House locations based on needs of residents
No two Guild adult residences are the same – each house’s location was selected based on the unique needs of the five adults who call the residence “home.” Some homes are located in busy neighborhoods and are a short walking distance from stores, community centers, places of worship and public transportation. Other homes are located in quieter neighborhoods on dead-end streets or cul-de-sacs with large fenced-in yards.
Each Guild home provides residents with individualized care focused on community inclusion, implementation of positive behavior supports and increasing independence. Residential staff works to ensure that individuals are engaged to their maximum ability in the life of the home, including developing the weekly activity schedule, menu planning and cooking. The adults who live in the home and the staff strive to be active members of their local community – visiting the YMCA, community centers and local places of worship; attending special events; getting to know their neighbors; and volunteering.
During the week, residents attend licensed day programs in community settings.
Through the Advocacy Program, The Guild is committed to supporting individuals who seek to participate in personally meaningful community activities. A comprehensive activities interest survey is conducted each year to identify the level of interest in specific activities. These personally selected activities supplement the already full schedule of activities in which residents participate.
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Guild residences
Guild adult residents live in comfortable, safe, family-style homes located in neighborhoods around Eastern Massachusetts. Each resident has their own room. Many residents decorate their rooms with personal belongings, pictures and favorite items. Residents focus on skill development for independence, including cooking, making grocery lists and doing laundry.
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Safety and comfort
- Staff-to-resident ratios are routinely adjusted to meet individual student needs.
- Awake, overnight staff perform bed checks every hour throughout the night.
- Medication storage areas are locked.
- Yards are fenced.
- Homes are centrally heated and air conditioned.
- Routine home repair and maintenance is handled by an on-staff crew.
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Community-based activities
Residents engage in community-based activities daily, ranging from visiting local parks to shopping at the grocery store to eating out at restaurants. The Guild prioritizes skill practice and generalization through activities of daily living. Since each residence has access to The Guild’s fleet of vehicles, residents and staff can easily engage in activities that lead to enhanced independence in the community.
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Benefits
Learning activities of daily living, making friends, using new and improved social/coping skills, and having fun are all part of each resident’s busy home life.
A place to trust
"It's a huge relief to find a place where you can trust that your son's going to be OK, where he's going to be respected and safe and happy and enjoying himself." – Peg Doherty, parent of Guild adult resident
