDUALS ARE ASSISTED WITH MEAL PREPARATION, PERSONAL CARE AND HYGIENE AND SOCIAL SKILL DEVELOPMENT. ALL INDIVIDUALS ARE ENCOURAGED TO DEVELOP FRIENDSHIPS IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS AND TO PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY EVENTS.
FAMILY SUPPORT - THIS DIVISION OFFERS A BROAD RANGE OF RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS, ADVOCACY SERVICES, SEMINARS AND A MULTITUDE OF RESOURCES TO PARTICIPATING FAMILIES. FROM AFTER SCHOOL AND VACATION PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN TO EXTENDED DAY RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR ADULTS TO THE ELLIE BLOOM OLYMPICS FOR ALL. FAMILY SUPPORT EMPOWERS FAMILIES WITH INFORMATION, HELPS THEM NETWORK WITH COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND PROVIDES SUPPORT AND RELIEF FROM THE CONSTANT CARE REQUIRED BY A CHILD OR ADULT WITH A DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY.
NTEE category: Human Services
Secondary category: Housing & Shelter