One in five employees within the human services sector identifies as an immigrant to the United States. Many of these employees are deemed “essential” in providing direct support to historically underserved populations. Yet, far too many barriers prevent these employees from achieving the financial and professional success they sought when they came to the U.S. 

The Guild for Human Services was pleased to nominate Hajara Nalwanga, Overnight Shift Lead at Walnut House and Karl Bernard, Residential Assistant at Sudbury House for the 2024 Direct Support Professional of the Year awards program hosted by the American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR)! ANCOR is a national association of community-based service providers that support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

In today’s financial climate, it’s more important than ever for nonprofit organizations to consider cash and investment management strategies to fulfill long-term objectives. Many organizations do this by utilizing financial markets, which are systems by which individuals and businesses can secure and raise funds.

By Amy. C Sousa, Chief Executive Officer, The Guild for Human Services

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. 

The Guild for Human Services recently elected Will Kinlaw, CFA, and David Nathan, both of Sudbury, to its Board of Trustees. 

Trauma-informed care is a framework for human service providers created to recognize trauma's prevalence and widespread impact. Given that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) disproportionately experience traumatic events, taking a trauma-informed approach is crucial for human service providers.

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.

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.

The language we use to describe ourselves and others has lasting implications. Language preferences are personal, especially as terminology evolves within the disability movement to accurately reflect individuals’ unique strengths and challenges. Recently, some have shifted away from the term ‘nonverbal’ in favor of ‘nonspeaking’ to describe individuals who use modalities other than speech to communicate.