Branching out
An inclusive Community
Rooted in community, growing together, Branching Tree is committed to providing inclusive housing and meaningful daily experiences for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Massachusetts. We foster independence, dignity, and well-being. We empower individuals to lead fulfilling lives through strong community connections and a true sense of belonging.
Learn more about Branching Tree and the inclusive community that we’re creating, starting first with what we value and why we’re creating it. Reach out to us if you would like to get more involved.
Values at heart
Belonging over placement
Branching Tree community is committed to creating a true sense of community, not simply filling a service slot or offering a room. Each person is known, valued, and missed when they're not there. They are a part of the setting.
Daily rhythms prioritize connection, with shared meals and welcoming common spaces. Relationships are nurtured beyond the service system, creating a full and diverse social circle, and ensuring decisions are made with individuals, not just for them.
Person-centered supports
Supports are designed with and around each individual, honoring unique preferences, strengths, dreams, and needs. Every person actively shapes their own life and services at Branching Tree community.
Meaningful relationships
Relationships are essential to well-being, joy, and community life. We cultivate deep, reciprocal friendships within and outside of our community that enrich every day.
Interdependence
We believe everyone thrives from mutual support and shared community life, creating Interdependence within our community.
Shared leadership and decision-making
Families, self-advocates, and allies co-create this vision and its future. People with disabilities and their families hold real voice and power in shaping the community through shared decision-making.
Respect for the whole person
We honor each individual’s gifts, passions, history, and hopes, seeing the whole person beyond a diagnosis.
Sustainability and stewardship
We care for our resources, land, and relationships with intention and love.
Why Branching Tree?
We’re creating Branching Tree because we believe in belonging over placement. Across Massachusetts, there’s a housing crisis for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Not nearly enough housing options are rooted in connection, choice, and community. Families often wait years for placements, only to find that availability is prioritized over individuality, and routine is prioritized over relationships.
Branching Tree is a small, inclusive person-centered community where adults with and without disabilities live, grow, and thrive together. Our housing models combines a shared living philosophy with group home supports and self-directed choices. We’re not just creating housing, we’re cultivating a home environment with connection, choice, and contribution. At Branching Tree, we believe that every person deserves more than just a placement, they deserve belonging.
Events & Activities
NEW Information Meeting October 23, 2025 at 7 PM
Join us for an update on Branching Tree’s progress and participate in a Q&A session to learn more about our community model and how you can become involved. We’ll engage in an interactive discussion to address your questions, consider your ideas and suggestions, and present our plans and next steps.