Since 1977, John F. Murphy Homes, Inc. has been a cornerstone in Maine’s efforts to support individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Headquartered in Auburn, JFM has grown from a single residence to a comprehensive network of services that empower individuals across their lifespan.
The roots of JFM trace back to 1954 when John F. Murphy, a member of the Lewiston Board of Finance, advocated for the use of the Garcelon School as an educational facility for individuals with developmental disabilities. This initiative laid the groundwork for future services in the region. Following Mr. Murphy’s passing in 1976, community leaders established the John F. Murphy Foundation for the Mentally Retarded Inc. in 1977 to honor his legacy. Starting with a modest $100 bank account, the organization opened its first home for six adults. Over the decades, JFM expanded its reach, now providing its continuum of services across 50 locations throughout the Greater Lewiston-Auburn area and beyond.
To achieve its commitment to make lives better for children and adults with differing abilities, JFM offers a continuum of services designed to meet the diverse needs of individuals with IDD and ASD. These include Residential Services, Community Day Programs, Employment and Work Support Services and the Margaret Murphy Centers for Children.
Margaret Murphy Centers for Children
In 2000, the Margaret Murphy Centers for Children (named after John Murphy’s wife, who served as the first treasurer on JFM’s board of directors) were founded as a special purpose private school, providing high-quality educational and clinical services to children from birth to age 22 who require specialized educational and behavioral supports that may not be available in traditional school settings. The seven original schools, located in Lewiston, Auburn, Randolph and Saco, employ and collaborate with professionals who hold a range of specialized qualifications or licenses relevant to both education and clinical treatment of students with diagnoses such as IDD, ASD, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, anxiety, or significant behavioral challenges.
“Prior to 2000, many children with autism and significant behavioral need were being placed in out of state programs, or, perhaps worse, simply not able to access educational services.”
— Michelle Hathaway, Senior Director
The center’s best-practices approach incorporates current research and technology, paired with a strong commitment to an individualized, child-focused and strengths-based philosophy of intervention. Every child who attends MMCC is unique, and their experiences are designed to reflect their vast and varied needs. The organization also recognizes the span of developmental need and is committed to supporting students through its Early Intervention Programs, Elementary School Programs and within its Middle and Secondary Programs. Each level of programming requires different areas of expertise and approach, from play-based learning experiences with the youngest students, to transition services and career exploration opportunities found within the High School programs. Each center offers robust experiences for children as they transition through their stages of development.
Successful outcomes are the direct result of an extraordinary staff who are dedicated to providing the highest quality of educational and clinical services within a positive, caring and compassionate environment. The center’s Inter-Disciplinary teams commit to focused efforts that provide a comprehensive service delivery model, creating well-planned, intentional and focused treatment plans for students. In partnership with families, continual opportunities for growth, independence and success are created and celebrated.
Continued Growth
MMCC has become the largest Special Purpose Private School Program in the State, while employing the largest number of Behavioral Health Professionals and Board-Certified Behavior Analysts. Organizational strength is found in its size, in the collective expertise shared across clinical specialty, experience and shared passion.
The seven original center locations include Rodman Road in Auburn (Pre-K to 8th Grade); Hotel Road in Auburn (4th to 8th Grade); Charles Street in Auburn (K-8th Grade); Memorial Avenue in Lewiston (high school students); Main Street in Lewiston (K-8th Grade); Industrial Drive in Saco (Pre-K to 12th Grade); School Street in Randolph (two years old to 8th Grade); and Baribeau Drive in Brunswick (for three-year-olds to 8th Grade). MMCC also handles professional development and human resources out of its Falcon Drive in Auburn location and offers a childcare center for its employees at Minot Avenue in Auburn.
A ninth location was added to the line-up in August when MMCC’s Strawberry Avenue in Lewiston location opened. The exceptionally designed and fully refurbished facility will be open to children ages pre-school through second grade with a large wait list of children eager to enroll.
At the same time, a large addition to MMCC’s Memorial Avenue location in Lewiston was nearing completion. The newly constructed project, led by Gendron and Gendron, provides 11 spacious classroom suites, specially designed for group interactions and activities, as well as cozy, individualized learning areas. The space also houses a beautifully designed kitchen and dining areas, a large recreation room, specially designed areas for PT/OT, clinical offices, counselling spaces and areas for students to read, engage in creative activity, social opportunity and life-skills instruction. Connected to the middle and high school, the newly constructed elementary wing will support students in grades 3rd to 7th grade. The additional space will allow for the enrollment of students on a wait list as well as allow the organization to re-locate smaller schools into this larger, more well-constructed and designed space resulting in the closure of the Rodman Road, Charles Street and Main Street locations.
“The addition to the Memorial Avenue location provided us with the opportunity to design the space for our current needs,” said Michelle Hathaway, Senior Director. “While the three schools that we closed were valuable to our mission and served a purpose, none were specifically designed as schools. The opportunity to have our students in facilities that are specifically designed with children, learning and unique needs of our population in mind was an exceptional opportunity.
“The new construction will also allow us to merge the very talented clinical and educational staff that work in these different facilities. The opportunity to collaborate and to share the tremendous expertise of our staff is an incredibly exciting gift of this re-organization.”
Exceptional Employees
As MMCC has expanded and grown, it has become a unique school system. Within this system, tremendous effort has been focused on increasing employee benefit offerings. This includes very competitive salary and opportunities for balanced, paid time off. MMCC staff work incredibly hard, and a system has been developed that allows frequent and necessary paid breaks throughout the year. In addition, an in-house system of professional development has been created – supporting staff to become Board Certified Behavior Analysts and, in the Fall of 2026, Special Education Teachers.
Dr. William Roy is a great example of an employee that was supported in professional development. He joined MMCC as an entry level Ed-Tech immediately after graduating with a bachelor’s degree. Attending graduate school allowed Roy to become a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), which led him to pursue his doctoral degree. He is now a Psychologist and the Department Head for MMCC’s Behavioral Services Department, overseeing 28 BCBA’s, and was recently recognized as the Maine School Psychologist of the Year.
“I am so grateful to have landed at MMCC after college and to have had such continued support and opportunity in my career,” Roy said upon receiving the award.
The Margaret Murphy Centers for Children have remained steadfast in its mission to empower individuals who require specialized educational and behavioral supports. Guided by innovation, compassion and exceptional staff, the organization continues to expand opportunities for children and families, ensuring that every individual has the support needed to learn, grow and reach their fullest potential.
