From the CEO

by | Sep 5, 2019 | Arc, Department of Developmental Services, Human Services, Merger

What an incredible few months it’s been! As I sat down to pen my first “Message from the CEO” as the CEO of LifeLinks CLASS, I found myself simultaneously reflecting and looking forward. Reflecting on the journey that led us to merge two agencies with more than 100 years of combined history. But also looking forward to the development of our first strategic plan as LifeLinks CLASS, and advancing our mission of enabling the people we serve across the Greater Lowell and Merrimack Valley regions to live fuller and more prosperous lives.

To get to this point, the combined leadership teams at LifeLinks and CLASS had to agree on a shared vision of creating a “one-stop-shop” agency model, providing individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities, and their families a more robust portfolio of services. But every day I’m reminded by a quote from Good to Great author Jim Collins:

“Great vision without great people is irrelevant.”

At the end of the day, that’s what this merger is about…great people. And it’s not just the incredibly talented and dedicated staff at LifeLinks CLASS, it’s the inspirational individuals we serve. It’s the passionate families we work with. It’s the generous employers we partner with. It’s the inclusive communities in which we live and work. It’s the enthusiastic interns we empower. The success of the merger is rooted in the diversity and passion of two organizations who are motivated by improving the lives of others.

I’ve been so inspired by everyone at this combined agency, that I knew one of my first priorities as CEO was to share with all of you some of the stories of the great people I am so fortunate to be around on a daily basis. And to invite you to engage with us on a more personal level in the important work we do.

Over the course of our first year, you’ll start to see more visible aspects of the combined agency in all of our communications vehicles, including the web, social media, and new newsletters like NewsLinks. We’ll be actively looking at ways to better serve all of you, as we complement our service portfolio and welcome new staff.

But know that LifeLinks CLASS will continue to offer all of the high-quality services and supports that advance our mission and are rooted in our combined and distinguished histories.

Jean  M. Phelps, Chief Executive Officer

The Future of Human Services

by | Aug 29, 2019 | Department of Developmental Services, Human Services, Inclusion, Internship

CHELMSFORD, MA – Inside the hallways of our Day Habilitation program, something special is happening. Young adults from urban backgrounds are “learning while they earn” — making an impact on the lives of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Urban Youth Collaborative Program (UYCP) is funded by the Department of Developmental Services (DDS), an initiative that began in 1992 to foster an interest in students to work in the human services field. The program’s success speaks for itself, with nearly 3,500 interns being connected with over 19 agencies since its implementation.

Fifteen students, some new and some returning, spent the last eight weeks gaining real work experience while being mentored and supervised by professional staff. On August 8, students gathered at the Massachusetts State House to be honored for their commitment and dedication to serving individuals at the various providers of the UYCP. Shawn Nault, Director of Day Habilitation Services and UYCP Coordinator, and his team also had the opportunity to personally express their gratitude at last month’s graduation ceremony, hosted at our Chelmsford location. Interns sat side-by-side with the individuals who they had fostered relationships with over the course of the summer. Genie Nortelus, DDS Deputy Director in Diversity, attended the ceremony on behalf of Jerry Scott, founder and driving force behind the UYCP.

When asked to share their experiences, each student’s quote echoed a similar sentiment: this was a lifechanging experience. Benjamin Waithe, a peer mentor, had this to say, “It has been special to be part of the reason some small activities and relationships happen that can mean so much to an individual. I’ve learned a lot about the field of human services as well as some of the gaps in services that we are aiming to fill.”

The Summer Program may have ended, but that doesn’t mean that the experiential learning will. The ASD Peer Mentoring Program is in its first year — giving interns the opportunity to mentor adults on the Autism Spectrum through group events and one-on-one meetups.  By leveraging our collective expertise as a newly merged organization, and with full support from DDS, the possibilities are endless! As always, thank you to the students involved in the UYCP and we look forward to continuing this journey with you.