History

Rivershore began, as many similar agencies did, as a response to the unmet needs of people living with developmental disabilities in our community. Unlike many similar agencies, the founders of Rivershore were not primarily parents and siblings of people living with developmental disabilities, but included many concerned citizens who chose to respond to the needs of their fellow neighbors.

In 1979, people living in Lewiston and Youngstown received calls from the New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD) asking if they would be willing to assume oversight of a group residence for people living with developmental disabilities. The home, known as Tranquility Acres was situated on the shore of the Niagara River in Youngstown. Local citizens did assume oversight of the facility and in 1980, Rivershore, Inc. was born. For a few years Rivershore took root at this original site. In 1983 Rivershore moved to a more suitable home about one mile south on Lower River Road, also on the shore of the Niagara River. Rivershore added a second residence in 1988 in the town of Cambria, and since then Rivershore has gradually grown. Rivershore has from the beginning consciously expanded at a pace that has maintained our personal approach to the people we serve. Today Rivershore supports 12 OMRDD funded residences, and serves many more people in their private homes throughout Niagara County. In addition to residentially oriented services, Rivershore provides life planning services, clinical services, and support with employment and volunteer pursuits.

In October of 2002, Rivershore was named a COMPASS agency by OMRDD, making Rivershore one of just seven COMPASS agencies state-wide. With over 750 private not-for-profit agencies providing services for people living with developmental disabilities throughout New York State, Rivershore is ranked in the top 1%.

The COMPASS program was initiated by OMRDD in 1996 to recognize and promote organizations that achieve the highest levels of excellence in quality management practices and consistently deliver outstanding services. COMPASS is focused on quality outcomes achieved within an agency through internal rather than external review, and recognizes agencies that stress empowerment, satisfaction, and involvement of people who are served by the agency in its leadership and strategic planning. In 2002 OMRDD commissioner Thomas Maul said, “Agencies like Rivershore are part of what makes New York State a national leader in providing quality supports and services to people with developmental disabilities.” Rivershore is proud to be a COMPASS agency.