Our History
From 1964 to Today: Explore Our Journey Below ⇩
Allied Community Services began serving individuals with disabilities in 1964, and we’ve been growing and evolving ever since. Over six decades, we’ve evolved from a small organization into a comprehensive network of services that includes residential support, employment programs, advocacy training, a community resale enterprise, and so much more.
The timeline below traces our journey. But our real story isn’t just about expansion – it’s about learning, evolving, and our deep commitment to treating every person we serve with dignity and respect.
A Message from our President and CEO, Leigh Gallivan Mahoney
“Allied is proud to have begun its work in 1964, and equally proud that our work continues to evolve. Looking back, we recognize that the language once used to describe the people we serve is now understood to be degrading. To paraphrase Maya Angelou: We do the best we can until we know better. Once we know better, we do better.
We require language that is respectful, person-centered, and validates personal identity—and we hold ourselves to that standard every day. More than sixty years in, and we’re still learning. The work evolves, but our commitment to the individual remains true.”
“Allied is proud to have begun its work in 1964, and equally proud that our work continues to evolve. Looking back, we recognize that the language once used to describe the people we serve is now understood to be degrading. To paraphrase Maya Angelou: We do the best we can until we know better. Once we know better, we do better.
We require language that is respectful, person-centered, and validates personal identity—and we hold ourselves to that standard every day. More than sixty years in, and we’re still learning. The work evolves, but our commitment to the individual remains true.”
Slide through a timeline of our history.
1964
The Enfield Association for Retarded Children (Enfield ARC) incorporates in Enfield, CT, providing day programs for school-aged children with disabilities.
1968
Special Olympics launches nationally. Connecticut athletes participate immediately, and Allied soon becomes the Enfield affiliate, creating the Enfield Stars team.
Photo: Approximately 1,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities competed at the 1968 Special Olympics in Chicago, IL. (Source: specialolympics.org)
Photo: Approximately 1,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities competed at the 1968 Special Olympics in Chicago, IL. (Source: specialolympics.org)
1974
An Adult Work Activity Center is added to the program offerings.
1976
A Career Placement Center is added to expand vocational offerings for adults with disabilities, and as the agency’s geographic footprint grows, its name changes to Greater Enfield ARC.
1984
Programming expands to include residential services in Enfield, CT, in addition to vocational and day service offerings.
1987
A new facility opens at 3 Pearson Way in Enfield, CT, housing the agency’s day programming and vocational services, as well as administrative offices.
1998
Allied partners with Connecticut to offer fiscal intermediary services, helping people with disabilities manage and direct their own Medicaid-funded services.
2005
"Together We Can" self-advocacy training group launches to give individuals with disabilities a voice in their community and strengthen their self-advocacy skills.
2007
Allied’s Attic thrift store opens as a social enterprise, offering employment opportunities to individuals with disabilities, while serving community needs.
2026
Allied launches a redesigned website featuring streamlined navigation, improved accessibility, and enhanced tools for connecting people with services, volunteer opportunities, and ways to support the organization's mission.
Today
Allied Community Services offers a broad range of direct services to approximately 200 individuals in northern Connecticut, including residential, vocational, and day services, as well as sports and recreation opportunities, advocacy, and self-advocacy training.
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