Like most human service agencies, WCI receives state and federal contracts and grants to run our existing programs.  The reality is that state and federal funds do not meet all our Individuals' unique requirements.  Your tax-deductible donations enable us to enhance existing services and provide new life opportunities, while creating new initiatives to respond to the changing goals of our Individuals and staff.

How can you make a difference in the lives of Individuals with disabilities?  It's as easy as clicking through this website!  We have included detailed information within this website explaining what types of assistance we need.

For example, WCI provides employment and residential supports to 54 Individuals with developmental disabilities who also have a sensory disability (i.e. these Individuals are Deaf, hard-of-hearing, low-vision, blind or Deaf/blind).  WCI's goal is to have staff who are able to use the most up-to-date adaptive technology and language skills to maximize support for Deaf Individuals.  However, adaptive technology devices, such as Blackberry and Wyndtell communicators, and the required service contracts are costly.

For donors who want to designate specifically how WCI uses a gift, consider WCI's new Housing Initiatives Fund.

As part of WCI's planning for the next decade, the Board and senior Managers have set as a priority the creation of affordable homeownership and housing opportunities.  To achieve this goal, WCI has set up the Housing Initiatives Fund.  To initiate the fund, WCI will restrict all net proceeds from the 30th Anniversary "Putting on the Glitz" Gala to the Housing Initiatives Fund.

WCI increasingly encounters difficulty as we seek affordable rental properties (at present count WCI manages over 50 rental residences) and is confluent with the suggested goals and outcomes that the Department of Mental Retardation and other advocates for the disabled are encouraging.

WCI wants to move "outside of the box" and develop living solutions that meet the ever-changing needs of its Individuals, (e.g., to especially address the particular needs of elders with disabilities) and the parallel needs of younger Individuals with disabilities (i.e. persons in their twenties who have other social, life and community-living expectations).  WCI has a thirty-year history of providing housing and other supports that empower Individuals with disabilities to live "in the community" outside of state institutions.  Even with its 30-year experience in finding housing solutions, WCI encounters numerous restrictions as a renting agency.  While many landlords are responsive and responsible when renting to WCI and its Individuals with disabilities, finding safe, affordable, accessible residences, even with Fair Housing laws, is, at best, often difficult.

WCI must find alternative, cost-effective ways to fund housing alternatives for individuals with disabilities.  The reason for this is that many Individuals and family members may choose home ownership rather than renting or other housing options.  Home ownership for all, including persons with disabilities, is now a priority under the President's Freedom Initiative.  In addition, many persons with disabilities will soon move from State facilities into the community, as State institutions continue to close.  With aging parents, families and individuals alike, it is imperative that WCI work with families, advocates and funders to assure that Individuals with disabilties have access and options in community living.  Besides funding, WCI will also seek partnerships with housing specialists, banks, community lendors and others to develop the Housing Initiatives Fund.

WCI welcomes gifts of all sizes and encourages donors to participate at a level that is comfortable for you.  We are happy to work with you in making a gift that is most beneficial to you, your family, and WCI.

For donors interested in legacy giving (i.e. through a bequest or other charitable device), there may be substantial estate and income tax benefits, and in some cases, lifetime annual income.  Legacy-giving may also offer donors the opportunity to make a larger gift than might otherwise be possible.

Please feel free to call our Development Office at 781-899-8220, ext 101 or send an email to nshargreaves@wearewci.org if you have any questions or would like to discuss gift options.

On behalf of all of us at WCI, thank you for your support!