Creating a Community of Caring and Growth

Mission: To advance independence and opportunity for children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families.

The James L. Maher Center embarked on its mission in 1953, when 13 families came together for the common purpose of developing community alternatives for people with disabilities.

The Center was a pioneer in the establishment of community residential services for individuals with developmental disabilities at a time when the only alternatives were nursing homes, state institutions or neglect of the special needs of these individuals.

The Maher Center founders had modest hopes—to provide one or two group homes and a day program for their sons and daughters. The scope of our activity and support has grown dramatically over the years.

Today the Center annually serves some 300 adults with developmental disabilities, operates 13 group homes and 16 apartments, provides early intervention to more than 150 families and supplies more than 250 rides a week for Maher Center clients and other members of the community.

Yet our purpose remains the same: To support individuals with developmental disabilities by helping them to increase their independence, self-esteem, productivity, integration and participation within their local communities.