About us
What is Corliss?
The Corliss Center is a small, non-profit human service agency in Warren, RI, that provides residential choices and community-based support and activities for deaf and hard-of-hearing adults who have developmental disabilities.
We have been serving this special population for over 40 years and have established a unique, safe, and caring community for our members. In addition to our three group homes, we have a range of other residential options for those who live independently but may benefit from support when needed.
Our team
Our Team, led by executive director Rick Clarkson, includes two group home managers, a Day Program director, nursing staff, a clinical team, an administrative team, maintenance director, and many DSPs (direct service providers) who work full or part-time and are available to our members 24/7.
Our History
The Corliss Center grew out of the need of one family to find a living environment where their adult child could thrive in community with other deaf people. Searching for options led to many dead ends. Many deaf individuals with developmental disabilities were institutionalized at that time with no place to experience the community and communication that all of us need. The late June Rockefeller, a resident of Barrington, RI, was a woman of vision who was moved by the needs of her daughter and others in similar situations. Wanting to provide some level of independence, while offering necessary support services including interaction with deaf culture, June sought resources to help create a place her daughter could call home.
Working with Dr. Peter Blackwell from the Rhode Island School for the Deaf and others with experience in the deaf community, June gathered a group of people to serve on the board of directors, and, in 1982, the Corliss Institute was born, later to become the Corliss Center. Over the last forty years, the Corliss community has grown to its current capacity of serving numerous members, all of whom have developmental disabilities and are deaf, hard-of-hearing, or have severe communication challenges. They live in a variety of homes near the Center and participate in many shared activities.
Since its beginning, Corliss has been fortunate to have engaged several highly capable executive directors, beginning with Mary Ellen Breen, the founding executive director. These leaders have helped shape the organization, bringing expertise in deaf culture and human services. Their commitment to the goals of improving the quality of life of those deaf individuals who have disabilities along with their skills of working with health and human services have provided a sustainable model for operating and funding the Corliss Center. A supportive group of board members and donors, as well as charitable foundations, have also provided donations and grants to help achieve the goals and meet the needs of this unique agency.
Testimonial
Our daughter Monica, who just turned 60, is the oldest of our three girls and has been a member of Corliss for over two decades. Monica’s mother had rubella while pregnant and Monica was born legally blind, deaf and developmentally disabled. She was a rubella baby born during the epidemic in the 1960’s.
We have been blessed with the many people at Corliss who have the biggest hearts on the planet. Monica is treated with love, respect and dignity by all members and staff of Corliss. They go above and beyond every day to make her daily life fun, enjoyable and fulfilling. Since Monica has been at Corliss, we have never had to worry about her. We know she is in loving and caring hands at Corliss.
We can’t thank everyone at Corliss enough for everything you do for Monica.
Ron Grandchamp and Family
Parent of Member
