Friendship Home was founded in 1999 by Wilma Goodhue and Joan Mullare to provide opportunities for friendship and community for adults with developmental disabilities, as well as provide respite for their families. In 2012, their vision was realized with the opening of a 14,000 square foot activity and respite center. Friendship Home now serves hundreds of families, providing various programs such as social activities, vocational training, and overnight respite care through two 5-bedroom units. Their mission is to enrich the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families through quality respite and support services.

1. a Home with a Heart

2. Friendship Home was founded in 1999 by Wilma Goodhue and Joan
Mullare, both mothers of adults with developmental disabilities. From
their own experience and listening to other families, they recognized
that their children and many others like them lacked opportunities for
friendship and community. They also found that families needed a
safe, reliable and enriching place where their loved ones could stay
while they took much-needed time to replenish their own
energy. Wilma and Joan engaged a caring and committed board of
directors, began planning for the construction of the Home and
launched our first social recreational program, Friendship Club.
In 2012, their vision was realized with the opening of our 14,000-
square-foot activity and respite center or “Home with a Heart.” Our
Home’s lower level provides a state-of-the art kitchen and activity room
for our social programs, and training space for our Bridges to Work
vocational program, as well as office space for our Individual Support
Services and administration. Our upper level houses the “Home Away
from Home” overnight respite center, which offers two 5-bedroom units
for 10 guests. Additional space in Quincy provides another meeting
location for our Friendship Club social recreational program.
Friendship Home has grown to serve hundreds of families caring for
people age 13 and older with developmental disabilities. We do so by
responding to gaps in service that are identified by families, funding
partners and the community. We customize our services and programs
one person, one family at a time, harnessing the resources of our many
community partners. Wilma and Joan humbly remind us that the
success of Friendship Home is a credit to our entire community!

3. Friendship Home

4. Philosophy
Friendship Home staff and volunteers operate at all times with the utmost
respect for human rights, personal choice and empowerment of individuals
served. We strive to continually improve services adhering to the highest
standards for client centered care. The following philosophies drive our
commitment to meeting the needs of individuals with developmental
disabilities and their families:
• Each individual has the right to lead a full and productive life with the
necessary supports provided by caring community members.
• Individuals with disabilities have the right to self-determination in all
areas of their lives and it is the goal of Friendship Home and its
supporters to remove the barriers in order that they might access a full
array of opportunities.
• We are responsible to create communities that support families caring
for loved ones with disabilities and should provide resources for these
families so that they may have the information and energy to provide the
best care possible.
Friendship Home fulfills its mission by engaging individuals, groups and
businesses to join us in creating quality and innovative programs that meet
the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.
All individuals are differently able and are an asset to their community,
have a right to be treated with respect and dignity as equal members of the
community, merit the opportunity to participate in all areas of family and
community life, have the potential for growth and development, are entitled
to opportunities to form personal relationships of their own choice, deserve
to live, work and play in environments which promote personal well-being.
Mission Statement
Friendship Home enriches the lives of
individuals with developmental
disabilities and their families by
providing quality respite and support
services in a safe and caring
environment.