Community Living Association

Community Living Association 18 Military Street, Houlton, Maine 04730
(207) 532-9446 A BRIEF HISTORY...

CLA has a long history in the Houlton Community.

In 1967 a small group of educators and parents of people with developmental disabilities organized a training program in a church basement, funded with money raised in the community. Initially, this private, non-profit organization was incorporated as the Southern Aroostook Association for Retarded Children (SAARC). In the mid-1970’s the New Horizons Preschool was opened. The group changed its nam

e to the Southern Aroostook Association for Retarded Citizens to reflect the emphasis on services for all people, regardless of age. The Houlton Residential Center (HRC) was established in 1977. This nursing care facility provided a home for 35 individuals with mental retardation. As SAARC entered the 1980’s a nationwide change in philosophy recognized that individuals with disabilities deserve to live in small home-like environments in their local communities, rather than large, isolated institutions. HRC began the process of downsizing. The Park Street and High Street Homes were opened in order to offer people smaller homes. Years of planning led to the closure of HRC in 1991. The HRC residents were moved into two new nursing facilities and another small home on Fifth Street. At this time SAARC changed its name to Community Living Association to express the goal of supporting individuals who live and work in the community. Since 1991 CLA has opened waiver (adult foster care) homes on Bangor Road, Green Street, Ruth Road and 2 on Joseph Street in order to continue working toward the goal of allowing people to live in small, comfortable homes. While the residential services were expanded and changed throughout the years, the day program and work programs were also being transformed. In the 1970’s these programs were housed in the Old Longfellow School building. However, the old building had many problems and in 1989 the new Roger Randall Center for Developmental Services was built alongside the old school building. Today people from CLA’s residences, people from their family homes in the community and people from independently operated adult foster homes meet at Roger Randall Center to receive training and supported employment services. Other work and training programs have evolved in the 1980’s and 1990’s. Since 1967 CLA has grown from a small nonprofit group employing one person to the second largest employer in the town of Houlton. The number of people with developmental disabilities served by the association has also grown. Although CLA’s fundamental mission has always been to provide services to people with developmental disabilities, it’s mission statement today has a special focus on community inclusion.

Thanks for dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings CLA ! What better way to end the day than to share a meal with friends and talk...
08/15/2025

Thanks for dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings CLA ! What better way to end the day than to share a meal with friends and talk about the amazing time had by all at the game. And, the food was delicious! ⚾️🇺🇸🍴

Great day at the Sea Dogs with the awesome people from CLA.
08/15/2025

Great day at the Sea Dogs with the awesome people from CLA.

It was a great day for a ballgame. Everyone had a blast !!! Seadogs played their hearts out and we beat the rain ! Win W...
08/14/2025

It was a great day for a ballgame. Everyone had a blast !!! Seadogs played their hearts out and we beat the rain ! Win Win !!! ⚾️

Shout out to all the CLA players who made it happen. Super early start and the res team pulled it off while community supports made sure everyone had fun and stayed cool and hydrated. 👍🌞

Best Teams Ever !!!! ✌️

CLA’s Harmony home lost our dear friend Mikey Flanagan this week. Mikey has been reunited with his brother, George, who...
08/07/2025

CLA’s Harmony home lost our dear friend Mikey Flanagan this week.

Mikey has been reunited with his brother, George, who, no doubt, was waiting for him at Heaven’s Gate. Mikey brought so much joy to the lives of everyone he met. He was a kind soul who liked to tease and flirt. He loved when his family visited and brought him “dollars”. Mikey enjoyed music and singing, John Denver’s Country Roads being the favorite. Mikey cared about others and looked out for everyone. He loved his visits with his mom. He will forever hold a special place in our hearts and memories. Rest easy friend, until we meet again.

Community Living Association has full time openings! Check out CLA’s website for open positions and to easily apply on ...
07/18/2025

Community Living Association has full time openings! Check out CLA’s website for open positions and to easily apply on line.

Supporting people with disabilities to be independent, self-confident and participate fully as valued members of the community – helping people lead full and happy lives.

It was a great day ! Community Supports got a bunch of folks together and went strawberry picking at Folsoms in Monticel...
07/03/2025

It was a great day ! Community Supports got a bunch of folks together and went strawberry picking at Folsoms in Monticello.

The strawberries were delicious !!! ☀️🍓☀️🍓

Help protect against Medicaid cuts today!
07/02/2025

Help protect against Medicaid cuts today!

The House of Representatives recently passed a budget framework calling for cuts of at least $880 billion—cuts that would likely target Medicaid. Tell Congress: Protect Medicaid and reject these harmful cuts.

Another concert giveaway and a show of staff appreciation courtesy of CLA!! Thank you for all that you do...not only for...
07/02/2025

Another concert giveaway and a show of staff appreciation courtesy of CLA!! Thank you for all that you do...not only for our clients...but our staff as well.

Check Day at CLA! Always a favorite day . Thank you to all of our wonderful staff. The Long term people( we’re blessed t...
06/19/2025

Check Day at CLA! Always a favorite day . Thank you to all of our wonderful staff. The Long term people( we’re blessed to have a bunch) as well as the newcomers. We appreciate all you do.

If you are looking for a great place to work, benefits starting at 28 hours per week, bonuses and generous amounts of pa...
06/18/2025

If you are looking for a great place to work, benefits starting at 28 hours per week, bonuses and generous amounts of paid time off - CLA may be the place for you.

Visit the Careers Page on CLA’s website

www.clamaine.org

All open positions are posted. You can apply easily from that page and if you have questions the link will take you directly to the Human Resources Director’s email.

Supporting people with disabilities to be independent, self-confident and participate fully as valued members of the community – helping people lead full and happy lives.

06/10/2025

The Appropriations Committee is in the process of making final budget decisions. Please take two minutes TODAY to let them know that restoring the full COLA in the budget is important to you, and then share the link with your colleagues, team members, and network.

Link to the action alert here: https://www.votervoice.net/MEACSP/campaigns/127478/respond

Address

Houlton, ME

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4pm
Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm
Friday 8am - 4pm

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