Westwood's Lifeworks Completes Dedham Apartment Renovation

WESTWOOD, MA – Lifeworks, a nonprofit human services provider that supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities including autism, announced today that it recently completed a residential renovation project in Dedham that will become an apartment program for individuals with autism.

The two-story property, located near the West Roxbury line, will be occupied by four persons who will live independently but receive daily supports from Lifeworks. This type of apartment program for persons on the autism spectrum is the first of its kind for Lifeworks. The residents will live in two units and will have access to all necessary daily supports and services from dedicated Lifeworks staff.

“The goal of our nearly 20 residential programs is to combine an environment of community and independent living with experienced coaching and supports,” said Lifeworks CEO Daniel Burke. “Our home in Dedham involved renovating a structure, but in reality we built a special home and a supportive community for the individuals we serve.”

Lifeworks invested considerable resources in the project, including interior and exterior upgrades, new appliances and furniture. Funding for these services will be provided by the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services.

The residential program is conveniently located near public transportation, a bustling commercial center and Lifeworks’ West Roxbury offices, which includes the recently expanded Adult Autism Support Center.

All of Lifeworks’ residential programs in Westwood and other towns are designed to create a feeling of community for residents, family members, neighbors and the broader community.

Since 1954, Lifeworks and its predecessors, Lifeworks Inc. and The Arc of South Norfolk, have served the towns of Norfolk County and beyond by providing support to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through advocacy, empowerment and opportunity. The Westwood-based nonprofit organization serves more than 2,300 individuals from communities in the Greater Boston, MetroWest, Norfolk County and Attleboro areas through a wide variety of services and programs, including: employment services; residential, family and community supports; and day programs. For more information, visit www.lifeworksarc.org.