Garballey Named ‘Legislator of the Year’

WCI, which stands for Work, Community, Independence, has named State Representative Sean Garballey (Arlington and Medford) as Legislator of the Year.

WCI is a private, non-profit agency that has provided homes, employment opportunities and community-based day activities to people with a range of developmental and intellectual disabilities in the greater Waltham area. WCI strives to meet its mission by empowering and supporting people with disabilities to achieve rich, full lives at home, at work and in their communities. WCI encourages individuals “…to live, work, be a part of the community and achieve their optimal lifestyle.”

WCI was founded in Waltham, Massachusetts in 1974 with a mission to provide care and service for people with developmental disabilities. WCI’s first administrative office was on the third floor of the Christ Episcopal Church on Main Street in Waltham. Its first community home, with eight individuals, was in a large Victorian home in Waltham.

WCI has grown from a small local provider for eight people with developmental disabilities into a statewide organization with a budget of $11 million that serves several hundred people in 46 homes in Massachusetts, three residential divisions and a myriad specialized and individualized programs.

“In these very difficult budget times in Massachusetts it is critical that we have safety nets to protect those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Representative Garballey has been one of the leaders and strongest advocates for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities in the Massachusetts House of Representatives and we are proud to recognize him as Legislator of the Year,” said Nancy Silver Hargreaves, Chief Executive Officer of WCI.

– Information from State Rep. Sean Garballey (D-Arlington, Medford)