Maybe you’ve heard this before, but there’s something truly special about Incompass Human Services! Over the past decade leading our human resources team, one of the most cherished parts of my job is recognizing the incredible contributions of our Care Champions who enable us to deliver on a mission that truly impacts the lives of so many people in our communities. But this past month has been especially meaningful — because others outside our organization are taking notice too! In June, numerous Care Champions had the privilege of attending three separate events where Incompass staff were honored for their excellence, and I can’t express how proud I was to be in the room cheering them on.
These award recipients and honorees exemplify everything our culture stands for — compassion, empowerment, and a deep commitment to helping the people we serve live their best lives. They bring heart, skill, and dedication to their work every day, and they do it not for recognition, but because it’s who they are. They’re Care Champions through and through. I encourage you to read about each of them in this month’s newsletter!
But this fact also puts into focus for me of the strongest affirmations of our culture…that so many of our new team members come to Incompass through referrals from existing staff. It’s incredibly telling — and deeply meaningful — that our Care Champions are not only proud to work here, but actively encourage others to join our team and be part of something meaningful. When the people who know our culture best are our most passionate recruiters, it speaks volumes about the environment we began building when our founding families came together 70 years ago to form what it is now Incompass Human Services.
To all of our Care Champions — thank you. Your dedication, heart, and talent are the reason Incompass is such an extraordinary place. And to everyone who is a part of our cherished community, I wish you and yours a joyful, restful, and sunny summer!
We’re proud to share that three of our outstanding Care Champions were recognized at this year’s DDS North Shore Recognition Event!
Nichole Laczynski, Residential Operations Manager, received the prestigious North Star Citation, awarded to those who demonstrate unwavering guidance, consistency, and dependability. Nichole’s steady leadership and dedication have made a lasting impact across our residential programs, and this recognition speaks volumes about her commitment to those we serve.
Sarah Kozel, Referral Coordinator, was honored with the Radiance Citation, celebrating individuals who ignite positive change, creativity, and new energy. Sarah’s enthusiasm and innovation have strengthened our referral process and inspired her colleagues throughout the organization.
Winnie Njane, ISS/IHS Nurse, received the DDS Provider Recognition Award, a special statewide honor presented to a select group of outstanding staff across the DDS system. Winnie’s compassion, professionalism, and tireless advocacy truly set her apart, and we’re thrilled to see her work celebrated on this level.
Please join us in congratulating Nichole, Sarah, and Winnie on these well-earned recognitions!
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 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!
It was a fun-filled weekend for individuals, family members, and staff from our residential program, who made the most of the beautiful weather with two great community events!
On Saturday June 7th, they participated in the Huntington’s Disease Walk at Castle Island in Boston, taking in the ocean views while showing their support for a meaningful cause. Then on Sunday, they were out on the water again for a relaxing and rewarding Fishing Day hosted by the Tyngsboro Rotary Club.
We’re so grateful for opportunities like these that bring people together, and we’re looking forward to many more memorable moments this summer!
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.
