New Avenues To Independence Inc

What New Avenues To Independence Inc does

New Avenues to Independence is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1952 (as Parents Volunteer Association, incorporated 1956) that provides a continuum of residential, community-based, inclusion, and recreational services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) across Northeast Ohio. The organization serves more than 600 individuals in the Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, and Lake county region through five interconnected programs: 10 owned-and-operated Intermediate Care Facilities (group homes) across 10 communities; Community-Based Services for adults 18+ in waiver homes; Inclusion Services supporting competitive employment and community engagement; a four-week Therapeutic Summer Camp for approximately 85 participants ages 3-21; and an American Music Therapy Association (AMTA)-approved music therapy internship program, one of a small number of pre-approved clinical training sites in Ohio. Operational technology is limited; the most notable technical initiative is a smart-home technology pilot at the Valleybrook home designed to increase resident independence, communication, and community engagement, which the organization has positioned as a template for future home acquisitions.

The business model is a hybrid of Medicaid-reimbursed service delivery and charitable fundraising. Primary revenue is generated through Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities and county board of DD funding channels, including Medicaid waiver programs, supplemented by individual and corporate donations (restricted and unrestricted), planned gifts, employer matching, a Cleveland Foundation endowment fund, and event-based fundraising (the Applause gala and restaurant partner events with Red Robin and Buffalo Wild Wings). The organization is governed by a Board of Directors chaired by Steve Kachur, with CEO Melanie Carnes leading day-to-day operations. There is no traditional commercial pricing model; services are accessed via county board referrals rather than direct consumer purchase. Geographic expansion is contained within Northeast Ohio, with a stated 2024 plan to acquire five additional residential homes as part of a capacity-expansion initiative.

Name

New Avenues To Independence Inc

Legal name

New Avenues to Independence, Inc.

Website

https://newavenues.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1952

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

New Avenues to Independence is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1952 in Cleveland, Ohio, that provides residential, community-based, inclusion, summer camp, and music therapy services to over 600 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Northeast Ohio.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability and human services (residential and community-based IDD support)

NAICS

Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (62321), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (623210), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310), Child and Youth Services (624110)

SIC

Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Specialized Assisted Living for Developmental/Intellectual Disabilities (Adult) (HLADABAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG), Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG), Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Schools & Life Skills Programs (EDAKAAAD)

Keywords

• Disability residential services
• Intellectual developmental disabilities
• Community based services
• Group home care
• Music therapy programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Cleveland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices12 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding and Medicaid Waiver Programs: Primary revenue stream through Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (ODDD) and county boards of developmental disabilities. Services funded through Medicaid waiver programs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
2. Individual and Corporate Donations: Charitable donations from individuals and corporations, including planned gifts and employer matching programs. Donations can be restricted (designated for specific programs) or unrestricted (used where most needed).
3. Fundraising Events: Annual events such as Applause (gala), Burgers for Independence (Red Robin fundraiser with 20% of sales donated), and Wings for Independence (Buffalo Wild Wings fundraiser with 15% of sales donated).
4. New Avenues to Independence Fund at the Cleveland Foundation: Endowment fund at the Cleveland Foundation that expands funding mix and ensures long-term financial stability by preserving and investing dollars for future benefit.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

New Avenues to Independence is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides a continuum of residential, community-based, and inclusion services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) across Northeast Ohio. Its core offerings include 10 owned Intermediate Care Facility group homes, waiver-based community services, competitive employment and community inclusion support, a therapeutic summer camp, and an AMTA-approved music therapy clinical training program, all designed to help individuals with disabilities live, learn, work, and thrive in community settings.

Product overview

New Avenues to Independence is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing a portfolio of disability services across Northeast Ohio. The organization operates as a unified service platform offering five interconnected programs: (1) Residential Services via 10 Intermediate Care Facilities/group homes across 10 communities; (2) Community-Based Services providing waiver home support for over 30 individuals across three counties; (3) Inclusion Services for community engagement and employment; (4) Therapeutic Summer Camp serving approximately 85 children/young adults ages 3-21; and (5) an AMTA-approved Music Therapy Internship program. Services are coordinated to support individuals from residential care through community integration and independence.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Residential Services (Intermediate Care Facilities/Group Homes) New Avenues operates 10 Intermediate Care Facilities (ICF), also called group homes, across 10 Northeast Ohio communities. Each home provides 24-hour residential support including meals, staffing, and individualized service planning to help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities develop daily living skills and work toward greater independence.
• Community-Based Services Waiver-based residential support services for adults 18+ with intellectual and developmental disabilities, assisting with activities of daily living while maintaining community engagement. Services are provided across Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, and Lake counties, serving over 30 individuals in waiver homes.
• Inclusion Services Community engagement and competitive employment support services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Includes teaching and coaching in real-life situations, building social connections, and facilitating participation in community activities without paid supports over time. Services are provided individually and in small groups (generally 4 people or fewer).
• Therapeutic Summer Camp A four-week therapeutic summer camp held in June and July at Broadmoor School in Lake County for children and young adults ages 3-21 with disabilities from Lake, Geauga, and Cuyahoga counties. Serves approximately 85 participants with structured activities including art, music therapy, adaptive physical education, and themed enrichment activities aligned with Extended School Year goals.
• Music Therapy Internship An American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) approved six-month full-time clinical training program. Since 1994, over 100 music therapy interns have been trained. The program focuses on using music to enhance cognitive abilities, stimulate neuroplasticity, and promote emotional well-being for individuals with disabilities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serving over 600 individuals with disabilities across Northeast Ohio
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Buffalo Wild WingsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 29 July 2026Restaurant partner for 'Wings for Independence' fundraiser. Buffalo Wild Wings donates 15% of eligible sales to New Avenues when customers mention the fundraiser.
• Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and BrewsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 8 July 2026Restaurant partner for 'Burgers for Independence' fundraiser. Red Robin donates 20% of eligible food sales to New Avenues when customers mention the organization.
• Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (ODDD)coreOthersState government agency providing regulatory oversight and funding for developmental disability services in Ohio. Primary government partner for waiver programs and service authorization.
• Ashtabula County Board of Developmental DisabilitiescoreOthersCounty-level partner providing referrals and funding for individuals with developmental disabilities in Ashtabula County.
• Lake County Board of Developmental DisabilitiescoreOthersCounty-level partner providing referrals and funding for individuals with developmental disabilities in Lake County.
• Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental DisabilitiescoreOthersCounty-level partner providing referrals and funding for individuals with developmental disabilities in Cuyahoga County.
• Ohio Health Care Association (OHCA)minorOthersState association representing healthcare providers. Membership indicates industry alignment and access to best practices in healthcare services.
• ANCORminorOthersNational association representing community-based residential services providers. Membership indicates industry leadership and advocacy at federal level.
• American Music Therapy Association (AMTA)coreOthersNational association that has approved New Avenues as a clinical training program in music therapy. New Avenues is one of few pre-approved music therapy clinical training sites in Ohio.
• AeroblastminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor for Applause 2025 gala event, along with other corporate sponsors that help raise vital funds for the organization.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Regional players

• Bellefaire JCB: Cleveland-based nonprofit serving children, adolescents, and young adults with mental health, autism, and developmental disabilities. Regional peer serving overlapping populations (IDD, autism) in Northeast Ohio with residential, educational, and community-based programs.
• Achievement Centers for Children: Cleveland-area nonprofit providing educational, therapeutic, and community-based services for children and adults with disabilities, including autism. Directly comparable mission and overlapping IDD/county-board referral ecosystem in Northeast Ohio.
• The Centers for Families and Children: Cleveland-based social services nonprofit offering a continuum of family, behavioral health, and disability services. Comparable in scale and mission breadth as a Northeast Ohio human services nonprofit, though broader in scope beyond IDD.
• Jewish Family Service Association of Cleveland (JFSA): Cleveland-based social services nonprofit providing case management, home-based support, and disability services. Comparable as a regional human services nonprofit serving vulnerable populations including seniors and persons with disabilities.

Direct peers

• The Arc of Greater Cleveland: Local chapter of The Arc, providing advocacy, residential, and community-based services to individuals with IDD in Cuyahoga County. Most direct IDD-services peer, sharing the same county board referral base and HCBS waiver funding.
• ViaQuest: Ohio-headquartered provider of residential, day, vocational, and behavioral health services for individuals with IDD and mental health needs. Most direct for-profit peer operating ICFs and waiver services in Ohio with similar county board contract model.
• Inclusa (Care Wisconsin): Wisconsin-based managed care organization and HCBS provider supporting individuals with IDD and other disabilities. Comparable as a Medicaid-funded community-based disability services provider with residential and day program offerings.

Broad incumbents

• BrightSpring Health Services: Large diversified home and community-based services platform that operates IDD residential and day services across the U.S., including Ohio. Direct competitor for waiver referrals and direct-care staff, with substantially greater scale and M&A capacity.
• Sevita Health (formerly MENTOR/Sevita): National operator of HCBS and ICF services for individuals with IDD and behavioral health needs. Operates in Ohio and competes for the same Medicaid waiver authorizations, county board referrals, and direct-care workforce.
• National Mentor Holdings (The MENTOR Network): National leading provider of home- and community-based services for individuals with IDD, brain injury, and behavioral health, including ICF and waiver services. Major scaled competitor for county board contracts and waiver referrals in Ohio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/new_avenues
• YouTubeyoutube.com/results?search_query=new+avenues+to+independence
• Facebookfacebook.com/NewAvenuestoIndependence
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/new-avenues-to-independence-inc-/posts/?feedView=all
• Instagraminstagram.com/new_avenues

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about New Avenues To Independence Inc