Local nonprofit serves disabled community despite internal, external challenges

Inside 56 Chestnut St.’s imposing three-story brick exterior are classrooms covered in paper plate suns and painted hearts — plastic bottles and egg cartons repurposed into flower gardens and mosaics that spill into hallways.

The building is leased by Opportunities for Inclusion, a nonprofit organization offering support for individuals with disabilities in Waltham and the surrounding communities. The building’s interior is made beautiful by participants in OFI’s day habilitation program.

The program, which aims to increase functional skill development with therapeutic and health support,  is one of many services offered by OFI. Staff members hope to empower individuality, only intervening when necessary.

Beyond arts and crafts, daily schedules include community outings, time in the gym to meet participants’ exercise goals, cooking groups and skill-building. 

“We try to create an environment where participants feel it is a home away from home,” said Mark Beaumont, OFI’s interim president and CEO.

Beaumont steps into a classroom to greet program participants. 

“Guess what?”one participant says, returning a hug, “I love you.”

70 years of advocacy

Waltham parents founded OFI in 1956, devoted to advocating for community programs in place of institutional care for their children with developmental disabilities.

“I think Waltham takes a lot of pride in the fact that from the very beginning there’s been this welcome and inclusive type of approach,” OFI director of marketing and development Joanne Raymond said.

Initially organized under The Arc of Massachusetts as the Greater Waltham Association for Retarded Citizens (GWArc), the agency chose a new name in 2018, Opportunities for Inclusion, in an effort to avoid the term “retarded”. Though still associated with The Arc network, which focuses heavily on legislation and advocacy, OFI is a distinct program offering community-based education, work training and clinical services to disabled individuals.

OFI recently received a three-year accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities and a two-year certification from the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services.

Individuals participate in OFI programs after successfully completing a referral process, facilitated by DDS, MassHealth, Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission and Massachusetts Commission for the Blind.

Beyond day habilitation, OFI programming offers community-based day supports in Waltham and Medfield, adult family care, group and individual employment services, school-to-work transitions, recreation and respite. OFI recently expanded its programming to include shared living services and in-home support services, both approved by DDS and MRC. 

OFI’s first group residence opened last year

OFI’s first group residence home, completed in November 2024, was named for OFI’s late president and CEO. Gabriel M. Vonleh House is located on 46 Chestnut St., next door to OFI’s main office.

The building, which was purchased and renovated with city grants, currently holds five bedrooms and three residents. Employees trade off shifts, living with residents around the clock and leading house meetings, preparing meals and outings based on residents’ preferences, and assisting with day-to-day functions.

“I love working closely with the residents,” staff member Sharaye Ragland said. “It’s more of a home setting and, you know, doing arts and crafts with them, and getting to bond with them a little bit better and (on a) more personal level.”

Ragland said house residents recently went to see “Demon Slayer” in theaters, enjoyed a cultural dinner featuring chicken parmesan and are preparing for a Halloween dance.

OFI hopes to continue expanding residential services as it renovates properties within the community. It plans to open a nine-bedroom group home at 15 Fiske Ave. in Waltham.

“We’re looking to provide programs and services to as many people as we can,” Beaumont said. “There’s such a great need.” 

Community connections

Many of OFI’s programs depend on community partnerships. This strategy expands OFI resources and meets one of the greatest needs noticed by the organization: a chance for the disabled individuals OFI serves to become active members of their community.

“We have been able to form really, really substantial partnerships with local community groups and organizations, and many of them wholeheartedly support the work that we do. All of these organizations give our participants an opportunity to feel included,” Beaumont said.

Community partners include Sparkle Brite Laundromat, The Salvation Army of Waltham, Common Good Co., the YMCA, Boys & Girls Club, The Home Depot and BJ’s.

Bentley University and Brandeis University student volunteers interact regularly with OFI participants through programs such as “Brandeis Buddies.” Both universities also offer employment opportunities to individuals in OFI programs.

OFI currently has a Community Development Block Grant from the city that is supporting community service by program participants. 

“There are obviously varying levels of disability, but those on the more high functioning end want to be as independent as possible, build their skills as much as possible, and be very active members of their community,” Raymond said.

Harvest Breakfast on Oct. 19 celebrates inclusion

Events such as OFI’s upcoming Harvest Breakfast create space for community members to interact with members of the disabled community in an inclusive, celebratory setting.

This year marks the 53rd year of a tradition started by the Waltham Lions Club as a fundraiser for GWArc. Community members continue to reminisce about early Harvest Breakfasts, Raymond said, where Boston Bruins player Bobby Orr would sign hockey sticks while city officials flipped pancakes and poured orange juice.

The event is now hosted by Embassy Suites Hotel; besides food, the event promises a silent auction, face painting, balloon animals, a magician and a dance floor run by DJ Rich Profita. 

“Those with disabilities that are not in our program, but other programs in neighboring towns, now know of this and make it an annual event as well,” OFI’s manager of marketing and development Meghan Maloney said. “So the inclusion of those folks as well is wonderful to see.” 

All proceeds benefit OFI programs and services for individuals with disabilities in the Greater Waltham community, and the event provides a much-needed source of funding for the nonprofit organization.

Facing financial headwinds

OFI also receives funds from MassHealth, the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services, the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission and private fees.

According to OFI’s annual 2024 report, the organization received 43% of its financial revenue and support from government contracts in FY24, totalling nearly $3.9 million. Contributions and grants accounted for 47% in FY24, about $3.3 million. 

OFI is reimbursed by the state for the time program participants are with them.  Delays in reimbursement are common, so cash flow management is an integral part of the organization’s day to day functioning, Beaumont said.

Recent changes in federal policies regarding healthcare and protections for the disabled have not impacted daily programming, said Beaumont.

However, that may change. 

“Fiscal challenges and changes in legislation may provide obstacles to our services, but our committed and skilled staff continue to overcome these obstacles and provide quality care,” the main website states.

That will be a task for OFI’s next president and CEO to tackle.

Beaumont was appointed to his current position as OFI’s interim president and CEO after the sudden death of the organization’s former president and CEO in December 2024. 

OFI has hired a search firm to find a permanent replacement for Vonleh and is hoping to make a decision in the next couple of months. Beaumont has applied for the position.