To foster hope in the lives of at-risk children and families and to enrich their capabilities, enabling them to flourish as contributing members of the community.
The position of Director of Development is hybrid with a flexible in-office schedule.
Communities for People is a special group of professionals who dedicate themselves to helping youth in need. They specialize in residential programs, managed care networks, adoption, and foster care.
Communities for People (CFP) was founded in 1976 to respond to the needs of troubled youth in Massachusetts. CFP pioneered community-based residential programs after recognizing youth would benefit more from living in the community rather than in institutions. Four years later CFP began providing services in Rhode Island. In 1993, CFP merged with Integrated Foster Care. In 1997 CFP also merged with Special Adoption Family Services. These two mergers allowed CFP to provide a comprehensive continuum of services. CFP collaborated with The Providence Center to create Placement Solutions, an organization that reviews and manages the services for the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). In 2010 Placement Solutions became independent of The Providence Center.
CFP joined a network of agencies, called The Care Management Network, working together to provide a full scope of services to RI youth and families.
For over 45 years Communities for People, (CFP), has remained a leader in community-based approaches to support children, youth and families in the state foster care system. They offer a wide range of impactful programs and services in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, including family support and preservation, treatment foster care and adoption support, and a variety of small residential and independent living programs for teens. CFP focuses on achieving permanency, making lifelong connections within the community, and developing independent living skills. The goal at CFP is to provide youth and families with the services and support they need to thrive independently and as part of their communities.
To foster hope in the lives of at-risk children and families and to enrich their capabilities, enabling them to flourish as contributing members of the community.
Every child lives with a permanent, loving family. Every family has the support it needs. And Communities for People is a recognized thought leader in developing innovative service models.
Respect. CFP respects the unique strengths and traits of the individual.
Integrity. CFP believes in honesty and transparency in all their dealings.
Diversity. CFP celebrates diversity in all its forms, in people served, workforce and thought.
Unconditional. CFP provides services to all, regardless of intensity of supports needed.
Community. CFP believes services are best delivered in the community and children and families are best supported within their community.
Team. CFP believes that all people involved with their services have valuable input into decisions that one made.
Accountability. CFP believes that we must be accountable for their decisions, actions, and outcomes.
"CFP actually took the time to help and guide me, unlike the other places I've been in. I was treated like a person rather than a chore. Even if I tried to push everyone away, but no matter how angry I got, everyone listened. Everyone stayed."
– Alexis, Former CFP Client
Joseph M. Leavey, founded Communities for People (CFP) in 1976. He has held several distinguished positions in the field of child and youth welfare services in Massachusetts, including Director of the Placement Division of Child Guardianship, Commissioner of the Department of Youth Services, President of the Massachusetts Council of Human Service Providers, Chairman of the Children’s League, Chairman of the Special Commission on Foster Care, and President of the State Advisory Board for the Department of Children and Families (DCF). In 1980 CFP expanded to Rhode Island where Joe assumed a leadership role in the development of adolescent residential and outreach programs. Today Communities for People is offering a continuum of care through foster care services, residential and independent living programs, and home based services in both Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
When Joe was Commissioner of Youth Services he began to deinstitutionalize youth and create community-based programs. His vision was that youth were better served in small group settings similar to their homes. Joe also believes in the importance of Provider collaboration and was instrumental in the development of many provider networks in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
Under Joe’s leadership CFP began to provide Management Services to human service agencies that needed financial and management assistance. Joe’s commitment to evidence-based treatment led to the creation of two MIS utilization programs. Placement Solutions in Rhode Island and the Family Reunification Network in Massachusetts.
Craig Gordon
Chief Executive Officer
Craig Gordon, Communities for People’s Chief Executive Officer, has worked for CFP for over 40 years. Craig started as a Direct Care worker while still a student at Brandeis University. Soon after graduation, he was promoted to Regional Director in Rhode Island, tasked with establishing CFP’s Rhode Island programs. In that role he developed a full spectrum of programs and services that provide a continuum of care for Rhode Island youth and families involved in the state’s child welfare system, including a staffed apartment model, specialized treatment models for adolescents with varying behavioral and mental health needs, family support programs, treatment foster care, evidence-based programs, and independent living programs. Craig served as Regional Director, and then Vice President, for Rhode Island programs for 14 years.
In 2014, Craig became CFP’s Chief Operating Officer (COO). As COO he provided oversight of staffing workforce needs for all programs in both Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Craig also built valuable partnerships and collaborations with other community organizations and has served on multiple state- and provider-led committees and workgroups. He is a prominent figure in Massachusetts and Rhode Island’s statewide and local advocacy efforts to ensure youth receive the services they need.
Today Craig is honored to be named CFP’s second CEO (following Founder, Joe Leavey). He leads the efforts of 15+ programs in both MA and RI, a budget of approximately 15 million dollars, a workforce of over 180 employees, 2 affiliated agencies, and management services for 5 other nonprofits. He is excited to further develop CFP’s position as an established provider and innovative leader for the youth and families of Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Development Director will have the unique opportunity to establish CFP’s Strategic Development Plan and build a development infrastructure that supports the mission to inspire hope in the lives of children and families impacted by the state’s foster care system.
This position is based at our Main Office, 418 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA and is eligible to apply for a hybrid (in-office and remote) work model. It is a flexible full-time or 4/5ths position, Monday – Friday, or Mon. – Thursday 9am-5pm with flexibility to attend events and meetings as needed. A car is needed as travel between Boston and Providence, RI is required.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: CFP is committed to building and nurturing an environment of inclusive excellence where all staff, donors, residents, youth, and families can thrive. They venture to sustain an environment that fosters mutual respect, care and understanding. They believe diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion are foundational values inextricably linked to achieving their core mission.
Shaké Sulikyan
Senior Advisor and Executive Search Consultant, Boston
ssulikyan@boyden.com
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Lisa Vuona
Managing Partner, Boston
lvuona@boyden.com
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Wendy Wilsker
Managing Partner, Boston
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