In 1987, a group of concerned parents in the Greater Philadelphia area founded Jewish Community Homes for Adult Independence (JCHAI) to fill a clearly developing void in services provided to the Jewish disabled. The founders' children were developmentally disabled adults who were productive members of the community and who looked forward to living as independent a life as possible. Unfortunately, these first residents were denied one thing that would make their experience as independent adults fulfilling: the opportunity to live in a Jewish environment.

Until JCHAI, the only community living arrangements available for the adult disabled did not support their residents' Jewish background. And, in fact, Jewish residents in those homes were not only denied the meaningful ability to practice Judaism, they were sometimes subjected to anti-Semitic harassment when they attempted to do so. This situation was intolerable for parents who had carefully raised their children to be proud of their Judaism.

And so, JCHAI was born. The parents conceived of JCHAI as a place where their loved ones could live independently, continue to participate actively in the community, and practice their Jewish heritage without intolerance. They also wanted JCHAI to care for their loved ones after the parents were gone – for the life of the disabled individual.

In 1991, JCHAI opened its first full-service residence for developmentally disabled adults. This provided a place for adults with special needs to have a safe, structured home, in the least restrictive environment possible and offered an opportunity to participate fully in the richness of Jewish religious, cultural, and social life.

JCHAI currently has three homes — one each in Wynnewood, Elkins Park and Northeast Philadelphia. JCHAI also has a less-supervised apartment program at the Presidential City Apartments on City Avenue in Philadelphia.