Carroll Avenue 30th Anniversary

During this year 2012, our Carroll Avenue group home will celebrate its 30th Anniversary.

It was in 1982 that Jim and Mary Maher donated their home on Carroll Avenue for use as a group home for women, including their daughter Mary Ann, who had Down Syndrome and who lived there until her passing in 2004.

The house was built in the mid-1960s, and in 1982 the family built a smaller house on an adjacent lot, and left the larger home to the Maher Center. Mary Ann, who was the youngest of Jim and Mary's six children, continued to live at the home, but was right across the driveway from Mom and Dad.

The home ('JIMARI', as it would come to be known) was first managed by Jim and Mary's son-in-law, Mike Kelly, who at the time was the manager of the Calvert Street group home. After some time, their daughter Alexandra Kelly would become its manager.

The house at Carroll Avenue has been home to many ladies over the span of 30 years. In addition to Mary Ann Maher, the following ladies have resided there but have since passed away: Barbara Nason, Carolyn "Judy" Bykowy, Mary Jo Dunn, Gladys Rogers and Jean Dombrosky. Beverly Miller, Karen Weibust and Linda Leveille started out at Carroll Avenue, but have since moved to other locations within the agency. Currently, seven ladies reside at Carroll Avenue, and they are: Carole Boruch, Paula Ford, Nancy Lenihan, Mary Ryan, Gloria Silvia, Linda Varola and Eleanor Watson.

Carroll Avenue provides the ladies with the support and care they need to live independent and fulfilling lives. This and all of our other residential properties keep the mission of the Maher Center alive. The people who we support are assisted by a dedicated and caring team of professionals.

Jim and Mary, along with a few other families, believed that their children and loved ones could and should have fuller and more productive lives. The Maher Center was born out of their love and insight.

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