Toward Independent Living and Learning

What Toward Independent Living and Learning does

Toward Independent Living and Learning, Inc. (TILL) is a Massachusetts-based not-for-profit human service agency founded in 1980 by Dafna Krouk-Gordon to deliver community-based residential, day, vocational, clinical, and support services for individuals with developmental disabilities, autism, acquired brain injury, learning differences, and high medical needs. The organization serves clients across Eastern Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire through 68 residential group homes, four CARF-accredited Day Habilitation programs (Billerica, Chelsea, Hudson, Watertown), Strattus Mental Health Services (a licensed outpatient clinic in Dedham), behavioral health services, and individualized in-home supports. The service portfolio also includes dedicated programs for high-functioning autism, including Springboard Social Club, TILL Farms, Education Through Travel, and the TILL Wave Art Gallery.

TILL generates revenue through a mix of government contracts (Massachusetts DDS, MRC, MCB, DMH, MassAbility, MassHealth), private-pay arrangements (Shared Living, Creative Living Options, Individualized Supports, Springboard membership dues at $960/year), and revenue-generating vocational enterprises. The latter includes Essence of Thyme and Cravings (ETC), a commercial food service operating two commercial kitchens in Hyde Park, MA and Nashua, NH that prepares roughly 800,000 meals annually for partner schools while serving as a vocational training site, plus TILL Farms, the Wave Art Gallery retail location, and a new TILL Shops e-commerce storefront. Underlying technology consists of standard clinical/administrative tooling (HCSIS and DPPC reporting, electronic health records, the GreenEmployee HR portal, PCI-validated payment processing, and an asynchronous remote learning system for the TILL Pathways workforce-development program in partnership with Bay Path University). No proprietary software product or AI/ML capabilities are disclosed.

Customer acquisition is principally sales-led and referral-driven, with state agencies and healthcare providers as the dominant bottom-of-funnel channels; the agency supplements this with direct family outreach via online service-request forms, the TILLegram newsletter, social media, and community events (TILL Games, gallery exhibits, the annual 45th anniversary celebration referenced in 2025). The organization operates wholly-owned subsidiaries including ETC Food Service, TILL Farms, TILL Wave Art Gallery, Springboard Social Club, Strattus Mental Health Services, and RewardingWork.org, the latter a statewide caregiver directory offered free to MA DDS participants.

Name

Toward Independent Living and Learning

Legal name

Toward Independent Living and Learning, Inc.

Website

https://tillinc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Toward Independent Living and Learning (TILL) is a Massachusetts-based nonprofit human service agency founded in 1980 that provides residential, day, vocational, mental health, and social services to individuals with developmental disabilities, autism, and acquired brain injury across Eastern Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability and Human Services

NAICS

Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (623210), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (62321), Individual and Family Services (6241), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050), 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 (BPAGAEAG), Housing Transition & Supported Living Navigation (EDAKANAK), Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG)

Keywords

• Disability support services
• Residential group homes
• Vocational training programs
• Outpatient mental health
• Community-based habilitation

Headquarters

HQ city

Dedham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government/Funded Services: TILL generates primary revenue through contracts with public agencies including Department of Developmental Services (DDS), MassAbility, Mass. Rehabilitation Commission (MRC), Mass. Commission for the Blind (MCB), Department of Mental Health (DMH), and MassHealth. Services include residential, day habilitation, vocational, and mental health services funded through these government arrangements.
2. Vocational Training Enterprises: ETC Food Service (Essence of Thyme and Cravings) operates commercial kitchens preparing and delivering nearly 800,000 meals annually to schools, while providing vocational training to individuals with disabilities in food service and retail. Revenue generated through school meal contracts.
3. Private Pay Services: Some services funded through private arrangements including Shared Living, Creative Living Options, Individualized Supports, and Springboard Social Club membership dues.
4. Educational Products: TILL publishes 'Moving Out' book - a guide for families navigating adult residential services. Sold at $45.90 per book including shipping.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels10 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Toward Independent Living and Learning (TILL) is a not-for-profit human service agency that delivers community-based residential, day habilitation, vocational, clinical, and support services to individuals with developmental disabilities, autism, acquired brain injury, and learning differences. The agency operates an integrated ecosystem spanning 68 residential homes, CARF-accredited day programs, an entrepreneurial food service enterprise (ETC), farm-based vocational training, an outpatient mental health clinic (Strattus), and social/recreational programs including an art gallery, social club, and travel program, primarily across Eastern Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire.

Product overview

Toward Independent Living and Learning (TILL) is a not-for-profit human service agency established in 1980 providing community-based residential, day, vocational, clinical, and support services to people with developmental disabilities, autism, and acquired brain injury across Eastern Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire. The organization's service portfolio is organized around several core offerings: Residential Services (group homes, shared living, creative living options, and micro-apartments); Day Habilitation Programs (CARF-accredited programs including TILL Central, Autism Initiative, and the mobile TILL On The Go); Vocational Training (customized employment services and training within entrepreneurial café/catering businesses — Essence of Thyme and Cravings Food Service, plus TILL Farms); Strattus Mental Health Services (licensed outpatient clinic offering therapy, psychiatric care, and competency evaluations); Behavioral Supports (In-Home Behavioral Services via MassHealth); Respite and Individualized Supports; and Social/Community programs including the TILL Wave Art Gallery, Springboard Social Club, Education Through Travel, and Community Connections. The portfolio functions as a coordinated ecosystem where individuals can access multiple services — from residential housing through vocational training and social enrichment — under one organization.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Residential Services A range of housing options including group residences with 24/7 staffing, shared living with trained care providers, creative living options with companion support, ABI/MFP Waiver residential services, and individualized in-home supports for adults with developmental disabilities, acquired brain injury, and autism.
• Day Habilitation Programs CARF-accredited person-centered day programs with physical, occupational, and speech therapy coordination, located in Billerica, Chelsea, Hudson, and Watertown, serving people with high medical needs and those requiring assistance with activities of daily living. Includes the TILL Central Community-Based Day Support model, the Autism Initiative Program, and the TILL On The Go mobile community-based program.
• Vocational Training and Supported Employment Customized employment, training, job placement, and coaching services delivered under contract with the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC), including job matching, resume and interview preparation, on-the-job coaching, and pre-vocational/community-based day supports.
• Essence of Thyme & Cravings (ETC) Food Service Commercial food service and vocational training business operating licensed kitchens in Hyde Park, MA and Nashua, NH, providing food service, customer service, cashiering, stocking, and retail skills training while delivering breakfasts, lunches, and snacks compliant with CACFP or NSLP guidelines to schools, daycare, and senior centers.
• TILL Farms A full-year, farm-based vocational training program in Westboro, MA for people on the autism spectrum or with other specialized needs, offering gardening, woodworking, craftsmanship, greenhouse work, and animal care in a therapeutic natural setting.
• Strattus Mental Health Services A fully licensed outpatient mental health clinic in Dedham, MA providing individual, couples, and family therapy; psychiatric consultation; medication management; competency and guardianship evaluations; and 24-hour emergency phone coverage, accepting MassHealth and most private insurance.
• In-Home Behavioral Services (IHBS) A parent-training model funded through MassHealth under the Children's Behavioral Health Initiative (CBHI) that provides hands-on training and support to families to manage behavior challenges while teaching children self-control, coping strategies, and interpersonal skills.
• Respite Services Emergency and planned respite care including the Chelsea Respite Center (DDS-referred), the Woodland Guest House in Lexington for short-term planned respite operated with Central Middlesex and Merrimack Valley DDS Area offices, and Chelsea Micro-Apartments for transitional supported living with 4 micro-unit apartments for adults with autism and learning differences.
• Individualized Supports Services enabling individuals to remain in their own living arrangements and develop independent living skills, including individualized coaching, life skills training, self-determination education, transition training, shared living arrangements, and micro-apartment transitional housing.
• TILL Wave Art Gallery An inclusive art gallery in Watertown, MA at 264 Arlington Street open to the public, showcasing artists of all abilities through juried exhibits, workshops, and events under 'Art for All and Art by All' programming.
• Springboard Social Club A membership social club for teens and adults with high-functioning autism, learning differences, and other social support needs offering small group activities, specialty clubs (Art, Cooking, Sports, Theatre, Travel, Craft, Music), and the Spring Forward Mix and Match events program at $960/year or $80/month.
• Education Through Travel (ETT) A travel program offering people with learning differences and autism the opportunity to develop interpersonal and social skills through pre-planned, curriculum-based international and domestic travel experiences accompanied by a pre-travel preparation program.
• Community Connections A dedicated department coordinating community involvement through volunteering, sports and recreation (including the annual TILL Games), and social activities to maximize community engagement and expand social connections for program participants.
• RewardingWork.org Self-Directed Services A statewide caregiver directory and job board affiliated with TILL that helps individuals and families self-direct their care by connecting with qualified caregivers, offered free to MA DDS participants via DDSconnect code.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 800,000 meals prepared and delivered annually
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments10 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bay Path UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Partnership for TILL Pathways - an innovative training program where Bay Path University provides 3 free college credits. TILL pays participants $4,200 upon course completion plus $1,200+ college credits. The program consists of 14 weekly remote sessions of instruction about providing direct support to individuals with intellectual disabilities, acquired brain injury and autism.
• Urban Youth Collaborative (MA DDS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026TILL offers paid summer internships to teens and young adults (ages 18-24) through a partnership with the Urban Youth Collaborative, an initiative of the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services (MA DDS). The program's goal is to introduce young adults to career paths in human services.
• Central Middlesex and Merrimack Valley DDS Area OfficescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Woodland Guest House - TILL operates the Lexington respite home in partnership with Central Middlesex and Merrimack Valley DDS Area offices, providing short-term planned respite for adults with disabilities.
• Massachusetts College of Art and DesignminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Wave Gallery exhibit 'Release Into Light' - collaborated with MassArt students Dominique De Avila and Evan Bouvier to feature interactive art and music performances.
• Museum of Fine Arts, BostonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpringboard Art Club has partnered with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Members receive private tours with a museum guide assigned exclusively to Springboard members, exploring from ancient art to contemporary works. Limited to 10 members.
• Whole FoodsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpringboard Cooking Club partners with Whole Foods. Members learn cooking basics and kitchen skills during 5-week classes with WholeFoods department managers, learning to select fresh nutritious food.
• Watertown Art AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for TILL Wave Gallery - collaborated with Watertown Art Association on exhibits including 'Spring 2026 Exhibit: Seize the Moment' and 'Art with Heart'. The Wave Gallery is committed to building inclusive community through art.
• MA DDS Metro Region Cultural Diversity CommitteeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for summer 2025 Wave Gallery exhibit 'Expressions of Freedom' that showcased work of more than 45 artists, promoting cultural diversity in the arts.
• Massachusetts Pollinator NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for TILL Farms 'New England Pollinators' exhibit at Wave Gallery, highlighting environmental education and sustainable farming practices.
• Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services (MA DDS)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRewardingWork.org, an affiliate of TILL, partners with MA DDS to provide free subscriptions to individuals and families receiving DDS supports. DDSconnect code enables free access to the statewide caregiver directory and job board.
• Department of Developmental Services (DDS)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTILL is a licensed provider of Residential and Individual Home Supports including Residential Services, ABI-MFP Residential Services, Placement Services, Respite Services, and Individual Home Supports through DDS.
• MassAbilitycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTILL contracts with MassAbility for vocational rehabilitation, community living, and eligibility determination services for individuals with disabilities.
• Mass. Rehabilitation Commission (MRC)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTILL provides customized employment, training, job placement and coaching through MRC contracts. Vocational referrals come from MRC dependent on eligibility and funding.
• Department of Mental Health (DMH)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTILL provides mental health services and supports to individuals and families in various stages of clinical treatment, rehabilitation, and recovery from serious mental illness under DMH contracts.
• Mass. Commission for the Blind (MCB)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTILL contracts with MCB to provide rehabilitation and social services for people who are legally blind and qualifying individuals with low vision.
• Maynard Fine Arts TheatreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTILL On the Go program partners with Maynard Fine Arts Theatre for vocational skill development through real-world experience in performing arts.
• Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human ServicesminorOthersTILL references and connects families to the Executive Office of Health and Human Services which comprises 12 state agencies including DDS, DMH, MRC, MCB, and MassHealth.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• May Institute: Massachusetts-based nonprofit serving children and adults with autism, developmental disabilities, and behavioral challenges across residential, day, educational, and clinical programs. Direct comparable in autism-specific day programming and CARF-accredited service delivery.
• Vinfen: Massachusetts-based nonprofit providing residential, community, and clinical services for people with intellectual/developmental disabilities, mental health conditions, and brain injuries. Closely comparable to TILL in service breadth, state contracting approach, and Eastern Massachusetts footprint.
• The Arc of Massachusetts: Massachusetts chapter of the national Arc network, providing advocacy, family support, and direct services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Comparable in mission focus and DDS-licensed service delivery, though more advocacy-weighted than TILL.
• Bay Cove Human Services: Boston-area nonprofit providing residential, day, vocational, and clinical services to individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities and mental health needs. One of the largest human services agencies in Massachusetts, directly comparable to TILL's continuum of care and state contracting model.
• Justice Resource Institute (JRI): Massachusetts-based nonprofit providing residential, educational, behavioral health, and developmental services across the lifespan. Comparable continuum-of-care model and multi-state agency contracting, though broader in scope to include child welfare and juvenile justice.
• Seven Hills Foundation: Massachusetts-based nonprofit offering residential, day, vocational, behavioral health, and family support services for individuals with disabilities. Operates a similarly integrated continuum across residential homes, day programs, and clinical services, with comparable revenue scale and state agency relationships.
• Riverside Community Care: Massachusetts-based nonprofit delivering mental health, developmental services, and substance use treatment across outpatient, residential, and community-based settings. Comparable in operating licensed outpatient mental health clinics (similar to TILL's Strattus) and DDS/DMH contracting.
• Advocates (formerly Advocates for Human Potential): Massachusetts-based nonprofit supporting individuals with developmental disabilities, mental health conditions, and brain injuries through residential, day, and clinical programs. Comparable in person-centered service model and Eastern Massachusetts operational footprint.

Regional players

• Northeast Arc: Massachusetts-based nonprofit serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across the North Shore and Cape Ann region. Comparable in residential, day, and family support service model but operates in a non-overlapping geography from TILL.
• Cardinal Cushing Centers: Massachusetts-based nonprofit serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through residential, day habilitation, vocational, and arts programs. Comparable in mission and program mix (including arts-based vocational training similar to TILL Wave Gallery), operating on the South Shore.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/tillinc
• Xx.com/tillinc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/till-inc

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries8 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 Toward Independent Living and Learning