Ruth and her husband Milton, and their son, one of the first KenCCID residents
About Us
KenCCID is a 501(c)3 non-profit charitable organization providing services for individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD). KenCCID’s mission is to empower individuals with disabilities to have independence, self-sufficiency, and self-reliance.
The organization was conceptualized by several Philadelphia families from the Kensington area of the city, many of whom had family members with intellectual and developmental disabilities. At the time of its founding, the era of court ordered de-institutionalization for individuals with disabilities into boarding homes and other unsupported environments was just beginning. These orders came on the heels of bone-chilling investigations into the now infamous Pennhurst State Institution. Imagine the horror of individuals confined to cages because of their disabilities.
Recognizing a need for services, these concerned Kensington residents worked diligently to form the non-profit organization, KenCCID, that would provide the quality of lifestyle their lovedones deserved. The charter for the Agency was signed in 1974, with its first Community Living Arrangement (CLA) opening in 1977. At the time of its opening, KenCCID welcomed three individuals from local families, as well as three individuals from the infamous Pennhurst State Institution.
The Pennhurst Longitudinal Study tracked the movement of all the individuals who used to live at the Pennhurst State Institution in 1978. The study revealed that due to community homes like KenCCID, none of these individuals wound up homeless or in jail, their life expectancy increased by 6 years, and the quality of their homes were significantly better than before.
The KenCCID Difference
KenCCID works to meet the needs of Philadelphia’s most vulnerable community members – individuals with disabilities.Individuals with disabilities experience poverty at a 17% higher rate than individuals without disabilities. This is further compounded by the lack of accommodation for individuals with disabilities at many workplaces, forcing many individuals with disabilities to be unable to hold steady jobs and provide for themselves.
KenCCID has been providing housing services in Philadelphia to individuals with disabilities for close to 50 years. Our homes are conveniently located near the cultural and social hubs throughout the city, including shopping, sporting events, theaters, and museums. The majority of our homes are located in Zone 10. Per the City of Philadelphia Disability Representation Map, 17 to 45% of the population in Zone 10 is classified as having a disability.
Each home has an assigned vehicle to provide transportation for our residents. We currently operate 30 homes. Each home is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by our well-trained and caring professionals.
KenCCID believes in freedom of choice. We offer a variety of living arrangements from apartments to small homes. Our options include 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom homes and apartments. Most residents have 1-2 roommates living in a family setting who share their living spaces with separate bedrooms. Other residents prefer to use our semi-independent living arrangement.
Individuals residing at KenCCID community homes are well cared for and experience freedom of choice, safety, friendship, respect, home cooked meals, and a sense of pride.
KenCCID offers a range of service options to promote independence that directly enhance the quality of life for individuals with disabilities. Our services include:
Home security systems directly linked to local police and fire departments.
A Nursing Department to meet basic medical needs on a daily basis.
24-hour on-call coverage for emergencies.
A Maintenance Department which responds to repair and upgrade assignments in an efficient and timely manner.
Our Impact
Having a safe place to call home.
Being part of a community.
These are the foundations of living a rich, full, independent life.
KenCCID has worked diligently to provide people with developmental and intellectual disabilities the skills necessary to achieve the outcomes they want in their lives, most importantly safe and adequate housing. The people we support are encouraged to provide for their own self-care, become responsible citizens, earn a living with gainful employment, and live a quality of life as independently as possible.
Some of our staff have been with us for as long as 38 years, and we have individuals who have been living with us for over 40 years. This has truly become their home as they are “Our Family.”
In the 50 years of KenCCID, the organization has achieved the following:
- Provided housing to 24 former residents of the infamous Pennhurst State Institution, of which 5 are still with us.
- Provided housing to over 160 individuals with disabilities.
- Secured jobs for over 40 KenCCID residents.
- During the height of the covid-19 pandemic:
- We had no lapse in our ability to provide in-home direct support and medical care to our KenCCID residents. Despite a national nursing staffing shortage, KenCCID was able to continue to support the physical well-being of our individuals with disabilities.
- We were able to secure jobs for four individuals with disabilities within our community.
- Five of our KenCCID residents were able to retain their jobs, despite the severe job loss that resulted from the pandemic.
- Several of our residents continue to work at various community jobs, some holding their positions for over 2 years at the same employer.
- One of our residents has held his job for over 5 years now at the same employer.
- As of October 2023, we currently operate 30 homes with a total of 50 residents.