Who We Are
For more than five decades, Walnut Street Center has been a trusted partner in the lives of adults with intellectual disabilities.
Our Story
Walnut Street Center began in 1970 when a group of parents came together with a simple but powerful goal: to create services for their own children with intellectual disabilities. At a time when options were limited and institutions were the norm, these families envisioned something different. They believed their children deserved to live, learn, and grow within their own communities.
What started as a parent-formed nonprofit has blossomed into an organization serving over 200 adults annually across Greater Boston and Metro North. From those early days of advocacy and grassroots fundraising, WSC has expanded to include 17 residential homes, comprehensive day programs, and individualized support services that meet people where they are.
Through every decade, our mission has remained constant: empowering adults with intellectual disabilities to make meaningful choices about their own lives. The parents who founded WSC understood that their children had gifts to share with the world. Fifty-four years later, we continue proving them right every single day.
For more than five decades, Walnut Street Center has been a trusted partner in the lives of adults with intellectual disabilities. We open doors that society too often keeps closed, providing thoughtful, individualized support that recognizes each person's unique strengths, dreams, and capacity for growth.
Our Journey
1970s
Parents form nonprofit, establish first community-based home
1980s
$1.5M HUD grant expands residential offerings to 30 people
1990s
Leads Massachusetts in developing Alzheimer's care for adults with ID
2000s
Opens two additional HUD-funded residential projects, purchases headquarters
2010s
New leadership, new Medford headquarters, expands to Metro North
2020s
Navigates COVID with safety focus, receives city proclamation, expands to Bedford and Hyde Park
Our Mission & Values
Our Mission
The mission of Walnut Street Center is to empower adults with intellectual disabilities to live engaged and meaningful lives. We accomplish this by offering person-centered support services that provide opportunities to live, work, volunteer, and socialize within the community.
Our Vision
A world where individuals with intellectual disabilities are fully included, valued members of their communities with the opportunity to live, work, and thrive with purpose and belonging.
Our Values
Rights and Dignity
We recognize and honor the inherent worth of every individual we serve. WSC encourages people to be involved in planning their own services, practice self-advocacy, and engage in activities that enhance their personal well-being.
Community
We support community membership through relationship building, partnerships, and active participation in neighborhoods. True belonging means being part of the fabric of everyday community life.
Personal Growth and Accomplishment
We promote personal growth by providing supports that are person-centered and focus on each individual's maximum potential. Every person has the capacity to learn, develop, and achieve their goals.
Quality
We endeavor to exceed industry standards by maintaining a learning environment based on evidence-based clinical supports, person-centered skills building, community inclusion, and state-of-the-art facilities.
How We Support Independence
Every person we serve has unique strengths, preferences, and goals. Our approach puts individuals at the center of their own support planning, ensuring services reflect personal choice and evolving needs
Person-Centered Planning
We develop programs with each individual, not for them. Support plans are tailored to current abilities and designed to help people reach their personal goals.
Community Integration
We believe in genuine belonging. Our programs connect people to their neighborhoods through volunteering, employment, recreation, and everyday community activities.
Clinical Excellence
Our professional staff includes registered nurses, clinical behaviorists, and physical, occupational, and speech therapists. We use evidence-based approaches including ABA/PBS clinical supports.
Family Partnership
We collaborate with families, caregivers, and community organizations to create networks of support. Strong partnerships expand opportunities and ensure continuity of care.
Our Leadership Team
Our senior management team brings over 100 years of combined experience in human services. Each leader is dedicated to improving and building upon Walnut Street Center's programs and mission.
Our Impact
200+
Adults served annually
17
Residential homes
150+
Dedicated staff members
18
Towns in service area
Geographic Reach
WSC serves adults with intellectual disabilities across Greater Boston and Metro North, including: Arlington, Bedford, Belmont, Cambridge, Everett, Lynnfield, Malden, Medford, Melrose, North Reading, Saugus, Somerville, Stoneham, Reading, Wakefield, Waltham, Watertown, and Wilmington.
Our Commitment to Equity
Walnut Street Center has signed the Providers' Council's pledge for their "Call to Action on Racial Equity." We believe that fighting for justice and equality is central to serving the most vulnerable members of our community.
"We have joined this pledge and support efforts to bring racial justice and equity to our communities."
— Carolyne Guffey, CEO
Our Commitment
- We listen, educate ourselves, and develop strategies for combating systemic racism
- We have established a diversity, equity, and inclusion committee
- We support staff, clients, and communities in advocating for their rights
- We work to end all systems of oppression within our communities
Staff Diversity
Our 150+ Direct Support employees mirror the rich cultural diversity of our surrounding communities. Staff members represent countries including Portugal, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Vietnam, Ireland, Brazil, Uganda, Kenya, Cameroon, Nepal, Nigeria, Italy, and South Africa.
