Since 1976, Alternatives Unlimited Inc. has helped hundreds of people move from state institutions back into their communities. In the beginning, Alternatives ran the Sheltered Workshop in the Paul Whitin Mill in Whitinsville, a place where clients could work and earn a paycheck.

But, Executive Director Dennis H. Rice said, the workshop turned out to be a barrier for clients trying to connect to the community.

“The problem was they worked in isolation,” Rice said. “In some sense, we had recreated the institutions.”

Alternatives still operates a variety of programs and career centers in more than 40 Central Massachusetts communities, but decided a few years ago to expand their mission — and the 19th-century mill. The nonprofit human services agency undertook a multi-million dollar renovation project “to convert real estate capital into social capital,” according to Rice, and to create a vibrant community center where people from all walks of life and abilities could interact.

The refurbished mill complex opened to acclaim earlier this year.

It’s the latest use for an industrial site that opened in 1772 as a blacksmith’s forge and later became a textile mill. The original “Old Forge” is gone, but the oldest buildings, including the 1826 Brick Mill, are on the Massachusetts Register of Historic Places and are protected by a deed restriction with the Northbridge Historic Commission.

The new cultural complex includes art galleries, the GB and Lexi Singh Performance Center, studios for working artists, artisan spaces for a blacksmith forge and glassblower, affordable river-view apartments for adults with developmental and psychiatric disabilities whom Alternatives serves, and eventually, a restaurant overlooking the Mumford River.

The mill complex surrounds a riverside open-air community plaza featuring a labyrinth, perfect for a pumpkin carving contest, a community yard sale, a starlight art auction or a Blackstone Valley farmers market.

The Singh Performance Center opened in November with Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Ernest,” produced by the Algonkuin Theatre Company. “A Streetcar Named Desire” was Algonkuin’s second show in March. The fully accessible, state-of-the-art theater features seating for 200 and provides excellent sound with recycled tulip-wood, acoustic panels.

A big part of Alternatives intent with the mill project is to develop community partnerships. One innovative way to accomplish that was to organize ValleyCAST! (Blackstone Valley Culture, Arts, Science ... Together!) into a network of 19 partners committed to promoting and coordinating artistic and cultural events at the mill complex.

Matthew J. Carr of Worcester, artistic director and founder of Pilgrim Soul Productions, said the location of the mill off Route 146 should prove to be convenient.

“I think it’s become a challenge for all of us to turn the Whitin Mill into a destination,” Carr said. “I love the new theater space. It’s got great stadium seating and an intimate setting.”

“You shouldn’t have to drive all the way to Worcester or Boston to enjoy a play,” said Marty BlackEagle-Carl, artistic director and founder of the Algonkuin Theatre Company.

Stepping Stones Theater Company, one of a small number of inclusive theater companies in the country that involves individuals with and without disabilities, relocated from Shrewsbury to the mill.

Wendy E. Saba, president of Stepping Stones, said in addition to a main production in the spring, there are two workshops to teach theater arts.

“When I saw my first Stepping Stones production,” Saba said, “I could see something special was happening onstage.” In addition to the theater schedule, there have been a number of art shows at the mill, with more planned for next year.

The Whitin Mill’s Heritage Gallery opened with “Blackstone Valley Mills: Watercolors” by Worcester artist Susan J. Champeny. Uxbridge artist Pamela White Murphy teaches arts classes on Thursday evenings.

“I just hope this location really takes off. I want to help them build it, and I’m sure other artists do as well,” White Murphy said.

Just as the Whitin Mill complex on the Mumford River once powered the Industrial Revolution, now Alternatives hopes to power a cultural, educational and social revolution in the Blackstone Valley for its clients and for the community for generations to come.

“It’s all about reciprocity,” Rice said. “By giving back to the community through events and activities at the Whitin Mill, we hope the community will be more open to providing real opportunities for the people we serve.”

Alternatives Unlimited
at the Whitin Mill
50 Douglas Road, Whitinsville
(508) 234-6232
www.alternativesnet.org

Visit the Web site for information on art shows, theater productions and events.