Our History

Better Community Living is a not-for-profit agency dedicated to providing person-centered services to adults and children with autism and developmental disabilities as they strive for greater independence in their community. This mean that we are committed to working with individuals and their families to accommodate their choices - based on the individual’s capabilities with regard to living arrangements, employment, recreation, learning and community involvement.

Two years before Better Community Living opened its doors in 1988, founding Executive Director Thomas C. Riley already had a vision for the kind of agency he wanted to operate and was putting those ideas into action. Mr. Riley had been working for the largest provider of services in the State of Massachusetts. From the outset, he knew what his goals were for this new entity which included providing a larger voice for individuals and their families in the design of the service they would receive. “I always wanted to keep our service area geographically compact - mainly Greater New Bedford. I wanted to keep it compact so that we could provide high quality supports. I also thought that by identifying with one area it would help us to get people more involved in the community,” Mr. Riley said.

The basis of his plan was to give families a larger voice in the decision-making process concerning their loved ones. To be a not-for-profit agency, thereby allowing greater flexibility in goal-setting based on service needs rather than revenue projections. To provide people with choices based on their individual needs and wants. To promote an environment that respects and observes cultural diversity. To deal with behavioral issues – not through punishment – but exercising positive social responses to people’s behaviors, by making changes in individual’s environment which may be affecting behavior, and by generally treating people with respect and dignity. To provide “homes” for individuals, not just places to live.

In 1988, Mr. Riley was able to begin making the vision a reality when Better Community Living was granted its first contract with the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Disabilities or DDS to operate a home for four persons. The agency had eight employees that first year. Over twenty years later, Better Community Living has 17 homes in Greater New Bedford supporting over one hundred persons and employs over 200 people. Its programs provide a variety of living, employment, education, habilitation, recreation and family support services. Each of these program areas places emphasis on integration within the community.

Better Community Living’s operating budget is $6.5 million, with DDS as the main funding source. The agency holds fundraisers to pay for services not reimbursed by the state. These funds enhance the live of the people we serve and provide for supports that go beyond the essential services provided by government funding. Much of the fundraising funds are used to secure and maintain the homes owned by the agency and in which people live.

Better Community Living’s continued growth during the last decade has allowed it to serve more people while continuing to exemplify the fundamental ideals upon which it was based. “We take a team approach to decision-making and actively seek the input of the individuals we serve and their families. All families are invited to be involved in hiring direct care staff,” said Mr. Riley. He noted that BCL works as a team comprised of the consumer, family, staff and administrators. This team tries to find appropriate opportunities for those they serve. At times, it may be an ongoing process of trying different arrangements to determine what supports best suits someone.

Mr. Riley takes pride in the fact that the largest number of consumers living together in one home is four. “They’re not residential programs. Not households. They are homes,” he said. The majority of the homes are made up of one or two persons. This is what maintains the quality of life for a person. “We also are active in helping people engage in the community in positive, social roles such as friendships and other forms of community involvement, whether that happens as workers, volunteers or churchgoers.”

We at Better Community Living, Inc. start with the premise that each individual has their unique needs, as well as strengths and personality. The people we serve require and receive a wide range of high quality supports which are provided directly by Better Community Living, Inc. and by use of other community-based services. In addition the agency is committed to observing the cultural diversity of the individuals it serves.

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