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Charles River Center
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Our Mission & History

Home > About Us > Our Mission & History

Our Mission

To empower and support people with developmental disabilities by offering high-quality, individualized opportunities that foster independence and community inclusion.

A group of men and women enjoying a hay ride.

Our Vision

To be recognized as the leading provider of innovative, person-centered supports and services for those with developmental disabilities.

Guiding Principles

  • We empower the people we serve and their families to make informed, collaborative choices and decisions through education and training.
  • We advocate to promote the full participation of those we support in their communities and uphold their civil rights and dignity.
  • Staff members are competent, caring, honest, committed and well-trained, and are valued for their contribution.
  • Communication, collaboration and mutual respect between individuals, families, staff and service providers are priorities, because these values encourage those we serve to achieve personal goals and gain access to community resources.
  • We are contributing members of society, seeking out opportunities to give back to our community through socially responsible actions and volunteerism.
  • We strive to continuously evaluate and improve our organization and the services we provide.

Guiding Values

Community

Caring & Respect

Collaboration

Advocacy

Volunteerism

Health & Wellness

Our History

How far we’ve come.

In the 1950s, there weren’t many options for people with developmental disabilities. The only publicly supported residential facilities were underfunded and isolated state institutions. Few people with disabilities were given the opportunity of a public education, and families who kept their children out of the institutions had little or no support.

So Tom and Anne Sell, the parents of a daughter with Down syndrome, convened a meeting in their home in Needham to talk with other parents about creating something better. In 1956, they started a preschool, held at Carter Memorial Methodist Church, for twelve children at the cost of $1 a month.

Wouldn’t they be amazed. Today, the Charles River Center staffs 28 group homes, helps individuals find jobs in their communities, cares for the most medically complex, and provides a host of diverse programs and activities for all ages. With great support from families and the communities we serve, we now offer services and programs to over 950 children and adults from the Boston MetroWest area.

Much progress has been made in the developmental disability world in the past sixty years, with the emphasis now on integration and inclusion. The Charles River Center’s history is just one small piece of the story, but it is remarkable to think of all the lives that have been touched and enhanced by this transformation in services. We look forward to seeing what the next sixty years will bring.

  • 1956

     

    Fifteen parents of children with developmental disabilities meet to discuss plans for a preschool. Twelve children enroll in the preschool class-cost is $1 per month.

  • 1960’s

     

    Colonel Earl Mountain appointed first Executive Director

  • 1960’s

     

    Sheltered workshop opens

    The Opportunity Shoppe opens

    Daily Living Program is created for children who are not able to attend public school because of severe disabilities

  • 1970’s

     

    Paul Merritt appointed Executive Director

  • 1970’s

     

    Mountain House is built, one of the first group homes in Massachusetts

    Stott House is built, the first barrier-free residence of its kind in the nation

  • 1980’s

     

    Dwight School purchased from Needham for a new vocational training center

    First supported employment sites open-McDonald’s and North Hill

    The Charles River Workshop now employs 125 people

  • 1990’s

     

    The Special Olympics are named after Ellie Bloom, a longtime staff member and volunteer

    Senior Choices program opens for the elderly

  • 1990’s

     

    Opportunities and Visions program is created

    First Building a Dream Gala is held

    After School Program established

  • 2000’s

     

    John Grugan appointed Executive Director

  • 2000’s

     

    Paul D. Merritt Center, a state-of-the-art facility opens

    Day Habilitation program opens

    Agency renamed the Charles River Center to express the inclusion of autism services

  • 2010’s

     

    Anne-Marie Bajwa appointed President and CEO

  • 2010’s

     

    Wings For Autism Launches at Logan International

    Natick location opens at Strathmore Road

    Horticulture program begins

    Respite home opens in Sharon, MA

    Agency becomes licensed to provide Adult Family Care

  • 2020’s

     

    Agency becomes licensed to provide services for individuals with Acquired Brain Injury

    Residential Services oversees 30 community living programs

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Charles River Center
59 East Militia Heights Dr.
Needham, MA 02492

781-972-1000
info@charlesrivercenter.org

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