Our Story
Working Towards A Better Tomorrow
SMILE creates community homes for adults with developmental disabilities. Our homes bring people together with peers of similar age and ability, where they build friendships, share laughter, and learn the skills of everyday life. As parents and caregivers grow older and can no longer provide direct care, SMILE offers stability and belonging that lasts.
SMILE began in 2010 with Allan and Patricia Milford and their love for their son, Steven, who has Down syndrome. They asked the same question that thousands of New Jersey families face: Who will care for our child when we no longer can?
That question sparked a movement. Today, the need remains urgent. State reports show more than 3,000 people are still waiting for placement in New Jersey’s Community Care Program, with an average wait of seven years. SMILE exists to shorten that wait and to prove that a life of independence, friendship, and growth isn’t just possible, it’s a right.
Our Vision
The Steven Milford Independent Living Experience (SMILE) envisions a world where every adult with intellectual and developmental disabilities can live with dignity, independence, and joy.
We are building homes that are more than safe, they are alive with friendship, learning, and self-determination. Each person in a SMILE home receives the support they need to thrive among peers, surrounded by caretakers who see their potential and encourage it.
Our vision is simple: communities where everyone belongs, contributes, and is celebrated for who they are.
Our Mission
Our mission is to create loving, safe, and empowering homes for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Each SMILE home is uniquely designed to promote independence and community inclusion. Where residents cook, work, learn, and live with pride.
Through individualized supports and meaningful connections, we help each person grow not just in skills but in confidence, belonging, and joy.
