Community Partners Inc.: Supporting people to have a greater sense of independence within their communities…..

In the mid-1970’s, Maine shifted its focus from supporting people with developmental disabilities in a large institutional setting to living within their communities. Community Support Services, Inc. (now Community Partners, Inc.) was founded in response to deinstitutionalization and has grown to support almost 200 people with developmental disabilities, like autism, Down syndrome, and cerebral palsy, to live more independently.

The three-unit apartment building on Victory Avenue, selected for the BrightBuilt Retrofit, is the perfect example of providing support, while promoting independence. The five people who live there have achieved a greater level of independence than would have been possible prior to 1975.  Daily activities as simple as sitting around the kitchen table enjoying company and a good meal were not possible back then. Today, however, the people living at Victory Avenue routinely commune in the spirit of home-cooked food or a game of cards.   

Known as congregate living, Victory Avenue has 24-hour support staff for the people living in three apartments, although some may require support for only a few hours a day for specific services. Direct supervision is outlined within their Person Centered Plans, including the ability to access their community independently and the opportunity to connect with family members and friends without being constantly supported by paid staff. Those individuals needing a higher level of support have staff consistently available.

CPI has taken the opportunity to develop personal services without the “one size fits all” approach. Our goal is to assure people are safe and have opportunities to be independent with the necessary support, while meeting their needs. We are also careful not to impose our presence where it is not necessary. Individuals living at Victory Avenue are very well-versed at communicating “not right now,” “no thank you” or, whenever necessary, “go away!”  Our support is respectful to individual desires and our services tailored around personal wishes and needs.

The people living at Victory Avenue are proud that their home has been selected for the Brightbuilt Retrofit. They look forward to a home that is warmer in the winters and cooler in the summers. When we get closer to construction, these individuals will be invited to talk about their thoughts regarding the project.

Community Partners, Inc. is excited to take another step forward in providing greater independence for people with developmental disabilities. The Brightbuilt Retrofit will lower the home’s energy costs, making our nonprofit less dependent on state dollars. We are pleased to support a project that establishes greater comfort for the people living at Victory Avenue, while lowering the carbon footprint and lessening the costs to tax payers. It’s a win for everyone!

Brenda Mitchell, CPI Director of Operations