Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1515255
Opening doors for 50 years 7 The Bridge of Central Massachusetts • 1971 Westborough Human Rights Council submits proposal to Dept. of Youth Services to establish "halfway house" for boys upon closure of Lyman School. • 1973 This first program, called The Bridge, opens on Grove St. in Westborough (Agency budget: $80,000 a year). • 1973 Community Treatment Complex (CTC) founded by Barry Walsh, Phd and others starts the first after school program at Worcester State Hospital. • 1981 CTC establishes Adolescent Day School at 340 Main Street, Worcester. • 1982 Northboro Community Residence (NCR) opened as first Mental Health program of the Bridge. • 1982 CTC establishes a DMH-funded Adult Graduate Service. • 1983 Community Treatment Complex (CTC) opens the Ives Program for 8 adolescents with mental illness. • 1984 The Bridge opens services in Southbridge, Webster and Dudley. • 1986 The Bridge expands services for people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD). • 1988 The Bridge Childrens' Residence for six male youth ages 8 to 12 opens on Charles St. in Westborough. • 1976 Sharon Rinkus and Dennis Rice found Alternatives Unlimited with an agency budget of $300,000, supporting three programs. • 1977 Alternatives purchases Spinning Ring Mill in Whitinsville and opens Sheltered Workshop serving 200 individuals. • 1979 Dennis Rice becomes Executive Director of Alternatives. • 1980 Alternatives affiliates with Boston University Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation and is one of three nationwide implementing psychiatric rehabilitation approach. • 1985 Alternatives holds first "Bike-A-Thon," which later becomes known as the Valley Friendship Tour. • 1986 Alternatives expands day and residential services in the South Norfolk area. • 1986 Total budget is $4.5 million, with 18 programs and 135 employees. • 1989 Alternatives joins the International Work Exchange program, hiring 8 employees from the UK. THROUGH THE YEARS 1970s 1980s Alternatives Unlimited, Inc.