Care Champions,
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.
With Gratitude,
Michael Bloom
Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer