The Shared Living Programs of the Polus Center

"This is the best home I've ever had."
-- Janet, who has lived with John & Gerry for four years.

"We're so connected - there's no beginning and no end."
-- Roberta, who has shared her life with Carlos for the past fifteen years

"To make it work, Shared Living needs to be in your heart."
-- Daniela, whose family has been sharing life with Lianne for eight years

"We all accept everyone as family and we respect each other"
-- Shannyn, reflecting on her experience as a home provider to Ivy and Fran

"We're like family."
-- Juanita, referring to her relationship with Val.

"You are giving someone the opportunity to have a better life."
-- Mathew, explaining why he chooses to be a Shared Living provider.

"It's a joy."
-- Peggy, who has been sharing her home with Delores for the past four years.

Left to right, back row: Jack Powers, Althea Henderson, Marc Jean-Jacques. Front row, left to right, Wendy Swanson, Laurie Sault. »

Shared Living is an alternative to traditional residential service models for people with disabilities. It invites the exploration of creative ways for people to live, problem solve, and celebrate together. By assisting people to live in regular homes as part of a family and by promoting natural supports, people with disabilities are able to live, work and enjoy leisure pursuits within their communities.

Since 1991, the Polus Center has helped to establish and support households where people with and without disabilities live together in mutually beneficial relationships that are based on positive social values, respect for everybody in the household, and are characterized by loyalty and affection for one another. Shared Living encourages each person to live a rich and meaningful life and promotes highly individualized supports rooted in relationships. We strive to create homes that are supportive, safe, and comfortable while accommodating the needs and preferences of each household member. In Shared Living, people live together as equals, involve each other in other relationships and activities outside the home, and together offer hospitality to others.

We at the Polus Center believe that a clear benefit of Shared Living is the natural sharing of personal networks that occurs when people share their lives. These networks, which may be part of the provider's extended family, neighborhood, or other community connections, such as work, church and associations, enhance the possibilities for people with disabilities to find friendship and other connections within their communities.

The Polus Center's Shared Living Programs currently support 50 individuals and 46 households. We also provide vocational support to twelve individuals through Commonwealth Business Associates which is part of the Greater Boston Community Network. There are four program offices representing the Polus Center's Shared Living Programs:

Central Mass. Community Network

Polus Center Shared Living team leader/CMCN Program Director Laurie Sault and Shared Living Alliance Program Director Wendy Swanson. »

Serves people in the greater Worcester area
Office location: 255 Park Ave. 1st floor, Suite D, Worcester
Telephone: 508-752-8129
Program Director: Laurie Sault
Assistant Program Directors: Patricia Mafra & Godfrey Kollie

Shared Living Alliance

Serves people in the metro Boston area and the South Shore
Office Location: P.O. Box 1371, Duxbury, MA
Telephone: 781-934-8741
Program Director: Wendy Swanson

Greater Boston Community Network

Serves people in the greater Boston area
Office Location: 240A Elm Street, Somerville,
Telephone: 617-591-1274 | Fax: 617-591-1278
Assistant Program Director: Althea Henderson

North Shore Shared Living

North Shore Shared Living Program Director Jack Powers (right) and Community Support Specialist Paul McQuaid. »

Serves people in the Merrimac Valley
Office Location: 110 Haverill Rd., Amesbury, MA;
Telephone: 978-388-0738
Program Director: Jack Powers
Community Support: Paul McQuaid