We are a diverse group of approximately 200 people with a varying range of individual strengths and challenges.  We are not all alike and wish to be valued for our individual dreams, strengths and goals.  We receive support from staff at WCI to live in and work within the communities we choose in the most independent fashion that we can.  We live in and access the communities of Waltham, Belmont, Watertown, Arlington, Newton and Malden.  In total we live in fifty-four different homes and work within four employment sites and at competitive jobs in the community.

Our staff assist us in a variety of ways to achieve our dreams.  Some of us receive staff support in taking vacations to exotic locations while some of us receive support to find our dream job in the community.  In many ways, however, staff assist us in those smaller things that help us to live as independently as possible on a daily basis.  These supports range from assistance with reading, cooking, shopping and budgeting to hands on assistance with daily personal care.  Some specialized services we might receive focus on handling our feelings and frustrations in a positive way and communicating to our optimal level using American Sign Language.  We participate regularly in selecting our goals and evaluating our progress.

Maintaining relationships with those people in our lives who are important to us is another area of life with which staff provide us with assistance.  They help us to cultivate new friendships and get involved in community activities.  Many of us go to adult education classes, sports activities, cultural events, spiritual services and a variety of other community events.  We choose those events for ourselves with the support from our staff.  Our lives are well-rounded and active and most importantly reflect our individual preferences and desires.

• Sheryll Jones


• Marcia Kavonian


• Robert McDonald

• Jessica Brockman


• Cecelia Norman


• Julia Hurst