Medford’s Walnut Street Center Celebrates 50th Anniversary

MEDFORD, MA — Walnut Street Center, a Medford non-profit agency that provides comprehensive support services to adults with intellectual disabilities, is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

The Walnut Street Center was founded in the early 1970s by a group of parents seeking services for their children. Over the years, the center has grown dramatically, adding a variety of living options and programs for individuals with intellectual disabilities, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Alzheimer's Disease, and acquired brain injuries.

"We are excited about our future," Carolyne Guffey, Walnut Street Center's Chief Executive Officer, said in a statement. "As we expand and establish a vision for broadening our services and reaching more individuals, we build upon the entrepreneurial and humanitarian legacy of the founding parents who boldly advocated for their children to have more meaningful and supported lives. Our services are more important than ever.”

The organization currently offers Day- Habilitation and Individual Support programs focusing on daily living, functional independence, and skill-building. It also fosters opportunities through its Community-Based Day programs that can lead to employment and its 24-Hour Residential Program network includes 17 physical sites from independent living to fully staffed homes.

"The Walnut Street Center’s Day Program is exceptional,” an anonymous parent said. "The staff knocks themselves out for individuals. My son has a new lease on life and loves it.”

“The staff at my son’s home are professional and do excellent work,” another parent said. “They are kind, thoughtful, and approachable. Most important, they have made a serious effort to get to
know him.”

Here are some milestones in Walnut Street Center’s 50 years of service:

• Opened 43,000 sq. ft state-of-the-art Medford facility with horticultural room, art room, gymnasium, computer lab, training kitchen, sensory room and music/ movement spaces
• Expanded to locations in Cambridge, Somerville, and Arlington
• Launched Obie Program to engage residents through gaming and challenge cognitive, physical, and social functions
• Introduced Music Therapy to build personal connections, learn skills and emote expression
• Broadened Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) support
• Town of Medford Proclamation appointed September 12-18 Direct Support Professional Week
• Recipient of Tufts University’s Employee Fund and Neighborhood Fund
• Two-timed benefactor of the Taste of Somerville
• Benefactor of the Boston Foundation COVID-19 Response Fund

Walnut Street Center serves over 150 individuals annually. The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) funds most programing and MassHealth funds the Day Habilitation program.

To learn more, visit http://www.wscinc.org.