Established in 1979, the Polus Center for Social and Economic Development, Inc., is a non-profit 501(c)3 corporation that designs and implements community-based programs in the United States and throughout the developing world. 

The Polus Center strives to create opportunities for persons with disabilities and members of other vulnerable groups to become valued citizens and live meaningful and productive lives within their communities.

Our programs and services include:

“Shared Living” homes in Massachusetts and New Hampshire

The Polus Center helps to establish and support households where people with and without disabilities live together based on mutual respect and loyalty to one another. Shared Living provides an opportunity for each person to live a rich and meaningful life. Homes are supportive, safe, and comfortable. In Shared Living homes, people live together as equals, involve each other in family relationships, and participate in activities both inside and outside of the home and together share in life’s joys and challenges.

International Development in Latin America and the Middle East

In 1997, the Polus Center began working in Central America to improve national rehabilitation capacity for people with disabilities, particularly those individuals who lost limbs due to acts of war, landmines and disease. Over the past fifteen years, Polus has worked in many countries around the world to promote social and economic justice for some of the world’s most vulnerable groups. The Polus Center has an established track record for creating innovative and flexible person-centered victim assistance programs, including prosthetic workshops, accessibility and barrier reduction projects and offers trainings on wheelchair fitting and seating. Polus also provides workshops for program design and implementation of human service for both government and non-government organizations (NGOs).

Coffeelands World Gifts Espresso Café

The World Gifts Espresso Café promotes global fair trade standards by offering organic fair trade coffee from Dean’s Beans and unique items handcrafted by people living in coffee growing regions around the world. Built on universal design principles, the Café provides employment opportunities in a fully accessible high-end espresso café.