Billerica Day Habilitation Center to receive 19 Original Artworks

The Art Connection of Boston has selected Toward Independent Living and Learning once again as an art recipient organization. The walls of TILL’s Billerica Day Habilitation Center will be enriched with nineteen original artworks donated by Boston area artists.  Additionally, in 2008 our TILL Building at Chelsea was the recipient of sixteen stunning works of art. Since its inception in 1995 this unique gifting program has placed over 4000 pieces of art work throughout the Boston area.  These original art creations have been generously donated by 270 artists and collectors, truly bringing art to life. Tova Speter, Program Manager for the Art Connection, guided our Art Committee comprised of individuals and staff through the selection process.

Frail Deeds Dancing, (Digital print, 2009) Steve Klarer	Waiting, (Mixed media on paper, 2009) Faith Hyde
Oaks by the Bay #1,(Oil on linen, 1995) Prilla Smith Brackett

TILL’s 30^th Anniversary Year

Toward Independent Living and Learning is pleased to announce our upcoming 30^th Anniversary. Since its inception in May 1980, TILL’s mission has been to create community based residential, vocational, and support services to help people reach their full potential and gain an optimal quality of life. TILL values hard work, independence, creativity, and developing models which are in the forefront of human services and education. At TILL we believe people have a right to grow and develop in all aspects of their lives. We offer a wide range of human services and programs throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire and continue to improve our services by listening and learning from those whom we support.  We hope you’ll join us at this historic event.

International Ambassador Program

TILL established an innovative International Ambassador Program in 2001 to offer travel opportunities globally to TILL employees and individuals whom we support. Each year we are awarded a foundation grant for this international educational and recruitment program.  Since 2001, we have traveled to Poland, Hungary, Denmark, England and China. The exchange program offers an opportunity to visit and work with other programs around the world who are involved with similar services to TILL’s.  

Langdon Community, much like TILL, is an innovative organization in England committed to supporting people with learning difficulties and developmental disabilities to “live a life of their own choosing.” In March, Dafna was accompanied by Tom Graef, Matt Guidi, and Theresia Robinson for a tour of Langdon and other programs throughout England. Our next exchange in October entailed a work exchange program for our individuals. Tre Guay, Amanda Degregoria, Isaac and Michael worked at Asta, a counterpart of Wal-Mart to see firsthand how services are handled in the country “across the pond.”