LifeShare is a Human Services organization that is dedicated to the preservation and safeguarding of Civil and Human Rights. LifeShare works with several populations of people of all ages and abilities. LifeShare is known for its optimistic and individualized approach to providing human services. LifeShare is present throughout the East coast and is expanding every day.
LifeShare was founded in Keene, New Hampshire in 1995. Joshua Boynton, a man with a vision for change founded LifeShare with his wife Rachel in response to their frustration with the human services system. In the years prior to the birth of LifeShare, Josh and Rachel spent many years in Keene, NH as college students providing direct support to individuals affected by developmental disabilities. Over time, both Josh and Rachel began to realize that the programs that were available were not created with the people in mind.
In 1994, Josh and Rachel moved in with a man named Ron. As an infant, Ron contracted meningitis. This affected Ron's development, and contributes to Ron's autistic-like behaviors. Ron also experiences Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Josh and Rachel moved in with Ron so that they could assist him with his everyday activities, such as cooking, cleaning and creating a schedule of activities based in the community. It was not long before Josh and Rachel saw a very talented man with many gifts to offer the world. They also saw a great need for change in the system. The restrictions and stubborn nature of these traditional services motivated Josh and Rachel to find a way to meet Ron's needs. Josh created a "personalized services contract" with Ron and his team. Ron and his team were allowed to create a program based on his interests, specifically artistic expression. This new, innovate model was a success and the results exceeded all expectations of Ron's support team. With this, Josh and Rachel incorporated on a small, grassroots level and LifeShare was born.
LifeShare was soon acquiring new contracts with state designated area agencies in Central and Southern New Hampshire. Josh and Rachel built custom made day programs, they created enhanced home care for residential placements and they helped to rejuvenate many teams. Josh began teaching a course to adults with disabilities on self-determination. This class described the rights of the people we support to make decisions about their own lives. Josh soon found many teams wanting to be a part of the LifeShare dream. They too wanted individualized, progressive support services for their loved ones, centered on the vision of the team and mostly the individual. This is when LifeShare began to grow.
LifeShare has offices in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Florida. LifeShare actively develops services in all of these states as well as in Rhode Island.
LifeShare's business activities are based within Human Services. These services involve working with various state governments and private parties to assist people who need support in becoming as independent as possible. LifeShare identifies an individual in need (or a referral is made to LifeShare), LifeShare determines what type of support the person needs (i.e. cooking, cleaning, personal care, transportation, residential support, on the job assistance, etc.) and a program is developed based on that person's needs.
Most programs at LifeShare are carried out by LifeCoaches (AKA Direct Support Professionals) or Home Care / Foster Care Providers. Our LifeCoaches and Providers do amazing work. They are the ones who accompany people through their lives and help them make informed choices.
Our LifeCoaches and Home Care Providers have a window into the most private corners of people's lives, and they do not take this for granted. We treat people with the utmost dignity and respect, and as a result the relationships that we develop are strong and long lasting.
LifeShare's goal is to supplement the individual's life with the support they need, and eventually eliminate the person's need for support altogether. Programs are available to people of all abilities including children, adolescents, adults and elderly populations. LifeShare offers many types of individualized services ranging from residential, community based and in home support, foster care, behavioral health services, vocational supports, fiscal intermediary services, guardianship services and private consultation to name a few.
