Our History
Founded in 1952 by five mothers of young children with developmental disabilities, Pathlight was the first organization in Hampden County dedicated to serving individuals with intellectual disabilities.
These women shared a dream that their children would live and grow as valued members of their communities, despite the fact that this vision challenged prevalent societal expectations that people with developmental disabilities were best separated from their families and placed in institutions.
Together, these mothers and their families joined forces in western Massachusetts and beyond to create a movement designed to create opportunities, build relationships, and improve lives of those with developmental disabilities. They recruited friends, neighbors, local businesses, and community organizations to help. They were joined by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Springfield Druggists Association, Holy Name Social Center, Lodge of Elks, Springfield Fire Fighters’ Union, local banks, school superintendents, legislators, and Community United Way, to name just a few.
Check out the video and timeline below to learn more about our history.
Pathlight Expanded Rapidly
The founders and their growing organization pioneered new services, such as the first nursery schools for children with developmental disabilities and the first language development programs in Springfield and Westfield. In West Springfield, they started the first privately run developmental school in Massachusetts. Later, as a result of an exposé of conditions at Belchertown State School and threats of legal action, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts recognized a need to take action. State officials approached Pathlight in 1971 about creating services in the community for people who would shortly be deinstitutionalized. The Board of Directors responded by creating the first group home for people with developmental disabilities in Massachusetts.
Family, Friends, Neighbors & Colleagues
Now, more than seventy years later, Pathlight serves all of western Massachusetts and northern Worcester County. We do this by providing for the evolving needs of those in our community with developmental and intellectual disabilities throughout their lives. Whether enrichment and skill-building classes or educational advocacy, employment support or the creation of a home, Pathlight seeks always to help each individual realize their fullest potential.
Pathlight is a private non-profit community organization that supports children, teens, and adults with developmental disabilities and their families. It is directed by a volunteer board of family members of individuals with developmental disabilities and community members.
Timeline
1952
INCEPTION
Pathlight is the first organization in Hampden County founded with a mission to support people with developmental disabilities and their families.
1956
SCHOOLS
Pathlight establishes the first nursery school for developmentally disabled children at Grace Episcopal Church Parish House in Chicopee.
Many educational programs are created during this timeframe, including the first developmental day school in western Massachusetts.
1970
BELCHERTOWN STATE EXPOSE
Executive Director Charles Veith accompanies Springfield newspaper reporter Jim Shanks to expose horrendous conditions at Belchertown State School.
1971
COMMUNITY LIVING
Pathlight establishes residential services by creating the first community residence in Massachusetts.
1974
FAMILY-BASED LIVING
Pathlight creates the first program in Massachusetts to provide long-term specialized foster care families for those with developmental disabilities.
1979
INTENSIVE RESIDENTIAL SERVICES
The first small, community-based intermediate care facility in Massachusetts is created for people with developmental disabilities.
1987
FAMILY SUPPORTS
Pathlight expands services to include programs that do “whatever it takes to strengthen the whole family.”
1989
AUTISM CONNECTIONS
Previously called Community Resources for People with Autism, Pathlight established Autism Connections as a parent-found program for children with autism. This was the first autism resource center funded by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
1994
FAMILY EMPOWERMENT
Family Empowerment, a family program that supports individuals with special needs and their families, joins Pathlight.
2002
EMPLOYMENT SUPPORTS
The Employment Supports division was established to ensure that individuals with developmental disabilities can contribute to the world in which they live.
2010
WHOLE CHILDREN
Whole Children merges with Pathlight to further expand family support services.
2013
MILESTONES
Milestones is founded to continue providing expanded family support services to transition age children and adults.
2014
WHOLE CHILDREN MOVES
Whole Children moves to 41 Russell Street, Hadley, MA.
2016
PATHLIGHT
Association for Community Living changes its name to Pathlight, partners with Valley Venture Mentors.
Community Resources for People with Autism becomes Autism Connections.
Ruth Banta named Executive Director of Pathlight.
2017
LET’S DANCE!
Pathlight hosts the first Let’s Dance! Our signature fundraising event.
2018
WHOLE SELVES
Whole Selves, an evidence-informed, healthy relationships curriculum designed for students with intellectual disabilities and autism, is established.
2019
CARF ACCREDITATION
Pathlight receives three-year accreditation for its adult family care programs from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities International. Adult Family Care pays family and non-family caregivers for their care of eligible adults with physical cognitive or medical disabilities.
2021
PATHLIGHT
Family Empowerment support center opens in Greenfield.
Plumtree Residential Homes are built in Springfield.
2022
INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY CENTER MOVES
The Inclusive Community Center (home to Whole Children + Milestones, Whole Selves, Autism Connections and Family Empowerment) moves from Hadley to 11 Village Hill Rd. in Northampton.
John Roberson begins as new Executive Director.
2023
NEWS
Keith Kendall begins as Interim Executive Director.