Issue link: http://southshoremagazine.uberflip.com/i/987785
8 By Erica Ford, photography by Suzanne Malloy Road to Responsibility (RTR) is a full-service nonprofit that provides homes, jobs, therapeutic day supports and a community for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). This year marks 30 years of making lives better for the individuals RTR serves and their families. RTR believes that everyone deserves a full and dignified life, and it provides support so that people with disabilities can take their place as productive members of their community. RTR also gives peace of mind to families and caregivers who have a genuine interest in how their loved ones will fare when they are no longer in their care. The organization started modestly in 1988 as a single social program in Marshfield. Now, RTR is one of the most prominent provider organizations in the state. It offers a full spectrum of residential, employment, community based day supports and day habilitation services to adults with I/DD throughout the South Shore. The Residential Service division consists of different programs designed to meet the needs of diverse, often highly specialized, residents. This system includes 48 residential group homes, several cooperative living apartments and a rapidly growing Shared Living program which matches individuals to caregivers with whom they can live. At the Open Roads day habilitation programs, the focus is on developing and maintaining skills needed to live as independently as possible. Participants in the four Open Roads sites are often older adults with significant physical health challenges in addition to their developmental disabilities, or younger people who need specialized supports. At Open Roads, individuals have access to a number of professional services including speech, occupational, physical and behavioral therapies. Nationally, 71% of adults with intellectual disabilities are unemployed. "They simply don't get the opportunity," says Director of Development and Communications, Serenity Belo. At RTR, most people begin their career-building journey in one of their six Opportunities for Positive Transitional Supports (OPTS) programs. There, participants have the opportunity to engage in community-based experiences while working on "soft skills" that are often critical to employment success. Having a job is not only a source of pride and respect, it is also a key element in building an integrated life in the community. As President/CEO Chris White often states, "Everyone is able to work doing something. Our job is to find the right fit for each person which accentuates their abilities, instead of their weaknesses." In its Group Employment program, small groups of individuals work in local businesses under the supervision of an RTR Employment Specialist. Every day, RTR sends over 100 individuals to work in local businesses through their numerous group employment sites. Also, many people every year enter the individual employment program where they are placed in an independent job. They receive highly individualized support from a Career Specialist during the job search and for 3-6 months after starting the job. RTR is proud of the fact that this fantastic program has an 88% success rate! RTR also has opportunities for individuals and community engagement through three social enterprises and sports. The Express Yourself Community Connection teaches community art workshops and provides space to sell artwork. The We Love to Fish program takes individuals on fresh-water boat trips where the individuals can spend a few hours fishing or enjoying the outdoors. Managed by an RTR employee and staffed by RTR individuals, the Ocean Village Book Store sells donated and recycled books to the community. Finally, RTR participates in the Special Olympics, with team sports such as basketball, fishing, swimming, bowling and softball. These programs wouldn't be possible without RTR's incredible team of staff, supporters, volunteers—and the South Shore community as a whole. Last year, two high capacity wheelchair- Road to Responsibility Celebrates of Making Lives Better years