About us

MCRI is a non-profit organization that provides residential options and support for individuals with developmental challenges in the various aspects of their progressing lives.

We are specialists in developing personalized residential choices for people with disabilities. MCRI is one of the oldest non-profit organizations in New Brunswick. For over forty years we have been at the forefront of new and innovative residential services. MCRI presently supports over a hundred and twenty-five people in various personalized residential options.

MCRI is a not-for-profit organization and we accept donations. If you wish to make a donation, please contact Melanie Martin at (506) 524-8809, or drop into our office to donate.

In 1967 a group of parents opened two homes in the Moncton area built and funded by local charities. These homes had paid “House Parents” who supported up to 8 children in each house 24/7. MCRI officially Incorporated in 1974 with a Board of Directors, and opened a third House Parent home for children in 1975. In 1978 MCRI opened the first 24 hour staffed Community Residence in N.B. funded by the government.

By 1980 plans were underway to close institutions, so not for profit organizations set up Community Residences across the province that could house both children and adults. MCRI was the leading organization in N.B. in this project, and at one time operated 15 Community Residences for adults and youth.

MCRI wanted to provide more self-sufficient and less costly living options, and lead the pathway to transition adults from Community Residences to live on their own. In 1981 the Supported Independent Living Program started, providing supports so that people could live in their own home with supports coming in to assist them. In 1985 the Peer Program opened providing supports for adults of all ages who were somewhat self-sufficient but still needed live-in help for some aspects of their lives.

Over time the Peer and House Parent programs saw a shift in thinking and launched the Associate Family Program, which was the same concept except the place of residence now belonged to those providing the care (Associate families later changed its name to Residential Associates). In the late eighties the Residential Associate Program was changed to the Alternate Family Living Arrangement (AFLA). AFLA members are welcomed as equal members of the paid family, and the natural families of members often help the paid providers with support.

Soon after, a shift in government meant reduced funding to Community Residences, and moved individuals back into institutional settings. Many not for profits could no longer operate safely, and others increased the number of residents to generate enough income, and MCRI eventually closed most of the residences.

The Supported Independent Living Program (SILP) continued to prosper over time, and now includes a 24/7 on call service, a larger variety of supports, and meets the growing interest for one to be living on his/her own, in his/her own home, while having safe structure over his/her own life. Each person has a customized service plan specifically tailored to his/her needs.

Today, we have 4 Community Residence programs supporting youth, and our AFLA and SILP Programs are actively used by Social Development and considered valued and cost-effective service options for government.

MCRI imagines a community that values equality and compassion as essential for people with exceptionalities to live their best life.

• People affected by developmental disabilities are entitled to the same opportunities as other citizens, and are entitled to the same quality of life and respect for their rights as individual citizens.
• Doing what is best for the people and the organization are top priorities.
• Providing a life that is as normal as possible, including the opportunity to interact with non-developmentally disabled people in the community, and the right to access and use the generic services in the community.
• Recognizing and developing each person’s individuality.
• That the developed services enable each individual to be challenged in order to help them learn and grow.
• That to the greatest extent possible, such individuals should have the right of choice and be empowered to make decisions with their own life.
• That families and/or advocates be involved in the decision making process.

Support Philosophies represent the attitude and philosophy used when providing people services. These concepts are based on the Mission Statement, Guiding Principle, Program Goals and relationship building strategies. The main philosophies we teach to our trained staff is through Mandt Relationship building.

Using the MANDT System, we teach concepts and techniques in building healthy relationships as the foundation of all support strategies. All supports are tailored to meet the person’s needs; therefore, we provide a wide range of evidence based approach’s that have been analyzed by research. All supports are created with the goal that everyone feels safe, in the workplace, in their home, with the surrounding support.  The main topics also include building healthy Communication, Conflict Resolution, and Trauma Informed Services.

Marianne Mepham-Newton – President
Lynne Brewer – Vice President
Chantal Landry – Secretary
Margie McFee
Ken Ross
Ron MacIssac
Beverly Gaudet

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