TILL’s Newest Residence
 

Open House in Newton

on Summer Solstice

The ladies in our newest home in Newton celebrated a summer solstice evening welcoming their families, friends, Grace Church members, neighbors, builders, bankers, officials, and members of the human services community to take a tour and share a toast to their exciting new beginnings.   This state of the art residence offers accessible, spacious living with 24 hour care to five individuals who receive support to help them enjoy their new community life. We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Reverend Miriam Gelfer, along with her Grace Church members whose efforts helped to make this residence a success, and were on hand to welcome the individuals this very special evening.  The guests imbibed bubbly apple cider and enjoyed scrumptious cookies baked by our talented chefs at Essence of Thyme Catering in Hyde Park.

Agency celebrates 30 years, looks to the future
By Michele Morgan Bolton, Globe Correspondent

Over three decades, TILL, Inc., or Toward Independent Living and Learning, has grown to be the sixth-largest human service agency in the state, contracting with the Department of Developmental Disabilities, employing more than 800 people, and running day habilitation and residential programs in 63 sites throughout Eastern Massachusetts.

Not too shabby for an organization launched in 1980, during the era of deinstitutionalization, with a $1 million contract from the state Department of Mental Health to develop residential and support services, says president and founder Dafna Krouk-Gordon. Check out our picture slideshow of the event.

The mission, she said, was simple: Maximize the independence and potential of each individual with developmental disabilities.

That nationally-recognized effort, which also includes family supports and autism, vocational, transportation, and clinical services throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire, was celebrated at a glittery 30th-anniversary gala last weekend in Boston.

“We are so proud to have been part of the revolutionary changes which have taken place in the provision of community-based services to people with disabilities,” Krouk-Gordon said. “We are taking our 30th anniversary as an opportunity to reflect on our own history and our excitement for the future as we continue to shape the models of services which will be available in the decades to come.”

A number of TILL's programs distinguish it, Krouk-Gordon said.

Like Dances With Wheels, which for three years has enabled individuals with physical disabilities to perform interpretive dance routines at nursing homes and senior centers.

And Essence of Thyme Café and Catering, located in Chelsea, Hyde Park, and Nashua, that offers opportunities for clients to learn culinary skills under accomplished chefs on the way to vocational and social skills, and employment, she said.

TILL is committed to giving back to the communities in which clients and staff live and work by running volunteer programs to benefit homelessness, veterans, animal shelters, and farming programs, she said.

Clients are encouraged to take up hobbies and become accomplished at them, such as the community rowing program in Newton, and sports groups, Krouk-Gordon said.

"People with disabilities and their families need to be in the forefront of creating new service models to which TILL is firmly committed,” she said.

After all, she and others said, the object of life is to seize the day, not just get through it.

TILL Andover Residences’ Spring Carnival

Gathers Food and Raises Funds

The sun was shining brightly on May 1, 2010 for TILL’s Carnival and Fundraiser which took place at Alden Road in Andover. TILL’s philosophy of being a vital part of their community was in action as a number of management braved the dunk tank as their staff aimed to “dunk their bosses” for four hours to raise funds for the Andover Veterans Association. Revelers enjoyed games, prizes, raffles, crafts, clowns, popcorn, snow cones and treats galore! The D.J. entertaining the crowd, himself a member of the United States Air Force, volunteered his time. TILL coordinator Pam donated all the supplies for her craft table, and both Andover residential managers Carole Sullivan and Gyselis Fernandez donated their vacation time for the raffles. In addition, each reveler was requested to bring canned goods for contribution to The Walk for Hunger. Monday, May 31st, the Andover residences will be presenting a check for $728.00 to the Andover Veteran’s Association during Andover’s Memorial Day Services!