Our Mission

Re-Focus, Inc. is a non-profit human service agency which serves adults with differing physical and developmental needs. We are an organization of dedicated people offering opportunities for growth in a loving, trusting, and challenging environment. We value and encourage the enhancement of the whole person, each with unique talents and strengths. We also value the right of using these gifts to make informed life choices.

Our Beginnings

In September 1972, we opened St. Charles Residence, which was one of the first group homes in the state of Rhode Island and The Way Apartment Program. The original concept behind St. Charles was to provide parents of adult children with developmental disabilities an alternative to Ladd School. As the need for services increased, we went through a rebirth and a name change from St. Charles Residence, to Re-Focus, Inc. Over the years Re-Focus, Inc. has expanded its services and now supports over 100 individuals with developmental disabilities in fourteen (14) group homes and a variety of supportive living programs within the state. We provide services that extend from 10 hours a week up to 24 hours a day, depending on whether the people live in a group home, their own home or with their families. Services are strategically individualized and geared to the needs and desires of the person receiving the support.

What distinguishes Re-Focus, Inc. from other agencies is...

• A deep sense of care and commitment to the folks and staff / family
• Supporting people to have a choice in determining their lives
• Empowering staff to be a part of the decision making process with administration
• Supporting each other to achieve our personal best
• Truly living our mission statement
• Across the board, we are one of the most diverse agencies in all of Rhode Island
• We Practice the Fish Philosophy, which is a leadership initiative that extols the virtues of Being Present: Make their Day, Have Fun, and Choose Your Attitude

Life at Re-Focus Group Homes

Re-Focus, Inc. has grown from a single group home in 1972 to 14 group homes in 2006, and the agency plans to expand. To create a warm, cozy atmosphere, all of the group homes blend seamlessly into their communities; there is no way to tell Re-Focus' group homes from any other homes on the street.

Each home's residents live a full life. They participate in fun weekly activities like art lessons and swim classes, perform daily chores, and sit down for regular family meals. All of this is possible with the help of a staff that provides nurturing care, in some cases around the clock. Each group home houses either men or women or a combination of both.

The services Re-Focus supplies are strategically individualized and geared to the needs and desires of each and every person.