Issue link: http://southshoremagazine.uberflip.com/i/1544989
8 Road to Responsibility (RTR) has been supporting citizens with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), including Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and Acquired Brain Injuries (ABI), since 1988. The organization works to help this underserved population take their rightful place within their communities, empowering them through thoughtful support, critical programming, and access to state-of-the-art technologies that improve daily life. In their mission of "Making Lives Better," RTR serves very diverse, complex needs, across 110 communities along the South Shore and Southeastern Massachusetts with their residential, employment, day habilitation and community-based support services. Like many nonprofits serving this community, RTR faces ever-evolving challenges due to dramatic changes to federal funding policies (and the related pressure on the state budget), the ongoing shortage of workers, and other changes in governmental regulations that often divert resources from critical services. What sets this organization apart from others is their clinical expertise, determination and strong foundational values–what they, and the families of those they serve, refer to as the 'RTR Difference.' RTR's commitment to "Making Lives Better" extends to citizens with even the most complex needs. This commitment fuels their mission, and even with challenges, RTR continues to surpass expectations. In the past year, RTR opened new group homes in Marshfield, Brockton and Taunton, marking the first significant expansion of residential services since the COVID-19 pandemic. "This past year RTR grew significantly!" President and CEO Christopher White excitedly explains. "We opened three new group homes, and we bought a home in Braintree to serve as a replacement home for Residents whose medical needs have changed." There is already a community-based day program operating in Braintree, but this will be the first residential home for the organization in the town and will provide single-floor living for five individuals. These residential homes create a family-like environment, providing added comfort for Members and peace of mind for their loved ones. Each bedroom is designed and customized to meet the needs of the individual, and there is staff on-site around the clock. There are many difficulties and added costs associated with operating these residences. From assistive technology to providing 24/7 care and maintaining a standard staff-to-member ratio, the opening of this Braintree home showcases the organization's dedication to its Members and affirms the importance of the 'RTR Difference.' This expansion also allows RTR to do significant improvements to a couple of their older homes, with the goal of opening a new program in one of the updated locations in the future. Community support for RTR is paramount to the organization's success and continued ability to provide critical services.