"WCI – Work, Community, Independence", is a company that has been highly successful in offering support services to Individuals with developmental disabilities and physical, sensory and mental health needs for over 30 years.  WCI provides supports in both residential and day program settings.  We work towards the goal of creating independent living and work opportunities for a population of people who have mostly moved out of institutional type settings and who have been integrated back into community environments.  WCI is a private non-profit agency that employs over 300 people and is advocates in the field of human rights and developmental disabilities.  WC I strives to improve the quality of the individual’s lives, assisting people to make better choices in all aspects of life and widening their horizons in a positive and creative manner.

The birdhouses displayed in the photographs above were all decorated by a group of 17 individuals with disabilities, who attend one of WCI’s Employment/Day support programs situated in the Waltham area of Massachusetts.  All birdhouses were decorated collectively as part of a number of art projects that are currently scheduled into part of our working day.  Each individual, dependent on their specific abilities sanded down the wooden bird boxes.  They either stained or painted them using acrylic water based paints and glued various types of beads, buttons and stones onto the surfaces to give them a shiny, colorful and fun effect.  The process took several weeks periodically to complete and everybody enjoyed working on them very much.  Other art projects include painting; decoupage, collage, jewelry making and box decorating are among some varied arts and crafts activities.

The birdhouses displayed in the photographs, were entered into the 12th Annual Birdhouse Show in 2005, which is run by the “South Shore Habitat for Humanity Organization” in Massachusetts.  They awarded WCI second place in the category of most unusual materials used in decorating the birdhouses.  We are very proud of this accomplishment and the recognition given and hope to submit entries each year using different styles of decorating materials to show versatility in the work accomplished.

A team of staff facilitates and teaches each Individual to complete their artwork in a friendly and supportive environment.  Our Bedford St day program offers ongoing opportunities for innovative ways to learn new life skills.  They are offered trainings to increase personal development and a large emphasis is put on finding and exploring paid and voluntary work within the community.

If you are interested in finding out more about WCI or are interested in donating any art materials please call Program Director Neil Wyatt on 781-788-4970 or you can place an order by filling out the order form for the birdhouses displayed above.