Honoring a Legacy: How Your Support Has Transformed SJCS
St. John’s Community Services has been around for over 150 years, but the movement that shaped who we are today began in the 1980s.
At that time, SJCS was a small program based in Washington, D.C., supporting just 12 students with disabilities. Back then, many services for people living with disabilities took place behind closed doors in classrooms, institutions, or day centers, separated from everyday life. But we knew people deserved more.
That’s when SJCS made a bold shift toward community-based care. We were trailblazers in the idea that people living with disabilities deserve support within the communities where they live, not apart from them.
This transformation changed everything. It showed that people living with disabilities don’t need to be “placed” somewhere to receive care. They need opportunities. Choice. Connection. And a community that sees them for who they are.
It’s about recognizing that inclusion, dignity, and independence come from being part of the world around you. This approach ensures people are not only supported but belong with opportunities to build relationships, make choices, and live life on their own terms.
Your support has makes all of this possible. Because of you, SJCS has grown far beyond D.C., now supporting community members across multiple states. You help people in your community achieve their dreams and live their best lives.
You’re not just part of our story. You are the reason this mission is possible. Thank you.
Let's make dreams possible for people of all abilities
Say yes to helping people realize their full potential