Our History & Mission

Access: Supports for Living began in 1963 with a simple, powerful idea: that people, regardless of disability or circumstance, have the ability to work, contribute, and live meaningful lives in their communities.

That belief still drives us today.

Now one of the largest human services providers in the Hudson Valley, Access – together with its affiliates, The Guidance Center of Westchester, Meaningful NY, and New York Families for Autistic Children – serves more than 20,000 people each year. Our work is person-centered, trauma-informed, and grounded in respect for each individual’s goals and choices.

We support children, adults, and families facing mental health and substance use challenges, living with intellectual or developmental disabilities, or navigating everyday barriers like housing instability, food insecurity, and underemployment. We also partner across healthcare, community organizations, and public systems to connect care and strengthen communities. We bring together services that are too often fragmented so people can get what they need, when they need it.

 But what sets Access apart is how we work.

Through our Culture Playbook and strategic plan “RECIPE,” we hold ourselves accountable to creating an environment where people matter, where teams work together, and where ideas turn into action. We focus on what counts: using our resources wisely, engaging our workforce, improving outcomes, supporting independence, connecting people to care quickly, and building a culture where everyone belongs.

We are also investing in the future of care through the Access: Center of Excellence – a hub for learning, innovation, and workforce development that strengthens our staff, our partners, and the broader field.

More than sixty years in, our mission hasn’t changed:  We help people live the healthiest and fullest lives possible.