Better Community Living

What Better Community Living does

Better Community Living, Inc. (BCL) is a Massachusetts-incorporated 501(c)(3) not-for-profit human services agency founded in 1988 by Thomas C. Riley. Headquartered at 5 Ventura Drive in Dartmouth with program offices in New Bedford and a Family Support Center in Fairhaven, BCL provides person-centered services to adults and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism in the Greater New Bedford area. The agency operates a portfolio of programs including 24-hour Residential Living (21 community-based homes with maximum occupancy of four individuals, predominantly two-person homes), Shared Living with contracted providers, Supported Employment via the New Bedford Chamber of Commerce Network, Community Based Day Supports, Individual Supports, Individual In-Home Supports, Agency with Choice, Children's Services for ages 3–22, the Family Support Center, Bridges to Faith, and Positive Behavior Support (PBS) services. Monthly Access Dances (running ~25 years) and Friendship Dinners complement the core service portfolio as community integration vehicles.

BCL's revenue model is anchored by Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services (DDS) contracts, supplemented by DESE funding for children's programs, Shared Living provider stipends (publicly disclosed at $27,780–$30,095 annually), and tax-deductible donations/fundraising events. Services are accessed through DDS eligibility determination, making the state government the de facto payor. The agency's clinical framework is built on Positive Behavior Support methodology implemented at Universal, Targeted, and Intensive tiers. BCL has no disclosed technology platform, software product, or AI/ML capabilities; service delivery is in-person, labor-intensive, and reliant on its 200+ trained staff across clinical, residential, supported employment, and family support functions.

The organization has grown steadily from 8 employees and one home in 1988 to 200+ staff serving 100+ individuals, with leadership transitioning from founder Thomas C. Riley to a new Executive Director (subsequently Tracey Cordeiro as CEO) around 2018. Geographic focus remains the Greater New Bedford area in Southeastern Massachusetts, with no disclosed expansion into adjacent regions. Operations are governed by a Board of Directors including a Chair, Vice Chair, Finance Committee Chair, and Clerk, with no parent company, private equity involvement, or disclosed M&A activity.

Name

Better Community Living

Legal name

Better Community Living, Inc.

Website

https://bettercommunity.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Better Community Living is a Massachusetts not-for-profit human services agency that provides person-centered residential, day, employment, and family support programs to adults and children with developmental disabilities across 21 homes in the Greater New Bedford area.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Human Services for Developmental Disabilities

NAICS

Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (623210), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (62321)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Special Needs Adult Day Programs (Developmental/Physical Disabilities, Seniors) (HLADAIAI)

Keywords

• Disability support services
• Residential care services
• Supported employment programs
• Community based day services
• Developmental disability care

Headquarters

HQ city

Dartmouth

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Contracts (DDS/DESE): Primary revenue from Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services (DDS) contracts and DESE/DDS funding for children's programs. Services are funded subject to annual legislative appropriations.
2. Donations and Fundraising: Tax-deductible donations and fundraising events including annual Golf Tournaments, Poker Runs, and Wine & Food events. Major fundraiser raised $14,000+ annually.
3. Shared Living Stipends: Shared Living Providers receive monthly stipends ranging from $27,780 to $30,095 annually, which are tax-free as allowable by law. Providers are independent contractors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Better Community Living (BCL) is a not-for-profit human services agency that provides person-centered residential, day, employment, and family support programs to adults and children with developmental disabilities and autism. It operates 21 community-based homes, day habilitation programs, supported employment, shared living, family support, and children's services in the Greater New Bedford Area of Massachusetts, funded primarily through Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services (DDS) and DESE contracts.

Product overview

Better Community Living (BCL) is a not-for-profit human services agency that provides a comprehensive portfolio of programs and services for adults and children with developmental disabilities and autism in the Greater New Bedford Area. Rather than a unified technology product, BCL offers multiple service programs including Residential Living (with 19+ community-based homes), Shared Living, Supported Employment (through the Chamber of Commerce Network), Individual Supports, Community Based Day Supports (CBDS), Children's Services (ages 3-22), Family Support Center, Bridges to Faith, Agency with Choice, Individual In-Home Supports, and Positive Behavior Support programs. Additional offerings include Access Dances and Monthly Friendship Dinners for social integration. The organization was founded in 1988 and serves the Greater New Bedford area of Massachusetts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Residential Living 24-hour residential supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in settings ranging from single-person apartments to group homes serving two, three, or four people.
• Shared Living Program where Shared Living Providers open their homes to BCL consumers, supporting daily living skills and helping individuals fulfill personal goals while being integrated into family life.
• Individual Supports Instructional and training supports for adults living independently or with family, including assistance with shopping, household chores, medical needs, dietary needs, banking, and recreational needs.
• Individual In-Home Supports (IHS) Services where staff work with individuals on daily living skills to increase independence, focusing on household tasks, personal care, cooking skills, money management, interpersonal relationships, and community integration.
• Agency with Choice (AWC) Support model where individuals partner with BCL to share responsibility of selecting support staff and directing day-to-day activities, with budget allocation for purchasing services.

Quantifiable outcome

• 19 community-based homes serving 45-50 individuals with high quality of life improvements
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Douglas Wine & SpiritsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 19 October 2017Event sponsor for the 11th Annual Sweet Temptations Wine & Food fundraising event.
• Nopper MarineminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 9 September 2017Primary sponsor and organizer of the Annual Poker Run boat race fundraiser benefiting BCL's Children's Services. Raised $13,000 in 2017.
• Earl's MarinaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 9 September 2017Venue host and contributing sponsor for the Annual Poker Run boat race, providing registration location and race route stops.
• Down the HatchminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 9 September 2017Contributing sponsor and venue for post-race dinner, live music, and awards ceremony following the Poker Run.
• Ruderman FoundationminorOthers · 26 June 2017Bridges to Faith Coordinator Heather Dextradeur was honored to speak at the Ruderman Foundation interfaith meeting at Northeastern University, educating attendees about faith-based social inclusion resources.
• New Bedford Area Chamber of CommercecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBCL collaborates with the New Bedford Chamber of Commerce through their Supported Employment Network program for over 30 years. The program assists job seekers with disabilities in finding employment and educates the business community on the benefits of hiring persons with disabilities.
• The Arc of Bristol CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBCL collaborates with the Arc of Bristol County on the Children's Recreation Program, focusing on social skills development and friendship building for children with disabilities ages 3-26.
• Seaport Inn & MarinaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSince 2009, Bob Contreras and staff have generously donated the Grand Ballroom and provided dinner for 125+ people for BCL's Annual Holiday Dinner and Dance. Also provide emergency shelter accommodations when needed.
• North Baptist ChurchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew partnership under Bridges to Faith program for faith-based inclusion of persons with disabilities.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Vinfen: One of Massachusetts' largest human services nonprofits delivering residential, clinical, and community-based supports to people with developmental disabilities, mental health conditions, and brain injuries. Direct comparable in service portfolio and government-funded revenue model.
• ServiceNet: Western Massachusetts human services nonprofit providing residential, employment, and clinical supports for individuals with developmental disabilities, mental health, and brain injury. Comparable in service portfolio, nonprofit structure, and DDS-funded model.
• Bay Cove Human Services: Massachusetts nonprofit providing residential, day habilitation, employment, and behavioral health services to individuals with developmental disabilities and other challenges. Comparable DDS-contracted service mix with broader geographic reach than BCL.
• Sevita Health (formerly The MENTOR Network): National provider of home and community-based services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including residential and day programs. Same service model as BCL at vastly larger national scale — a key strategic threat if it expands deeper into Massachusetts.
• The Arc of Massachusetts: Statewide advocacy and service organization for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including family support, recreation, and residential programs. Comparable mission and consumer base, with an added policy/advocacy function.
• Seven Hills Foundation: Massachusetts-based nonprofit providing residential, day, employment, and family supports to individuals with developmental disabilities and brain injury. Closely comparable geographic footprint, service mix, and DDS-contracted model to BCL, but at significantly larger scale.
• Advocates, Inc. Massachusetts-based human services organization serving people with developmental disabilities, mental health conditions, and acquired brain injury through residential, day, and clinical programs. Direct comparable in service model and government contract mix.
• Open Sky Community Services: Central and Western Massachusetts human services nonprofit offering residential, day, employment, and behavioral health supports for individuals with developmental disabilities and mental health needs. Comparable service portfolio with larger geographic footprint.
• Riverside Community Care: Massachusetts-based nonprofit providing residential, clinical, and community-based services for individuals with developmental disabilities and behavioral health needs. Comparable in person-centered service approach and government-funded revenue model.
• LifeBridge: Massachusetts-based provider of residential, day, and family supports to individuals with developmental disabilities, including autism services. Closely aligned service mix and small-household residential model to BCL.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/bclfamilysupport
• Xx.com/bcl_since1988

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 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 Better Community Living