Staff News
In an effort to keep our employees connected with news and events pertaining to their work and training at Walnut Street Center and in the Direct Support field, we offer regularly updated news and information here:
As we enter the new fiscal year (7/24), we are expecting a year focused on stabilization and growth. WSC is proud to have you on our team and are grateful for your dedication and service!
WSC is thrilled to announce the signing of a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between WSC and SEIU 509. With the support of the Commonwealth, WSC was agreed to a 10.6 % increase Bringing our Direct Support staff from $19 to $21 dollars an hour. The agreement also allows for 3% increases in 2025 and 3% increases in 2026 Our Direct Support employees are the core of our services, and we are excited to be able to offer them such a lucrative contract.
In the end of the last fiscal year, we opened a new Community Based Day Support (CBDS) program in Hyde Park and a new residential program in Wilmington, MA. For the upcoming year we are working on a new residential program in Waltham, expanding Individuals Supports and a day program. WSC purchased a large commercial building in Bedford, MA and are planning to open a CBDS and Day Habilitation program in early 2025. This program will support 100 + people and will be the cornerstone of our expansion into the Central Middlesex area.
As many of you know staffing has been a challenge for the past couple of years. We are still experiencing a staffing crisis but with the increased wages and the revitalized efforts of our new Human Resources team we are seeing some positive changes. The vacancy rate has dropped for 3 months in a row and counting. You will see s lot of new faces throughout the year. Let’s welcome them to the team and show them our WSC spirit.
As the year goes on we will update you on changes but we are off to a great start.
Updated Collective Bargaining Agreement
The WSC is a proud member of the SEIU Local 509. The new 2024 contract will be linked as soon as we receive the updated version from the SEIU.
DSP Recognition Week 2023
We celebrated our incredible Direct Support Professionals and thanked them for all that they do during DSP Recognition Week from September 10-16th. We held a special raffle for each day of the week. Here are our lucky winners:
Alex N.
Amendola A.
Queen I.
We appreciate all of you and your hard work!
Visit and Proclamation from Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn
In October, Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn visited our facility to meet our wonderful staff and residents and announced a citywide proclamation in honor of their hard work and passion. September 12-18 is now officially Direct Support Professionals Week in the City of Medford.
Thank you to the Medford Transcript for writing about her recent visit! It was such a great experience for both our employees and residents!
Halloween Decorate Your Door Contest 2023
For the spooky season, we hosted a “Decorate Your Door” contest for our residents and had so much fun! We loved seeing everyone’s creativity!
Holidays at Walnut Street Center 2023
Santa came to visit us! We hope everyone had a happy holiday!