“Before there was a worldwide web, or cell phones, before wireless headphones or CD players, there was the birth of Community Connections’ services. From the very start, we believed in inclusion, independence, and the sheer joy of having friends. No sheltered work for us. No more transportation on yellow school buses. No supporting harsh behavioral therapies. We strive to support each person we serve to blossom into their potential, to have meaningful relationships and grow healthy and happily to senior living.” ~ Donna Sabecky, Founder and former CEO of Community Connections
Community Connections was founded in 1985, after an accident left Donna in a wheelchair for many months. During her recovery, she discovered a dire lack of services available for people with disabilities. For the last 40 years, the staff and community has worked hard to realize Donna’s goal to provide quality, person-centered services for adults with Intellectual Developmental Disabilities (IDD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Community Connections has grown and now provides programming at eight locations across Southeastern MA, including the new Fall River Community Based Day Supports program which has enjoyed resounding success over the past year. The agency serves over 800 people with a staff of over 320. The mission is to provide optimal independence for people with disabilities. Community Connections embraces this mission with kindness, passion, and a sense of joy. A fierce commitment to these goals has guided the agency for 40 years and will continue to illuminate its path to the future.
In 2019, Community Connections became an Arc of Massachusetts affiliate, further
strengthening advocacy efforts that improve the lives of people with disabilities, their
families, and staff.
Community Connections deploys a person-centered approach that empowers participants to direct their own lives. This approach relies upon respect for the people being served, in addition to stewarding the effective use of resources to achieve the organization’s goals. The agency has grown programming that now includes day habilitation, life skills, community-based day supports, employment services, supported living, a social recreational program and transportation. Community Connections has earned the highest accreditation from CARF, consistently demonstrating that the agency achieves the highest level of quality care for the people they serve. The agency’s
comprehensive services promote genuine inclusion for people with disabilities, strengthening communities for all.
On February 21, participants, families, and staff will celebrate the 40th anniversary
with parties at each program. Recently appointed President and CEO Katie Driscoll shared her vision for the future of Community Connections, “I am incredibly grateful to be joining this remarkable organization during such a milestone year. I look forward to building upon the visionary leadership that has come before me, continuing our mission with unwavering dedication to inclusion, respect, and heart. The future holds great promise, and I am excited to carry this legacy forward as we create even more opportunities for growth and empowerment. Critical to our vision of the future is continuing our growth as community connectors. By increasing our emphasis on advocacy, we will safeguard the rights of the people we serve.
About The Arc of Massachusetts
thearcofmass.org/
Since 1955, The Arc of Massachusetts has sought to enhance the lives of people with
disabilities through advocacy. This occurs on multiple levels, from local to national, and is
always centered around an emphasis on social inclusion and self-determination. The Arc
uses its resources to support legislation and legislators that are allies to people with
disabilities.
About CARF
carf.org/
Founded in 1966, CARF International is an independent, nonprofit organization that
promotes the quality, value, and outcomes of services through a rigorous consultative
accreditation process. CARF accredits a wide range of human services providers in areas
including aging services, behavioral health, medical rehabilitation, and more.