Over 40 years ago, a large multi-acreage land lot in Springfield was donated to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts distinctly for the purpose of providing residences for individuals with complex developmental disabilities, offering an invaluable alternative to an institutional care facility.

The two state-owned buildings each had four bedrooms accommodating sixteen total residents, ranging from teenagers to adults, with professional staff providing 24-hour care.

project TYPE
New Construction

end use
Community Residence

population
Intellectual/Developmental Diabilities (I/DD)

Barbara's Story

When Barbara Pilarcik became Executive Director at Pathlight in 1985, it was obvious the facilities were gradually declining, and she was determined to restore the quality and integrity of the site. She knew upgrades and renovations weren’t going to do the trick, so Barbara set her sights even higher: the construction of new homes.

“We knew what the level of quality should be because we were already building to that standard with CIL on other sites for Pathlight” Barbara explained. “But the existing homes were located in a great part of Springfield, where all the staff lived and the residents have convenient access to their doctors, so we knew staying here was the best option, and we were going to fight for that.”

The new game plan involved building three new 5-bedroom homes for the current residents and relocating much of the existing staff before tearing down the two existing 8-bedroom homes. Through a number of obstacles and hurdles over the span of eight painstaking years, the deed to the land needed to expand, and the funding needed to start construction was officially Pathlight’s. Despite the journey being anything but easy, CIL was there every step of the way, helping ensure all the moving parts involved never skipped a beat.

By September 2021, construction of the three homes were completed. Each resident enjoys having his or her own room, decorated to reflect personal tastes. And the common spaces are perfect for hosting arts and crafts, movie nights, and activities to celebrate different holidays.

“A lot of the residents came into these homes as teens in the 70s [and] it has really been a long time coming for them, and they were so excited. Once we started moving everyone in, there was a bit of a transition period for the residents who had been living together for over 20 years. They were set in their ways and had to relearn some of their usual routines, but they all adjusted so well, and their families are thrilled. These homes are truly built for their loved ones, and they absolutely deserve this.”
— Ruth Banta  |  Former Executive Director (Retired)

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