We are proud to share that Stephanie Reed, Assistant Director of Brain Injury Services at Incompass Human Services, was recognized at the 8th Annual Distinguished Young Professional Awards on June 10, 2025.
Each year the Lowell Chamber of Commerce hosts this event to celebrate rising leaders who demonstrate outstanding professional growth, community impact, and commitment to excellence, the Distinguished Young Professional Awards shine a light on individuals who are making a meaningful difference in their fields—and Stephanie’s accomplishments exemplify just that.
Stephanie joined the Incompass team in 2022 as a “Care Champion,” bringing with her a strong passion for person-centered care and innovative program development. Since then, she has continued to grow within the organization, earning a promotion to Assistant Director of Brain Injury Services. In this new role, she oversees the expansion and enhancement of services offered through our Safe Minds Community Center, which supports individuals with acquired brain injuries, as well as those with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities.
Her leadership and dedication have been instrumental in advancing our mission to provide compassionate, comprehensive support to the people we serve. Stephanie has also played a key role in program development, staff training, and building meaningful community partnerships that enhance quality of life for the individuals in our care.
“Stephanie’s recognition as a Distinguished Young Professional is incredibly well-deserved,” said Jean Phelps, CEO of Incompass Human Services. “She brings heart, vision, and purpose to everything she does, and her impact can be felt across our organization.”
Please join us in congratulating Stephanie on this well-earned achievement!
An unforgettable evening of inclusion, joy, and baseball magic.
On June 3rd, individuals and staff the Incompass Human Services Group Home Program recently had the unforgettable experience of attending Disability Pride Night at Fenway Park, and the night was nothing short of magical.
From the moment they arrived, our individuals and staff were filled with excitement and joy, soaking in the energy of the ballpark and proudly representing the disability community. But what made this year’s event truly special wasn’t just the celebration, it was the 2025 Red Sox Disability Pride jerseys as well.
Blending Boston baseball tradition with the vibrant colors and symbolism of the Disability Pride flag, the custom-designed jerseys are being called the most accessible in Major League Baseball. Each jersey features:
High-contrast colors to support visual accessibility
Velcro buttons for easier use by individuals with fine motor challenges
Braille lettering spelling out “Red Sox” on the right sleeve — a meaningful and inclusive touch that made a big impression on our group
Smiles stretched from ear to ear as our individuals cheered on the Sox, shared snacks, and felt the powerful sense of belonging that only Fenway Park can offer on a night like this. When we thought the evening couldn’t get any more magical, the Red Sox won the game with a walk-off home run, sending the crowd into a frenzy and capping off an already unforgettable night.
Thank you to the Boston Red Sox for creating such an inclusive and welcoming event. We’re already counting down the days to next year!
As we turn the page on a truly momentous month of May here at Incompass Human Services, I want to take a moment to reflect on all that we’ve accomplished together—and the profound impact it’s having on the people and families we serve.
It was a month that began with our annual Stride for a Cause Kentucky Derby Day fundraiser at The Barn at Gibbet Hill. Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, community partners, and event attendees, we raised tens of thousands of dollars to directly support our programs and services. The spirit in the room was electric as Care Champions, families, and friends came together in their finest derby attire to celebrate a mission that unites us all: empowering people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and acquired brain injuries to live full and meaningful lives. And as you can see from the pictures in the story below, we had a lot of fun while doing it!
May also marked a major milestone on the residential front, as we hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Ironstone Farm in Andover to celebrate the launch of our newest residential program. The home—fully accessible and thoughtfully renovated—represents the next chapter in our collaboration with Ironstone and Challenge Unlimited. Program participants, families, Incompass and Ironstone staff, and representatives from the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) were all in attendance. As Ironstone CEO Kerri Whalen said in her remarks, it was a powerful reminder of what’s possible when organizations come together with shared values and a deep belief in the potential of people. Oh, and we had fun on this day too!
Of course, with the arrival of warm weather comes a renewed energy across all of our Incompass programs. Day program participants are spending more time outdoors as their gardens begin to bloom, our TREE program participants are doing incredible landscaping work around town, group home residents are attending more community events – including a Boston Celtics playoff game, and our staff are creating new opportunities for engagement at every turn. Community inclusion is not just a program goal—it’s a reflection of dignity, independence, and the vibrant lives our Care Champions help nurture.
In every corner of the agency, you can feel the momentum. And as we head into the summer months, I couldn’t be more excited for what’s to come. Thank you for being part of this journey, for supporting our work, and most importantly—for supporting the people we serve.
We are thrilled to share some incredible news from our Safe Minds Community Center. Zach and Shawn, two dedicated participants in the program have been recognized as Volunteers of the Month at Ironstone Farm! This well-deserved honor highlights the remarkable contributions these two make every week as valued members of the Ironstone community.
Zach and Shawn travel to Ironstone Farm in Andover three times a week through our partnership, and their presence has quickly become an essential part of the farm’s daily duties. Whether they’re throwing hay, assisting with lunch feedings, grooming horses, or simply helping out wherever needed, Zach and Shawn show up ready to work with a smile and a positive attitude.
“Zach and Shawn show up ready to work, with huge smiles and an eagerness to learn,” shared Ironstone Farm in their social media announcement. “Their consistency, care for the horses, and positive presence make a meaningful difference here.”
At Incompass, we’ve always known how committed Zach and Shawn are to their work. Their recognition at Ironstone is a testament not only to their reliability, but to the values that drive our programs, community engagement, personal growth, and celebrating every individual’s strength and contribution.
Ironstone Farm is a therapeutic riding center known for its inclusive, welcoming environment. The partnership between Ironstone and Incompass has provided opportunity for Safe Minds participants to engage with animals, connect with others, and develop important life and vocational skills.
Please join us in congratulating Zach and Shawn on this well-earned recognition! We are so proud to see their hard work and dedication being celebrated by our community partners.
Last year, Incompass applied to participate in the inaugural national Community Life Engagement (CLE) in Action Community of Practice workgroup—a collaborative virtual forum where service provider organizations share ideas and resources to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in meaningfully engaging with their communities.
The CLE in Action initiative is a joint effort led by the Institute on Disability at the University of New Hampshire (IOD), the Institute for Community Inclusion at UMass Boston (ICI), and the American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR). The program’s goal is to advance access to and participation in community life as part of a meaningful day for people with IDD. CLE activities may include volunteering, civic involvement, recreation, fitness, engagement with faith communities, and other inclusive pursuits that people with and without disabilities enjoy outside of their work lives.
As part of the application process, each participating organization was required to form a team consisting of a direct support professional, a front-line manager, and a senior leader. Representing Incompass in this yearlong workgroup are:
Michael Bloom, Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer
Krystina Castillo, CBDS Program Manager
Gillian Feld, Chief Operating Officer
Brandon Hewitt, Direct Support Professional
Emily Horn, Director of Day Services
Throughout the year, participating organizations have been invited to present challenging individual or organizational scenarios for collaborative discussion and problem-solving. At the May 13, 2025, session, Brandon and Emily volunteered to present a case that sparked rich dialogue and thoughtful feedback from the group. Notably, Brandon became the first direct support professional to lead a case presentation—a significant and well-received milestone that brought valuable frontline perspective to the discussion.
As the workgroup concludes its efforts in July, the Incompass team is eager to reflect on the insights and resources shared over the past year and apply them to enhance our meaningful day services moving forward.
And We’re Off… to Say THANK YOU! The 2025 Stride for a Cause: Kentucky Derby Party was another one for the books! On Saturday, May 3rd, our community came together in style, raising tens of thousands of dollars in support of the Incompass mission and the individuals we serve. The Stride for a Cause has long been a staple event for our community, and this year’s event was once again filled with unforgettable moments.
“The energy at this year’s Derby Party was incredible, and it speaks volumes about our community’s commitment to inclusion and care,” said Jean Phelps, CEO of Incompass Human Services. “Every ticket, every raffle entry, every sponsor, contributes to life-changing supports for the people we serve. I am so grateful to our community.”
Highlights from the Day
Our community brought their energy to The Barn at Gibbet Hill, and where they were treated to a lively afternoon filled with excitement, entertainment, and unforgettable moments. From the thrilling Leader Board raffle to the Best Hat and Best Dressed contests, the spirit of the Derby was alive and well in Groton!
What’s a Derby Party without picking winning horses!?!? Congratulations to each of our Leader Board raffle winners:
1st Place – Vincent Geromini, member of the Incompass Board of Directors, who generously donated his entire prize back to Incompass! (Pictured Above)
2nd Place – Donna Arbo
3rd Place – Michael Bloom
This year’s prize raffle was our largest ever, featuring Red Sox tickets to high-end electronics, we gave away nearly 20 prize packages to some lucky attendees. And of course, every raffle ticket purchased helps fund programs that impact the lives of the individuals we serve.
Dressed to Impress
Were we in Groton or Louisville? This year the bar was once again raised for our Best Hat and Best Dressed contests. Congratulations to our winners and thank you to everyone who came dressed to impress!
Best Hat: Shola Ojudun
Best Dressed: Bridget Trepsas
Honoring a Legacy
We proudly recognized Steve Geoffroy for his dedication and leadership during his 27 years serving on the Incompass Board of Directors. His service has left a lasting legacy on us all, and big shoes to fill. Your passion and commitment to the Incompass mission is incredible; thank you Steve!
A Community That Cares
“Our mission is stronger because of the community that surrounds us,” said Incompass Board Chair Brad MacDougall. “Seeing so many people turn out, not just to have fun, but to support the individuals and families who rely on Incompass is truly moving. We’re so grateful for our community’s support.”
Of course, none of this would be possible without the generous support of our event sponsors, whose partnership is essential in helping us meet our goals. Please take a moment to view and support the incredible businesses and organizations that made this day so special.
Relive the Magic
Missed the party or want to relive the highlights? Check out our social media recap for event highlights and view the full photo gallery by Luciana Calvin Photography. Thank you for making the 2025 Kentucky Derby Party a resounding success. We’re already counting down to next year’s event on May 2, 2026 – see you there!
