3rd Annual Bike Run
Please join us and ride for a good cause!
19th Annual Golf Tournament
Please join us for a good day of golf for a “better” cause!
How It All Started: The Story of Executive Director, Thomas C. Riley
Photo Credit: New Bedford Guide / Photographer Colton Simmons
When Thomas Riley began his career in the early seventies, he never imagined that someday he would be leading a top service agency for persons with disabilities. “I never woke up one day and said I wanted to be an Executive Director… It was something that just evolved naturally,” he says.
However, in 1988, Riley had a vision for a service model and support system that the community needed. Today, that vision exists as Better Community Living, Inc., and in 2018, the agency will proudly celebrate 30 years of service – from providing 19 community-based homes to individuals with disabilities, to varying day habilitation programs, children’s programs, faith programs, employment programs, and more.
Earning a degree in Public Administration, Riley started out studying the development of mental health programming. He was working in the psychiatric ward of a hospital running small group therapy programs. “I had a knack for that, working with people,” he says. “I was running one of the first mental health day programs in the area.”
However, Riley didn’t just excel at working with people. He found a natural empathy, understanding, and compassion for those requiring a unique, often challenging, level of care. This led him to eventually work with individuals with disabilities. The time was during the Reagan presidency, and government funding had just been cut. Most of the traditional institutions that individuals with developmental disabilities were being served by were being closed. As a result, residential and community-based services started to evolve. “I ended up working with another agency, understanding how to start a group home and get it licensed,” Riley says, remarking that the results were significant. “You could see how the quality of life improved for people who started initially in large state institutions then came to live in smaller homes in the communities.”
Riley saw a need and an opportunity in his own community, and BCL was born with a unique goal to serve the person, to offer them a life similar to anyone’s, and to use new positive behavioral approaches for lasting skills development. “I used a lot of the ideas of community-based services that I’d learned, and I knew it was important to have services that were offered locally and still nearby individuals’ families,” he says.
Riley began with what he felt was critically important – providing persons with a place to call home. “It was providing a chance for individuals to move into a regular household, a household like my own, or anyone else I knew, a three or four bedroom ranch” Riley says. “They could then learn to use community services, go to a regular dentist, doctors, and banks. For people that lived in the state institution, they were never exposed to these things.”
The institutional setting not only limited a person’s exposure to the outside world, but it also removed an individual’s ability to live autonomously, to develop independence, ownership, or a sense of self. Washing of laundry in the institutional setting was always an issue. It’s that simple act of moving into a house, and the laundry stays in that house. They get their own clothes. It’s that natural flow of life that is a huge benefit to people.”
Riley also wanted to position the agency directly in the community, to work more closely with families and provide more opportunities for real relationship building. “I wanted to make the agency compact geographically. The reason was to maintain quality and connection with the people we were serving. Communication with families is very important, and I wanted to make sure we had input from the families and consumers all the way to the top level of the agency,” Riley says.
BCL thus started with residential programs and day programs. The first home contained four individuals. Then, more homes were acquired. “We started to set up duplexes because a 2-person household felt more natural than a 4-person household. It also provided more dignity and privacy… For example, people with autism have some really unique needs. They respond best to a quiet household,” Riley says. “We’ve also had people who stay home. For some, the day program is too much stimulation. It’s not an appropriate place for them to go. We provide services for them and things to do out of a house where they are more comfortable and more at ease. The behavioral challenges we may see in other environments we don’t see by doing it this way.”
Within just two years, BCL was serving 20 individuals in five different households. Riley secured committed, long-term staff that were dedicated to BCL’s new consumers and its mission. “The consumers were new to the households, and staff were new to the consumers. From being in the institutions, many individuals had learned some very difficult behaviors. We trained our staff to use positive behavioral supports and these behaviors – behaviors, like self-abuse – stopped. Other agencies would restrain, but we used positive behavioral support interventions, using restraints as a short-term, last resort.”
Today, BCL offers 19 homes to a range of 45-50 individuals, along with its numerous other programs such as Day Habilitation, Individual Supports, Children’s Services, Bridges to Faith, Shared Living, and its Supported Employment Network.
“Our agency had a focus – that we stand by the people we are serving. We chose to change the environment using positive behavioral supports. It’s about common sense and treating people with respect and dignity… and this paid off for people who had challenges. Once they learned to feel comfortable again, their challenges subsided,” Riley says.
Today, Riley has countless stories to share. “I think of the people we started with in this agency. Once we were able to establish a place they felt comfortable, safe, and secure… a lot of the challenging issues they had in their life went away. They developed new skills that were critical to obtain a better quality of life,” he says. “For some, it may take time. It may take a couple of years. Eventually, you see their comfort level, communication skills, relationships improve… That, I think, is the rewarding part of the work, to see people gain so much more control over the quality of their life.”
Riley shares a story of one individual who came to the agency without the ability to speak. “We worked with him on his communication skills. Now, 10 years later, he has good communication skills. He can control his environment, build relationships,…and he’s happy. He’s happy and comfortable, and that’s really important of the people we serve in residential programs,” Riley says. Another story describes a woman who had multiple children, who needed residential services. “She visited various agencies and picked ours. We worked with her, helped pick out the house they were going to live in, and helped them move in. Before that, they’d been at a state institution for 30 years…”
What BCL has provided has been life-changing for persons with disabilities and their families. Families were, and continue to be, thrilled by their loved ones’ improvements and results. Often, a person’s successes and breakthroughs have been accomplishments that many thought impossible. “It’s about serving the person,” Riley says. “It’s about understanding them, and doing things in a way that is positive, that reinforces their skills, and that serves their needs.”
“We keep the individual’s interests, the families’ interests, and our interests shared. We’ve made it a community for everyone – and it’s made our agency what it is today.”
Whatever it Takes… Building a Home
Better Community Living, Inc. (BCL) provides homes to those with disabilities. However, there’s a unique level of compassion for those served by BCL. This mission is so important that accomplishing it often means doing whatever it takes – such as gutting a building and completely renovating it to meet an individual’s comfort, desires, and needs. Here is just one of BCL’s stories.
In 1996, both Kim and Faith were being served by BCL. They lived together in a home with two other individuals. However, the situation wasn’t always ideal. “Kim is very verbal,” says manager Leslie Lopes. “Some of the clients weren’t happy. She’d get bullied. Kim’s mother wanted her to be able to roam around the house and be who she is.” Leslie says that Kim’s mother then reached out to Tom Riley, BCL’s Executive Director. She sought approval for a new home and that was it.
The effort began to locate a new property and make it Kim’s new home. Even better, the home would include provisions to also bring her roommate Faith, whom she’d developed an easy friendship with. BCL quickly discovered a dentist’s office that was listed for sale. The agency bought it and renovated the entire building over the course of the next year.
“They knocked down everything,” Leslie said, noting that the entire house wasn’t just renovated, but also fully customized to both women’s needs. “We had a specialist come in to make the house more vision friendly,” said Leslie. “Kim has low vision and Faith is legally blind.” This impacted decisions like choosing certain colors to make objects more visible. Light walls allowed the women to see entrances better. The dark furniture also stands out stronger. In Faith’s bedroom, there’s a perfectly styled purple paint line, that you would think is a decoration. It allows her to find her way into her room easier.
Of course, Kim and Faith’s families were involved too. Kim’s mom and Faith’s guardian helped select all of the furniture – from the living room to each bedroom set. Eventually, the home was complete, both women moved in, and they have been living there ever since.
The renovations continue as BCL pledges to stay committed to the ladies’ needs. “Both of them are not very mobile, and Tom has done so much to help us with the mobility issues. He makes sure we have all the tools that they need to be very comfortable,” Leslie says as she points out high-tech lift systems in the bathroom and bedrooms. “Every need and want… he’s right there to make it happen.”
Today, the home remains bright and spacious. The furniture is modern. Everything is pristine. There’s plenty of room to roam, and the house is as cozy as any home one might want to move into. Plus, the women grow and learn there too. Beneath a flat screen TV in their living room is a long built-in desk. Two keyboards are hooked up so that both women can play music – a hobby they both greatly enjoy. The ladies live in a home that truly suits their needs and enhances their ability to grow. In fact, Kim and Faith have now been roommates for 30 years.
“BCL definitely takes care of them,” Leslie says with an air of gratitude. “Tom always makes sure they get what they need. All I have to do is say Hey, I need this…. and it appears like magic,” she says. Today, Leslie has been with the agency for decades. When she first started, she had just returned from military service and was simply looking for work. “I never expected to be here this long, but I ended up loving it. It’s knowing that we are making a difference in their lives. I’ve been a constant person for them,” she says. Finally, Leslie adds that she has grown too, in addition to helping both women to grow. “I was a person that kind of shied away from conversation. This job has taught me to be an advocate, to learn the needs of other people – to learn, and understand, and really advocate for them.”
Positive Behavior Support
This explains what Positive Behavior Support (PBS) is and describes each level in the PBS pyramid. It also lists the Universal Positive Behavior Support strategies that Better Community Living, Inc. has adopted as an agency.
Positive Behavior Support is a systematic, person centered approach to understanding the reasons for behavior and applying evidence based practices for prevention, proactive intervention, teaching and responding to behavior, with the goal of achieving meaningful social outcomes, increasing learning and enhancing the quality of life across the lifespan.
Universal Positive Behavior Support strategies are things that we do for all individuals we support. The vast majority (about 80%) of individuals are successful with just these strategies.
Better Community Living’s Universal Positive Behavior Supports:
Choice Making Opportunities
Relationship Enhancement
Community Integration
Opportunities to Learn New Skills
Positive and Encouraging Interaction Style
Targeted Positive Behavior Support strategies are person specific procedures designed to address particular behavioral issues that may put the person at risk for reduced quality of life. About 15% of the people supported may require these types of interventions.
Intensive Positive Behavior Support strategies are also person-specific and may be utilized to help remediate dangerous or significantly interfering behavior. Individuals requiring these types of interventions represent only about 5% of the people supported.
At Better Community Living we believe that people who feel in control of their lives, who feel valued, who feel their lives are meaningful and who have things to look forward to are far less likely to engage in problem behavior.
BCL’s Monthly Friendship Dinners: A Chance To Learn and Connect
Relationships, a sense of community, and a feeling of belonging… these are qualities many of us enjoy on a daily basis, but rarely fully appreciate. For persons with disabilities, the chance to meet new friends and attend social engagements is often limited. This is why Better Community Living, Inc. (BCL) is committed to supporting relationship-building opportunities for the adults with disabilities that we serve.
Among numerous initiatives is BCL’s new, recurring monthly “friendship” dinner which started simply as an idea and quickly became an overnight success. “We help people meet their dreams and needs… that’s the inspiration. That’s where this all started,” says Jacqueline Brum, dinner coordinator.
Jacqueline says that through her work with the agency, she has been able to learn the needs and desires of the individuals she assists. “I was starting to think that there was a lack of getting together in groups, for a chance to meet others. There’s a common issue of lacking relationships, knowing how to make relationships, or even just having unpaid friends who aren’t staff and a chance to meet new people.”
With this, Jacqueline had an idea and informed her colleagues. The idea of hosting monthly dinner gatherings was born, and now, more than 80 individuals consistently attend each month. This includes BCL’s consumers – adults with disabilities – as well as their family members, friends, and numerous BCL staff and their families who equally enjoy the event.
One of the unique approaches to the dinners however, is that BCL’s consumers serve as the event organizers, planners, and even the chefs. “It’s totally self-run,” Jacqueline says. “One of my consumers, his name is Carol, he is actually the DJ for the event! His staff Mary is one of the coordinators for the buffet decorations. We also have other individuals, Cristiano, Jordan, Ashley… they are our maintenance crew. They help set up, organize, and break down the event,” she says.
Jacqueline calls the event a ‘friendship potluck dinner.’ The entire menu is pre-planned with each guest choosing which item they will make and bring. “Every individual that attends brings a plate of food they made at home. We provide a menu. They have to go to the store, buy their items, and plan for their preparations,” Jacqueline says. This provides a sense of responsibility and involvement, and it has also taught many individuals new skills. “Actually cooking for a large party, and not just making enough for their housemates, is something new. They are learning to make huge, family-sized event platters of food,” Jacqueline says.
Jacqueline is extremely happy with the success of the program since it started in August. “We actually grew so large from the first dinner that we had to rent space the following month. Now, we are using the event room at the Fairhaven Senior Center,” she says.
Of course, the true success is in the impact that the dinners are making for all who attend. Jacqueline points out that the dinners bring together people that may not meet otherwise. Attendees range from individuals in BCL’s homes, to individuals with families in the community. “There’s a lot of new friendships that are made because the people that live in the community, they don’t know people in our homes. Even people in our homes don’t know people in the other homes. They make friends. Then, they’re calling each other and making plans to see each other the next month. They’re now able to plan for new friendships and create new events for themselves. People they wouldn’t even have known had they not had the chance of doing so at this event,” Jacqueline says.
The events are fun too. Each month bears its own theme. “They get excited about decorating for that theme and dressing for the theme. These have included holiday themes, Team Spirit night for Touchdown Tuesday, and upcoming themes like the December Christmas Sweater Party, the New Year’s Ball, and Valentine’s Sweetheart dinner. Balloons, tablecloths, table toppers, plates, and even music are catered to the theme – and after dinner, everyone dances.
When asked why Jacqueline made the decision to go above and beyond in her work, and to organize something with her colleagues that no one had asked her to do, she replied, “We love the people we support, and we really like to see them as happy as possible. It’s about being a part of their support and their happiness, and helping them to fulfill their needs and their dreams. There’s a common goal. We all have a different idea of how to make this happen. This was my idea…”
The monthly friendship dinners occur within the third week of each month, from 5-7pm at the Fairhaven Senior Center, unless otherwise stated. For more information, contact Jacqueline Brum at 774-992-4756 or jacqueline_brum@nullbettercommunity.com.
Friendships, Art, and Lifelong Memories: The Story of David and Gregory
In life, people meet under all kinds of circumstances. Often, these circumstances are expected. We make new friends in our social and work networks and we don’t think twice about it. Other times, however, a new connection seems to come out of nowhere. It’s the person you meet standing in line for coffee, the person you accidentally collide with on the street – or the person you meet one day while casually exercising at the gym. This is the story of David and Gregory.
The year was 1997. Gregory Yurovitsky was working out at the gym like any other day when a young man appeared to ask him a question. Within minutes, Gregory found himself talking naturally and easily with David Danis. They became fast acquaintances and friends as Gregory gave David tips and pointers on exercising and working out.
David’s mother recognized the connection that her son had with Gregory, and asked Gregory if he would be willing to guide and mentor her son more closely through his service agency, Better Community Living Inc. (BCL). Gregory said “sure” and he’s been helping to support David ever since. Twenty years later, Gregory has served as David’s mentor, friend, and even his roommate. When David needed a place to live at one point, Gregory opened his doors to him.
Gregory speaks highly of David’s persistence and work ethic. “When you tell David about something, he wants to do it. You can say it may be hard, and he says ‘I love it!’ He doesn’t even care,” Gregory says. “David’s willing to try. He works hard and succeeds every time.”
Gregory’s right… David’s work ethic is impressive. Having recently turned 50, David’s energy and dedication hasn’t ceased. To this day, he works four different jobs including Home Depot for 15 years, Olive Garden for 17 years, Big Value Outlet for 7 years, and Friendly Pizza for 20 years. “Everybody likes David,” Gregory says. “He gets recognition. By now he’s a pro, one of the best workers.”
However, Gregory is known for something else – his art. One day, Gregory noticed that David was always coloring in coloring books. “It was meditation for David,” Gregory says. Then one day, David had a stack of books. As he was flipping through the pages he said, “Gregory I want to show you something.” Gregory looked but David persisted, pointing at the pages. “Yes David, I’m looking,” Gregory said. “No look…,” David replied. “He was painting in small dots,” Gregory recalled, “and when you stepped away, you could see a whole picture. I couldn’t believe it. I said, this is art.”
David repurposed and painted a chair he spotted on the side of the road!
With the help of Gregory and his mother, David began practicing his craft. He met an art teacher at UMass Dartmouth and started receiving lessons from art students. Then, David’s mother found a local artist to assist as David’s art teacher and mentor. Today, David’s art can be found throughout the community. His paintings appear in businesses, like doctors’ and lawyers’ offices, and even in places he has worked. One painting hung inside Olive Garden for two years, and others hung inside the Hampton Inn where he also once worked. He’s received recognition too. One local Senator requested a painting for his office, and shortly thereafter honored David at the State House for his accomplishments.
“He took his own direction in art. It’s abstract. They call him Monet with Down syndrome,” Gregory says. “He participated in so many art shows and exhibitions, and we also sometimes do auctions as fundraisers.”
For twenty years, Gregory has been one of David’s greatest advocates. He not only supports David’s interests, but sees his potential on a daily basis. Gregory’s role has been instrumental to helping David lead a rich and fulfilling life.
Today, Gregory and David still exercise at the gym together. “He’s very active. David likes to workout. He also likes to take long walks on the beach or in the park. We always have our phone or camera. When David sees something he likes, we take a picture, and we send it to his art teacher, and he paints it – local river, fields, or birds, or anything he likes,” Gregory says. “He likes bowling too,” Gregory says, “and he’s really good at bowling. He used to be in the Special Olympics. He likes to play tennis too, and he always beats me because he’s so good. Right David?” David smiles. Further, the two have even traveled together all the way to Israel. David has family there, so both of them planned a trip and visited for two weeks to celebrate Passover together with David’s family.
Gregory says Better Community Living has played an important role in David’s life, and that he has been extremely grateful for the opportunity to help. He says, “It’s very rewarding. I’ve learned a lot from David… Not to get discouraged, and try to do the best you can in everything, and in your life. Nothing should hold you back. I can see some people get depressed with disabilities and I think it’s the wrong approach. David is proof of it. He’s so successful in everything he does. His limitations are nothing. It’s not an obstacle for David.”
To support Better Community Living, Inc. and contribute to individuals like David, consider a small donation. BCL serves children and adults with disabilities. People like you help make our services available. To make a secure donation online, visit www.bettercommunity.com.
These Driven Women Prove That There Are No Limits to Personal Success
Our consumers show us time and again that ‘disability’ is merely a term, and not one that limits them from achieving their full potential. Here, we highlight two very special young women who receive services from BCL and also work for us in our main office. Both of them received medals at the Special Olympics this year, in addition to their many other talents and accomplishments.
Ashley
Meet Ashley, 25 years old, driven, enthusiastic, and one of the most caring young ladies you’ll meet at BCL. Recognize her? It’s because she’s the friendly face greeting people at the 5 Ventura Drive front desk.
“I’ve worked here for about three years now. I’ve always done reception work,” Ashley says, who notes that when she first started, she offered to help with anything that was needed. “I was doing basic phone calls, shredding, whatever they needed help with in the office.”
Ashley, who lives in Dartmouth, is full of energy and life. When she’s not enjoying her work at BCL, or at her second job over at Anytime Fitness, she loves going out with her staff, hitting up the beach, and listening to music. Her favorite? Rap! Ashley’s lucky too. She enjoys every chance she has to visit her family in East Wareham. “I like to visit my parents as they’re getting a little bit older,” she says.
Ashley has resided within a BCL home for several years, and enjoys living with her current roommate. “We pretty much get along good together. We go out and we do things on the weekends. I like to be more active, and like them fitting me with someone else that’s perfect to get along with.”
While Ashley has countless admirable traits, perhaps her most recent inspiring moment was her ‘win’ at this year’s Special Olympics. She says she’s always been kind of active, enjoying going for walks and sports. “I love to play basketball,” she adds, “And I’m a big Patriots fan.”
“I never thought I’d do the Special Olympics,” Ashley says, “but I put myself to a challenge and I got two bronze medals. One was for the javelin throw and one for the shotput throw.” Not only did Ashley love competing, she loved the entire experience.
“We stayed at Boston University, at a dorm room, and we went to a restaurant and had chicken. Then the busses would shuttle us to Harvard University where the Special Olympics were held. And actually, my staff took me, and me and my staff had a good time.”
Staying with her staff chaperone, Aisha, Ashley says, “She helped me and supported me through everything, through the whole thing… and she cheered me on when I was throwing.” Ashley also enjoyed seeing a couple of her friends from other local agencies.
When asked where the idea to compete came from, Ashley said, “It came from my heart. I’m a very caring person. When I decide to do something, I strive to do it.” And of course, when she heard her name called, she was overjoyed. “I felt very happy, excited that I got two bronze medals… “I told everybody!”
Ashley loves interacting with people, and says she hopes that someday she’ll find a job in the mall in retail work. She’s also constantly excited about her future. “My life goal is to live with my staff doing the program that they have, Shared Living.”
Ashley describes herself as this. “I push myself beyond limits. That’s what I do.
Until then, however, Ashley enjoys her life and loves the opportunity she’s been given to work for BCL. “I care for a lot of people at BCL. It’s been good. I’ve been able to get along with everybody here. I’ve been here for three years and absolutely love it. When I earn my money, I spend it wisely. I don’t spend on foolish things. I save up for things I want,” she says.
“I do whatever it takes,” Ashley adds. “I work the front desk, and I do the Children’s Program with Cathy Tremblay. All the children that I work with are very nice to me. I help them out. Whatever Cathy needs me to do. I’m in the BCL day hab every month…. BCL got me this job, so I thank all the people here who have gotten me strong. I consider them all like family to me. They keep me on my feet.”
Sarah
Meet Sarah, 31 years old, dedicated, responsible, soft-spoken, genuine, warm, loving, happy… Her list of amazing qualities goes on!
Sarah has worked for two years over at the front desk of BCL’s 5 Ventura Drive office. When asked what her work is like, she responds, “I just love it.” It’s clear Sarah is very good at her job. She manages numerous tasks all at once, from answering phone calls to letting in visitors, filing papers, and assisting the staff with their various projects. She even helps with the Human Rights Trainings with Marina. “I help her with the training for the staff… I just love it,” Sarah remarks.
However, what stands out most is her ear-to-ear smile that lights up the room when anyone walks in. A visitor, coming back on a return visit to BCL, was immediately recognized by Sarah who said, “Oh! You’re back!,” to which she quickly made small talk with him.
Outside of her work at BCL, Sarah’s had big goals and ambitions to excel in another arena – the Special Olympics. “I’ve been doing it for a couple years now. I like the running,” Sarah says. Discussing this year’s Special Olympics, she modestly adds, “I did track and field and actually did good. I got two medals.”
That’s right! Sarah was awarded with two medals in this year’s Special Olympics, earning Bronze and Gold medals in the shotput and turbo javelin competitions.” While showing admiration for her medal accomplishments, Sarah amazes with, “I’ve had a couple!”
Success comes from hard work though. There’s training involved, Sarah says. “We usually practice at UMass Dartmouth with our coach Jenna. She’s very nice. We practice every Sunday through the summer.” When asked if she’ll keep competing, Sarah says she will. It’s a lot of hard work and practice, she says adding, “I just love it.”
Sarah also talked about enjoying the experience, like staying at Boston University and being away for the entire weekend. “The last two years, we’ve been going to a chicken place in Boston.” (Someone else once mentioned this chicken too!)
When Sarah isn’t working at BCL, or training to win Gold medals, she lives in New Bedford with a roommate. “She’s very nice and friendly,” Sarah says, “I’ve been there just about a year.” She also has another job over at Anytime Fitness. “I clean. I love it. People are friendly. The lady I work for, Michaela, is so friendly,” Sarah says.
In her spare time, Sarah loves shopping and “just getting out,” as she puts it. She also loves listening to music, noting that NSYNC is what’s playing on her Pandora right now. Oh, and she also likes history. “I went to King Richard’s Faire with my roommate, and my manager and my staff. I loved it,” she says.
Sarah adds, “I wouldn’t be able to do it without my manager. Her name is Anita Coelho. We’re really close. She helps me with everything, managing my money, appointments. We’ve become good friends too.”
When asking Sarah to describe herself, the answer is no surprise after talking with her. “I’m a friendly person,” she says. “It’s just a natural quality.” Sarah hugs friends, even brand new ones, who visit BCL and greets everyone with a smile. Her joy, enthusiasm, and commitment to her goals is inspiring, and she can’t thank BCL enough for all its support.
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