About Us

WCI - Work, Community, Independence is a private non-profit agency providing homes, employment and day supports to people with a wide range of intellectual and developmental disabilities. "To foster the greatest possible degree of independence and competence for individuals with developmental disabilities" has been WCI's goal for three decades. WCI encourages Individuals "…to live, work, be a part of the community and achieve their optimal lifestyle." WCI provides flexible options to people it supports as each Individuals' needs are different.

History

WCI was founded in Waltham, Massachusetts in 1974 as the Waltham Committee for Community Residences, Inc. with a mission to provide care and services for people with developmental disabilities. WCI’s first administrative office was on the third floor of the Christ Episcopal Church on Main Street in Waltham. Its first community home, with eight Individuals, was in a large Victorian home in Waltham. Those Individuals now live in their own apartments with much less support.

In 1980, WCI changed its name to Waltham Committee, Inc. In 1986, WCI officially opened its first home for individuals with sensory disabilities (Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, Deaf/Blind) and, in 1988, formed its Deaf Supports Division, hiring its first Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing staff.

In 1990, WCI purchased two properties in Waltham, specifically for people who were Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deaf Blind.

By 1992, WCI formed its Employment/Day Division, and initiated an immersion worksite with Deaf individuals and staff in 1994. Later that year, WCI also opened the Absolute Necessities Gift Shop on Lexington Street in Waltham.

The next year, the WCI Board of Directors placed individuals with disabilities on its Board, and WCI began its WCI Self-Advocacy Group.

A founding member of the Resource Consortium with 11 other agencies, WCI has advocated for decades to place people living with disabilities in community homes. The Rolland Nursing Home suit addressed WCI’s concern as it aimed to reverse the decision that placed individuals from state facilities into nursing homes rather than community homes. The lawsuit was finally settled in 2000 in favor of WCI’s perspectives.

In 2000, WCI changed its name to WCI – Work, Community Independence. We applied through the city of Waltham to do business through that name.

In 2001, WCI opened its Community Based Day Supports Program for individuals with physical, medical and sensory disabilities, and by 2002, WCI created four Residential Divisions:

• 24 Hour
• Deaf
• Individual Supports
• Social Supports

WCI also established its Employment/Day Division to include:

 

• Competitive and Supportive Employment
• Community Based Day Supports
(Please see our additional Employment pages on Social Skills Building, Life Skills/Day Hab Program and Deaf Employment Supports
• Life Skills Day Habilitation Supports

By 2004, WCI's Employment Division supported 60 people in four Employment and Day Support Programs, including Competitive and Supportive Employment, enclave work, volunteering, community activities and its Community Based Day Supports Program. WCI also supported 140 people in single-family homes, apartments and condominiums.

In 2007, the Collaborative Art Initiative Program got off the ground. Their paintings were showcased at the Watertown Savings Bank in Waltham and their business was spotlighted on Waltham Cable Access. In 2008, it held its first Art Exhibition at the TCAN in Natick and began selling its artwork.

In 2008, WCI transformed its Community-Based Day Supports Program into its current Life Skills Day Habilitation Program.

In 2009, WCI received its first CARF International Accreditation and Mass Health Certification Approval. Social Skill Building, the Art Initiative and Deaf Employment expanded to its space at 45 Rumford Avenue, 2nd Floor.

Today, WCI continues to support Individuals with disabilities through its various programs.