Walnut Street Center, Inc

Walnut Street Center is a Medford nonprofit that has supported adults with intellectual disabilities in Greater Boston for more than 55 years. Its services include day habilitation programs with professional nursing, clinical and therapeutic care, community-based day supports focused on volunteering and employment preparation, homes in local neighborhoods with round-the-clock care, and independent living supports for people setting up homes of their own. The aim is to help each person build independence and a more meaningful life.

One participant the center has profiled, a young man with autism from Everett, attends a day program that blends community-based and day habilitation services. Through the center he takes part in life skills, pre-vocational and educational groups, does detailed work at the Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown and spends time with the animals at the Stone Zoo in Stoneham. The program also gives participants opportunities to access the wider community.

What to Know

• Day program clinical services include speech, occupational and physical therapy plus nursing support.
• Volunteers can join Boston Buddies or help with community activities.
• The center is hiring compassionate professionals for its programs.
• Donations fund its programs directly.