Dear Colleagues,

On Monday, May 25, a man died right before our eyes.  He died in real time and on instant replay, over and over and over again.  He died not of a heart attack, a car accident or old age.  He died under the knee of a person, of four people, who swore an oath to protect him.

George Floyd was an African American man who had two daughters, several jobs, and countless friends.  He was one in a long line of men and women of color who have died under a knee, at the barrel of a gun or swinging from a tree in a “free” country. 

September 10-16 marks National Direct Support Professional Recognition Week! On any given day, direct support professionals are asked to serve in a variety of roles: coach, clinician, family liaison, employment navigator, and chef, to name a few. They work hard to meet the needs of those in their care, and too often this work is underappreciated and undervalued. This week and every week, The Guild is committed to recognizing the skill, creativity, and work ethic of the amazing direct support professionals who are such a vital part of our community.

In late 2021, The Guild for Human Services was awarded a $19,130 grant from the Sudbury Foundation to support an online expressive arts therapy program for families of nonspeaking children at The Guild School. This spring, The Guild’s counseling department rolled out the program in conjunction with Lesley University’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling cohort.

Individuals with serious intellectual and developmental disabilities often require support from adult service programs when they turn 22. This process can be challenging and filled with anxiety for their loved ones. Every parent wants the best for their child as they become adults, but they may not know where to start.

Individuals with serious intellectual and developmental disabilities often require support from adult service programs when they turn 22. This process can be challenging and filled with anxiety for their loved ones. Every parent wants the best for their child as they become adults, but they may not know where to start.

May 8th-12th marked National Teacher Appreciation Week! Throughout the week, we celebrated our incredible education team with events and featured staff profiles on our social media pages. Check out highlights below, and follow us on Instagram and Facebook @guildhumanservices for full staff features:

Maria Esna, M.Ed, Classroom Teacher

February marks Low Vision Awareness Month, a time to recognize the challenges millions of people in the United States face with low or impaired vision. By definition, low vision refers to having a permanent vision impairment that prevents proper eyesight and makes everyday activities difficult. Most people in the United States with vision loss have a form of low vision rather than complete blindness.

Earlier this month, Guild CEO Amy C. Sousa wrote an op-ed in Commonwealth Magazine, What’s causing the boarding crisis in hospitals? The article looks at the crisis of psychiatric boarding and its direct connection to the dire need for residential services for people with complex developmental and behavioral health needs.

For Guild School student Thomas*, drawing had always been a passion. His colorful artwork ranged from abstract designs to renditions of people and current events.  Last fall, he took his skills to new heights by taking Drawing 1, an introductory art course at Middlesex Community College in Lowell.

Bob Renois, a Residential Assistant with Walnut House, was honored with an Award of Excellence at the Providers’ Council’s annual convention and expo on Monday, October 3rd. Bob has worked at The Guild for over 23 years in both Residential Assistant and Assistant Residential Manager capacities.