On Saturday, December 6th, the Incompass Human Services community came together for one of the most cherished celebrations of the year, our Annual Holiday Party. The festive evening brought together the Individuals we serve, their family members, and Incompass staff for a night filled with joy, connection, and holiday spirit.
Guests arrived dressed in their holiday best, filling the venue with holiday colors, big smiles, and plenty of seasonal cheer. New memories were made as everyone joined together to celebrate the year. Whether sharing laughter at their tables, striking their holiday poses for photos, or lighting up the dance floor, attendees brought energy that made the night unforgettable.
This special evening would not have been possible without the support of our event sponsors and partners, whose generosity helped create a magical experience for all. We extend our heartfelt thanks to our event sponsors, as well as to the talented vendors who brought the night to life: Photographer Luciana Calvin, Terry our Emcee from Crown Special Events, and Wood Brothers Florist. Their contributions ensured that every detail, the music, the table center pieces, and the captured moments were an amazing reflection of the warmth and joy of the season.
As we close out another year, the Annual Holiday Party serves as a beautiful reminder of what makes Incompass so special: a community grounded in compassion, connection, and celebration. We’re grateful to everyone who joined us for this year’s festivities and look forward to carrying this holiday spirit into the year ahead. Take a look below at a few moments from the event!
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By Brad MacDougall, Chair, Incompass Board of Directors
As we celebrated Thanksgiving, I found myself reflecting on how my experience on the Incompass Board has reframed how I view gratitude in action. To me, it looks like the everyday commitment of our Care Champions who show up with compassion, creativity, and resilience for the people we support. It looks like families placing their trust in us to empower their loved ones. And it looks like a community that believes in the power of accessibility and inclusion.
This holiday season I am deeply grateful to our Care Champions. You make Incompass what it is. You create safe, joyful, person-centered environments where the people we support are encouraged to dream big, learn new skills, and live full lives. You embody our founding families’ mission, and all of us on the Board are thankful for your unwavering dedication.
This is also the time of year that we launch our Give for Good campaign, a month-long effort to raise critical funds that directly enhance the experiences of the individuals we serve. While state funding covers the essentials, it does not cover many of the community-based activities that define the Incompass experience. Things like trips to Fenway Park, outings to museums, meals at local restaurants, inclusive celebrations, and the everyday adventures that bring joy and connection.
These moments matter. They build confidence and connections. They represent our commitment to inclusion, and they are only possible because of your generosity. So today, I’m asking for your support!
Give if you are able. Share the Give for Good campaign with friends, family, and your networks. And spread the word about the impact Incompass has on the individuals and families we proudly serve.
Every gift, no matter how large or small, makes a difference.
Thank you for being a part of our mission, and for being a champion for inclusion. At Incompass, we are all Care Champions, and I’m grateful for that every day of the year!
Before we headed into the long weekend, our Omni Way community came together for a fun and festive Thanksgiving celebration! We kicked things off with a scavenger hunt, where participants and staff teamed up solve clues, and check off every item on their hunt list.
After wrapped up the scavenger hunt, everyone gathered in their respective program rooms to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal complete with all the fixings. Once the plates were cleared and the last bites of pie were enjoyed, the celebration continued in the gym, where music, dancing, and lots of laughter filled the space.
The day was full of connection, joy, and gratitude, setting the perfect tone as we headed into the holiday break.
In November, nearly 600 human services professionals and advocates from Arc chapters across the country gathered in Charlotte for The Arc National Convention. Of course Incompass Human Services was represented, with agency leaders playing a prominent role over the course of the three-day event.
Incompass Opens the Convention With an AI-Focused Presentation
Incompass COO Gillian Feld and CMO Dan Esdale kicked off the convention as the very first presenters, leading a well-attended session on how Incompass is exploring artificial intelligence (AI) to empower staff and promote efficiency. Their session showcased how Incompass is adopting AI technologies to enhance communication, create marketing tools, and enhance data-driven operations, while emphasizing that the agency’s person-centered mission remains at the forefront of every decision.
Gillian and Dan highlighted use cases, staff training approaches, and the ethical framework guiding Incompass’ AI journey. Their presentation emphasized the guardrails that they have put in place, including an AI policy and restrictions on usage, to ensure that the tools are used appropriately and don’t replace the person-to-person nature of our work.
CEO Jean Phelps Presides at the National Awards Luncheon
Jean, who serves on The Arc of the U.S. Board of Directors and as Chair of The Arc’s National Conference of Executives, played a key leadership role throughout the week. A member of the event planning committee, she was integral in putting together a forward-thinking conference agenda. During the convention’s Awards Luncheon, Jean presided over the ceremony and offered heartfelt recognition of all honorees, celebrating their collective contributions to the mission of The Arc.
Massachusetts Shows Up in Force
Massachusetts boasted a strong presence in Charlotte, with a large contingent of attendees and several presenters from Arc chapters across the Commonwealth. Local leaders contributed to sessions on engaging youth in our work, fundraising, and community engagement, reinforcing the state’s impact on the national human services landscape. Among those chapters in attendance was Incompass affiliate The Arc of Opportunity, based in Fitchburg, MA.
Throughout the convention, attendees reflected on The Arc’s 75-year history, celebrating milestones in advocacy, rights expansion, and community inclusion. While we have much work to do, the energy in Charlotte recognized how far we have come and the transformative work ahead of us to ensure the individuals we serve live full and happy lives.
From the Massachusettes Department of Developmental Services Newsletter:
Renee set a goal of hiking all 48 of New Hampshire’s 4,000-foot peaks several years ago. After each summit, she would return home and tell her daughter, Kendra, all about it – the thrill of being in the fresh air, the struggles over the challenging inclines, and finally, the elation of reaching the top and taking in the spectacular vista.
Kendra, who will turn 22 in December, was born with Rett Syndrome. She had never before been able to hike with her mother. But thanks to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)/DDS Residential Prevention Program, Renee and Kendra were given a “hike bike” that enabled Kendra to join her mom on her next hike, New Hampshire’s Mt. Williard. They set off from the trailhead last month with Renee’s husband, Kevin, and her sister, Cherie, pushing Kendra in her bike up the mountain and over the rocky terrain.
“I love getting her out in the community,” Renee said. “We’ve done four wheeling, ATVing, tubing. But she always wanted to hike with me, and thanks to DESE and DDS, it was finally possible.”
“I’m glad I was behind the camera when we reached the top so no one could see my tears,” Renee said. “Seeing Kendra’s face as she took in the view is something I’ll never forget. Summiting was amazing. We felt all the feels getting to the top.”
From Renee:
“We’re so proud to share this achievement with all of you! We reached the summit, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the funding we received from the DESE program. These funds helped us acquire our Huckleberry Hiking Equipment, which was absolutely crucial for our journey. Thank you for helping us get to the top!“
