Overview 

Our Mission

Advocates mission is to help people achieve their hopes and dreams within the fabric of their communities. We partner with people with disabilities, elders, and those with other challenges to overcome personal obstacles and societal barriers so that they can obtain and keep homes, engage in work and other meaningful activities, and sustain satisfying relationships. We work to inspire communities to create opportunities for contribution and participation by all.

Who We Are

Founded in 1975 by a group of volunteers providing patient rehabilitation services on the grounds of Westborough State Hospital, Advocates is now one of the largest human services organizations in the state. Today, Advocates employs over 950 individuals and operates over 100 sites across Eastern and Central Massachusetts.

We are a leading provider of residential support services; outpatient mental health and substance abuse services; psychiatric emergency services; intensive home-based intervention for individuals and families; job training and support; housing and benefits advocacy services; services for youth in transition; and community justice programs.

Advocates is recognized nationally for a number of support services including those for individuals with Prader-Willi Syndrome and for Deaf and Hard of Hearing persons with disabilities. Service providers worldwide have accessed our Intentional Care training program, and our staff members are frequent presenters at work-shops and conferences across the country.

Our Services

To learn more about specific programs and services, click on these links:
Residential Supports
Advocates is a 501(c)(3)organization. All donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
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Supporting you, your loved ones, your friends, Your neighbors...

 
Advocates provides support services for people with:
  • Mental illness or co-occurring mental illness and substance abuse
  • Intellectual or developmental disabilities or co-occurring mental illness and developmental disability
  • Prader-Willi Syndrome
  • Autism and pervasive developmental disabilities
  • Acquired or traumatic brain injury
 
We also provide support services for:
  • Deaf adults with mental illness or a developmental disability
  • Families who are supporting a family member with a disability
  • Elders living in the community who may have a mental illness or substance abuse disorder
  • Adults with a mental health diagnosis in jail or re-entering the community
  • Youth in transition from foster care
  • Individuals and families who are homeless or at risk for homelessness

 

How to access services