2024 Local Farmers Market list

Shopping at your local farmers market offers an unparalleled experience of flavor and freshness straight from the farm to your table. Unlike produce found in supermarkets, which is often picked prematurely, fruits and vegetables at farmers markets are allowed to ripen fully on the vine, ensuring peak taste and nutrition. Check out this list of 2024 local farmers markets below and embark on a journey of culinary discovery.

Eat fresh and delicious!

At a farmers market, you’re not just buying produce; you’re investing in quality and taste. Delight in fruits and vegetables that have been nurtured to perfection, bursting with flavor and vitality. Experience the joy of biting into a ripe tomato or savoring the sweetness of freshly picked strawberries. With each purchase, you support local farmers who take pride in delivering the freshest offerings straight from their fields to your basket.

Try something new!

Farmers markets are not just places to shop; they’re hubs of culinary creativity and community engagement. Strike up a conversation with local farmers eager to share their knowledge and passion for fresh, seasonal ingredients. Discover new recipes and cooking techniques that elevate the humblest of vegetables into gourmet delights. Whether you’re a novice cook or a seasoned chef, the farmers market is your playground for culinary experimentation and exploration.

Strengthening community!

Beyond the delicious produce and culinary delights, farmers markets play a vital role in fostering community connections. By supporting local farmers and businesses, you become a catalyst for economic growth and sustainability in your community. Forge meaningful relationships with growers and artisans who are dedicated to preserving the traditions of small-scale agriculture. Join in the vibrant tapestry of community life as you mingle with neighbors, sample local fare, and celebrate the abundance of the harvest season.

However, if you’re looking for something in a different town, you can also use this USDA Farmers Market search tool!

Communitas is committed to supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities – and their families – in the community.

Founded in 1954, Communitas has a long track record of advocating passionately while compassionately delivering services for people with disabilities that expand opportunities, empower people, support independence and enrich lives.

By eliminating barriers, expanding opportunities and supporting independence, we empower our people to lead full and meaningful lives. Whether you have a child, a transitioning adult, or older adult; we provide a safe environment with services that meet individual needs, whatever they are and however they change, while inspiring dreams.

Updated 3/27/24

We’re so excited to invite you to the 7th Annual CommUNITY Walk at Lake Quannapowitt in Wakefield! The CommUNITY Walk is an inclusive and accessible celebration of community. As a valued member of our community, we would love for you to join us and this family-friendly and pet-friendly event.  You can help to support Communitas while enjoying a fun-filled day!

The details

Date: Saturday, June 22, 2024
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Location: Lake Quannapowitt, Wakefield (at the Bandstand right across from the Upper Common)

Registration, Donation, or Sponsorship

Registration is free! Click the link below to register and get your free t-shirt! Your generous donation will help cover event costs. Your sponsorship will support Communitas in continuing to provide services and programing to families and people with Developmental Disabilities. Every contribution makes a difference. Check out some photos from our 2023 CommUNITY Walk!

• Family-friendly and pet-friendly atmosphere
• Fun activities for all ages
• Connect with your community while supporting a great cause
• Make an Impact
• Your participation and support enable us to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve. Together, we can create positive change and strengthen our community.

Spread the Word

Help us spread the word by sharing this event with your friends and family on social media. Let’s make this year’s CommUNITY Walk the best one yet! Join us as we come together to celebrate unity and make a lasting impact. We can’t wait to see you there!

What are we doing?	When does it start?
Registration & T-shirt pickup	10:00 a.m.
Opening Ceremony	10:20 a.m.
Pet Parade	10:30 a.m.
Short Stroll or the Full 5 K	At your leisure, starting after 10:45 a.m.
Games, Arts and Crafts	At your leisure, starting after 10:45 a.m.
Dance Party with DJ Kevin Sullivan	At your leisure, starting after 10:45 a.m.
Lunch with Zaika Indian Bistro	11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Closing Ceremony	12:15 p.m.

A long history of empowering people

Communitas was founded in 1954 (formerly known as EMARC) and has a long track record of advocating passionately while compassionately delivering services for people with disabilities that expand opportunities, empower people, support independence and enrich lives. Communitas welcomes, values, respects and supports people of all abilities. Our mission is to meet individual needs – whatever they are and however they change – while inspiring dreams. We advocate passionately while compassionately delivering services and programs that expand opportunities, empower people, support independence and enrich lives.

Values we live by

Communitas is dedicated to delivering individualized, family-centered support, programs and services for people with disabilities, across their lifespan and in their communities. We are inspired by and committed to our people as we meet their changing needs and create new pathways for growth.

We offer Family Support, Residential Services, Day Services, and Recreational Programs, as well as employment and volunteering opportunities, for more than 1,000 families from Everett, Lynn, Lynnfield, Malden, Medford, Melrose, North Reading, Reading, Saugus, Stoneham, Wakefield and surrounding communities.  By eliminating barriers, expanding opportunities and supporting independence, we empower our people to lead full and meaningful lives. Whether you have a child, a transitioning adult, or older adult; we provide a safe environment with services that meet individual needs, whatever they are and however they change, while inspiring dreams

_{Tim Foley, Associate Director Wakefield Career Services}

Hoang Nguyen gets excited about work. She looks forward to her days in Wakefield Career Services! Her current job collecting trash from all the wastebaskets and sanitizing the door handles in the building. COVID still hasn’t totally disappeared and Hoang knows that her efforts are for good purposes in helping to keep the facility clean and safe for others.

Hoang has great skills that have served her well in becoming a detailed and thorough worker. She is polite, focused and serious about doing quality work. If you were to compliment Hoang on how well she is doing a particular task such as sanitizing a door handle, she may offer specific information on how she learned and give credit to who taught her the technique.

Hoang seems happiest when working. When others may choose to take a day off work on their birthday, Hoang is already talking about wanting to work on her birthday. Hoang also has an artistic/craft side where she enjoys drawing, painting on canvases that she makes from scratch and makes wallets out of duct tape.

Promoting Independence with Career Services

Communitas partners with community businesses that offer work opportunities in Group Supported Employment. One-on-one coaching and support are available for individuals who are work-ready and gainfully employed.

Integrated Groups

Integrated Groups are designed to provide support to those who prefer the option of attending Life Skills learning, as well as opportunities to participate in vocational services. This model incorporates a split schedule throughout the week; individuals can participate in both Life Skills and Career Services. Integrated Groups provides four areas of support that are interchangeable and can be used as stepping stones to progress with vocational skills.

Individual Support

One-on-one coaching and support are available for Individuals who are work-ready or gainfully employed. One-on-one job seeking and coaching takes place by using personal profile career plans. When an individual is successful in finding paid employment and sufficiently skilled at their position, hands-on support will fade out.

Community Based Day Support

This includes visiting job sites, vocational skill-building, and gaining community connections. Examples include certified training opportunities in money management, or developing safety skills in the home provided by local firefighters at a Sheriff Department.

Group Employment

Our Group Employment Program supports a number of individuals in paid employment opportunities with staff on-hand to support group-based work. Communitas has partnerships with a number of companies that provide Group Employment opportunities to our Communitas Career Services. 

A Spectacular Day of Inclusivity and Togetherness

After a long hiatus, the 2023 CommUNITY Walk finally returned, and what an extraordinary day it turned out to be! The event had something for everyone. From a lively Pet Parade sponsored by DogWatch to thoughtful amenities like the Water Station and Pet Comfort Station sponsored by Prosper Solutions. With a delicious lunch hosted by the Muni family and catered by Zaika Indian Bistro, a DJ Kevin Sullivan Dance Party, and a creative Arts & Crafts table hosted by Communitas In-Home Supports, there was no shortage of excitement. Amidst all the activities, what truly made the day unforgettable was the enthusiastic participation of YOU – our incredible community.

“I loved the camaraderie, sense of community, the joy on the faces of everyone dancing.”

The CommUNITY Walk has been a labor of love since its inception in 2016. While we had to take a break for a while due to the pandemic, we were thrilled to bring it back this year. And it wouldn’t have been the same without your support and involvement. This event is designed with inclusivity in mind, welcoming individuals of all backgrounds, abilities, and ages. It caters to those with physical, developmental, and intellectual disabilities, embodying the spirit of unity and togetherness.

” This made my entire weekend. It makes me happy to see dedicated individuals and supportive community members.”

At its core, the CommUNITY Walk is a self-paced, individual, and team event that encourages everyone to participate. It provides an opportunity for our community to come together, engage in healthy activities, and most importantly, have a fantastic time. It’s a celebration of the bonds that unite us as a community, and your presence made this celebration all the more special.

“It really is about relationships and connecting with people so just having the event where everyone – participants, family members, staff and friends get together is the best.”

As we look back on the 2023 CommUNITY Walk, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you who joined us. Your enthusiasm, energy, and commitment to inclusivity and togetherness made this day a resounding success. We cannot wait to continue this tradition in the years to come, with the hope of making each CommUNITY Walk even more remarkable than the last.

Thank you for being an essential part of our community and for making the 2023 CommUNITY Walk an event to remember. We look forward to seeing you again next year as we walk hand in hand towards a brighter, more inclusive future.

We would also like express our gratitude to our Sponsor!

MVP Level Sponsors
Prosper Solutions
Muni Family: Team MegRo
Communitas Board of Directors

VIP Level Sponsors
Leonard, Mulherin & Greene

Champion Level Sponsors
DogWatch
Clougherty Home Improvement
A&R Construction

All-Star Level Sponsors
Eastern Pharmacy
Mark, Cheri & Ashley
The Dorflinger Family
Tonneson + Co

We want to extend additional heartfelt thanks to our dedicated volunteers and CommUNITY Walk Planning Group, whose unwavering support and hard work made this event possible. We’d also like to express our deep appreciation to the incredible generosity of over 80 individuals who made individual donations. It is your selflessness and kindness that truly strengthens our CommUNITY and makes it thrive.

We are excited to announce that Communitas has applied for renewal of our accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) for both our Day Services programs and our Adult Family Care program. CARF, a distinguished accreditor specializing in health and human services agencies, will conduct a survey at our organization on October 30th and 31st, 2023.

Accreditation demonstrates a provider’s commitment to continuously improve service quality and to focus on the satisfaction of the persons served.

CARF’s mission, since its establishment in 1966, is to enhance the lives of those served by promoting service quality, value, and optimal outcomes. It has conducted assessments for hundreds of thousands of programs globally. Maintaining CARF accreditation entails a commitment to continuous quality improvement, tailored services, and results monitoring. CARF-accredited providers adhere to rigorous standards, demonstrating adherence to best business practices and a dedication to ongoing quality enhancement. Our CARF accreditation reflects our commitment to improving efficiency, financial health, and service delivery, ultimately ensuring participant and family satisfaction.

This reaffirms our commitment to excellence and quality care, emphasizing our dedication to the community.

Our upcoming CARF survey will involve surveyors visiting our programs. The surveyors will engage with our staff, participants, families, and stakeholders, and conduct comprehensive tours of our facilities. CARF takes pride in recruiting surveyors with extensive experience in the human services field, specifically from CARF-accredited organizations. This unique selection process ensures that CARF surveyors possess a deep understanding of the field, allowing them to apply practical knowledge and real-world insights to their assessments.

Communitas has maintained CARF accreditation for our Day Habilitation programs since 2011, followed by our Adult Family Care program in 2018. Career Services joined our CARF-accredited programs in October 2020. We take great pride in these achievements and are happy to continue our partnership with CARF.

Values we live by

Commitment to our people

Communitas is dedicated to delivering individualized, family-centered support, programs and services for people with disabilities, across their lifespan and in their communities. We are inspired by and committed to our people as we meet their changing needs and create new pathways for growth.

Compassion for all

Communitas promotes compassion, equality, respect and community inclusion. We see people as people, and provide a place where everyone belongs, anyone can achieve, and each person plays a meaningful role.

Individualized for independence

Communitas is an agency of abilities, empowering people and inspiring dreams by erasing barriers, expanding opportunities, supporting independence and enriching lives. Our dedicated employees recognize the importance of self-determination. advocate passionately for each individual – so everyone has a choice and a voice.

Strength in teamwork

Communitas develops effective teams by engaging individuals and families as well as community partners and stakeholders – and by truly valuing everyone’s contributions. We’re committed to employee training and education that advances professional development and enhances our ability to support the people we serve.

High standards in everything we do

Communitas strives to exceed the highest standards of regulatory compliance and fiduciary transparency. And we promise to provide a safe, inviting, accessible, comfortable and secure environment for all.

We recently hosted our annual Longevity Luncheon, celebrating staff who hit key anniversaries with us. Celebrating staff who achieved their 5-, 10-, 15- and 20-year milestones with Communitas over the last year, we treated to lunch from Purple Carrot Bread Company, all arranged by Chelsea Wood, our Director of Human Resources. Paul Cote, Chief Executive Officer, welcomed staff and their supervisors, and thanked them for their contributions and continued dedication through the years.

Communitas is so lucky to have these folks who keep us on mission, ensuring that Communitas remains a place where we see people as people, and a place where everyone belongs, anyone can achieve, and each person plays a meaningful role.

Supporting Independence

Tom Brooks joined Communitas (then EMARC) in 2003, while still in high school he worked as an intern. Upon graduating high school, Tom joined the Career Services team as a Job Coach, supporting individuals to learn various tasks on the job site. In 2022, Tom switched gears and moved to the Family Services Division, where he now works as an In-Home Skills Trainer, working one-on-one with individuals to support them to increase their independence. Thank you, Tom, for 20 years!

Brittney Malionek was a college intern in 2007 when she began working with Communitas. After graduation she joined the staff as a Direct Support Professional before being promoted to Haven Street Program Director in 2008. In 2012 Brittney was once again promoted to her current position of Residential Program Coordinator, overseeing the comprehensive programming for individuals and staff in 5 community-based homes, and is celebrating 15 years!

Dana Carr is a member of the hard-working Maintenance Team. He joined Communitas in 2007 and is celebrating 15 years! Dana is out in the early morning hours, ensuring that the programs are ready to engage and support people.

Enriching Lives

Melissa Arvilla joined Communitas in 2013 and is celebrating 10 years! Melissa works as a Skills Instructor in our Beverly Day Hab program, where she supports people to achieve their goals. Melissa’s love for art and creativity helps her provide meaningful and fun art curriculum for her group and the program to enjoy.

Donna Plummer, who originally worked in the Men’s Res, took a few years hiatus, but returned to Communitas in 2013.  While she has worked in several Communitas community-based homes, she is currently the Assistant Program Director, where she works closely with staff to support 3 individuals in maintaining their independence and engaging with their communities.

Inspiring Dreams

Heather Donovan, celebrating 10 years with Communitas,started as a Direct Support Professional at our Newcomb Avenue community-based home, but she was later promoted to Program Director at Albion Street.  While working as a Program Director, Heather pursued her nursing degree.  After becoming a Registered Nurse, Heather transferred to the Adult Family Care program in the Family Services Division, where she is now the Lead RN, working with families whose adult children are living at home with them.

Kathy Heffernan is celebrating 10 years as a Family Coordinator with the Family Support Program. In addition to having her own caseload, Kathy works diligently to hire respite providers and skills trainers to provide families with additional support.

Empowering People

Julie O’Donnell joined Communitas in 2012.  As the Senior Revenue Accountant, Julie works closely with program management to ensure that billing is completed accurately, and in a timely manner.  Julie can always be counted on to participate in Communitas committees such as employee appreciation, the Communitas walk, and was a regular volunteer for our Gala.

Anna McLaughlin began her career at Communitas as a Skills Instructor, and then as a Lead Skills Instructor in our Woburn Day Services program.  In 2022, Anna became the Woburn Day Hab Case Manager, and then in January of 2023 she accepted a promotion to her current position of Woburn Day Services Assistant Director.  Anna is a positive and reliable source of support for our individuals and staff.

Clina Pyram is celebrating 10 years with Communitas as a Direct Support Professional at our Albion Street program, but she transferred to the Newcomb Avenue community-based home, where she has been since 2018. Communitas appreciations Clina’s dedication to supporting the individuals in the home and is always working towards helping them to be more independent.

Celebrating 5 years with Communitas!

• Alexia Colton, Direct Support Professional, Residential Relief
• Atinuke Adeyemo, Direct Support Professional, Albion Street
• Carline Gomez, Direct Support Professional, Residential Relief
• Daniella Nakanwagi, Direct Support Professional, Rustic Lane
• Gia Smith, Associate Director, Woburn Day Hab & Career Services
• Jenna Raymond, Lead Specialized Skills Instructor, Wakefield Day Hab
• Jessica Kuffour, Program Director, Newcomb Avenue
• Mike Senese, Transportation Director
• Michael Sseruyange, Assistant Program Director, Rustic Lane
• Samuel Yelotan, Direct Support Professional, Hopkins Street

Communitas is committed to supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities – and their families – in the community. We offer Family Support, Residential Services, Day Services, and Recreational Programs  – as well as employment and volunteering opportunities – for more than 1,000 families from Everett, Lynn, Lynnfield, Malden, Medford, Melrose, North Reading, Reading, Saugus, Stoneham, Wakefield and surrounding communities.

By eliminating barriers, expanding opportunities and supporting independence, we empower our people to lead full and meaningful lives. Whether you have a child, a transitioning adult, or older adult; we provide a safe environment with services that meet individual needs, whatever they are and however they change, while inspiring dreams.

Sheel Muni was recently honored by his employer, Winchester Hospital, for 21 years of service. Sheel, who joined Communitas Career Services in 1997, began working at Winchester Hospital Food Services Division in 2001. 

Our Career Services program offers employment-readiness learning, as well as one-on-one coaching and support for individuals who are work-ready or gainfully employed.  Folks enrolled in this program may be part of a skills learning group, or an employment exploration group.  They may then graduate into individualized job support services.

At this point in Sheel’s career at Winchester Hospital he is independent and doesn’t need Job Coaching.  Once a month the Career Services team will follow up with Sheel and Winchester Hospital, just to check in.

When an individual is successful in finding paid employment and sufficiently skilled at their position, hands-on support will fade out – but oversight of progress will continue to be monitored for overall work support.

“He’s always on time and looks his best.  They truly value Sheel as an employee”

Nicole Boudrow, Wakefield Day Services Director, says that Sheel, “has come a long way and is such a hard worker.  He loves going to work.  He is always sure he is on time and looks his best. They love him at Winchester Hospital and truly value him as an employee”.

Sheel is also supported by Communitas to live independently in the community. Nancy Holleran, Independent Home Supports Coordinator, says that Sheel was proud to be an essential employee, working throughout the pandemic. “Sheel takes his job very seriously, and it is important to him that he is always punctual and always dressed well for work.”

A long history of empowering people

Founded in 1954 and formerly known as EMARC, Communitas has a long track record of advocating passionately while compassionately delivering services for people with disabilities that expand opportunities, empower people, support independence and enrich lives.

Individualized for independence

Communitas is an agency of abilities, empowering people and inspiring dreams by erasing barriers, expanding opportunities, supporting independence and enriching lives. Our dedicated employees recognize the importance of self-determination and advocate passionately for each individual – so everyone has a choice and a voice.

We need your help to continue our mission

Communitas is a non-profit organization that delivers individualized, family-centered services, programs and support for people of all abilities, across their lifespan and in their communities.

Marlon is looking for a Skills Trainer to help him prepare and clean up after dinner on weeknights and to assist him in getting him to appointments.  The ideal candidate would have availability to work afternoons and early evenings during the week.  This would be a part-time position at roughly 20 hours a week.  The “perfect match” would be a mature person with a strong sense of self and an interest in cooking.  Marlon is outgoing and social and would thrive with someone who has well-grounded and realistic expectations.

Are you looking for part-time hours with a lifelong impact?

Marlon has been supported by Communitas for over 10 years.  He lives independently in his own apartment and had worked independently until the pandemic hit.  Marlon is a great guy with many interests including swimming, bowling, walking, and spending time with friends and his very supportive family. You could help mentor him on his journey to a more independent life.

Family Support Skills Trainers support people to live a more independent life.

If you enjoy getting out in the community and doing fun activities, this could be the perfect place for you! Would you like to earn a competitive wage while supporting others to explore their communities? Then think about joining our Family Support Skills Trainer Team! To learn more about Family Support Skills Instructors and Respite Providers, visit our Career Opportunities page, or contact our Human Resources Associate Tanner Moquin at 781-587-2242.

Individualized, family-centered services, programs, and support

Successfully caring for a loved one with developmental disabilities requires a strong and reliable partner; one who will provide moral support and offer guidance through necessary steps in an effort to secure the right services and programs to fit your unique set of needs. Every family relationship we have is built on open one-on-one communication. We focus on relieving the stress of care-giving while enabling individuals to successfully live with their families across their lifespan and in their community.

Relationships, guidance, growth

With over six decades of experience providing assistance and strengthening families’ capacities to support their family members. We are experts that provide pertinent information and advocacy, help with the procurement and coordination of in-home support and coordinate networking opportunities.

A long history of empowering people

Founded in 1954 and formerly known as EMARC, Communitas has a long track record of advocating passionately. All while compassionately delivering services for people with disabilities that expand opportunities, empower people, support independence and enrich lives.

Jackie is an engaging woman in her forties who is looking for a Family Support Skills Instructor. She is very social and loves getting out into the community.  Her family is aging, and consequently they are not able to support her to get out as much as they would like to.

Jackie is looking for a Family Support Skills Instructor.

The ideal staff would be available two or three days a during the week.  Jackie would love support to spend more time out in the community after she gets out of Day Program. So ideally her Skills Instructor would be available after 3:30 p.m.  She would enjoy spending two to three hours going for walks, playing cards, having discussions, or just spending time out in the community.

Are you friendly and outgoing? Would you like to be a Family Support Skills Instructor?

This is a matching position, which means that applications will go through the Communitas hiring process, and then have a “match meeting” with the individual and their family to determine if it is a good fit. Pay for this Family Support Skills Instructor position is $18-$24, depending on experience.

A rewarding and fulfilling part-time career

Do you enjoy getting out in the community and doing fun activities? Would you like to earn a competitive wage while supporting others to explore their communities? Then think about joining our Family Support Respite Provider/Skills Trainer Team! To learn more about Family Support Skills Instructors and Respite Providers, visit our Career Opportunities page, or contact our Human Resources Associate Tanner Moquin at 781-587-2242.

Individualized, family-centered services, programs, and support

Successfully caring for a loved one with developmental disabilities requires a strong and reliable partner; one who will provide moral support and offer guidance through necessary steps in an effort to secure the right services and programs to fit your unique set of needs. Every family relationship we have is built on open one-on-one communication. We focus on relieving the stress of care-giving while enabling individuals to successfully live with their families across their lifespan and in their community.

Relationships, guidance, growth

With over six decades of experience providing assistance and strengthening families’ capacities to support their family members. We are experts that provide pertinent information and advocacy, help with the procurement and coordination of in-home support and coordinate networking opportunities.

A long history of empowering people

Founded in 1954 and formerly known as EMARC, Communitas has a long track record of advocating passionately. All while compassionately delivering services for people with disabilities that expand opportunities, empower people, support independence and enrich lives.

Dear Communitas Friends and Families,

As 2021 comes to a close, we are incredibly thankful to all of you who have made Communitas such an inspirational place to live, work and thrive within our community. As we look forward to 2022 we are eager to make even greater strides toward renewing our bonds with more and more of our day and recreation program participants, many of whom we haven’t seen in person since the pandemic changed our world and ways of being together. Over the coming months with the promise of bringing more staff on-board and our re-doubled dedication to safety, we plan to build upon our foundation of empowering people and enriching lives!

As with anything that moves us, looking deeper beneath the surface allows others to experience the why and the who of our passion

I urge you to Learn more about us – for example, did you know that the original art work that anchors our web site are all the work of individual artists from our Day Programs? Please explore the source of their inspiration by viewing “What Art Means to Me”; feel the joy of finding a place that feels like home to new students in our Upward program who were able to create a place that never seemed possible before; and, when you View our Thank You video, you will understand the reward of giving that makes hopes and dreams come true.

Please, now more than ever contribute to our Year-End appeal to help sustain our core mission at a time more critical than ever to support people of all abilities and inspire them to follow their dreams!

There are four ways to donate:

• Sponsorship opportunities for businesses
• Online donations for families and individuals
• Text-to-donate by texting the word COMMUNITAS to 44-321
• Send a check to Communitas Inc, Attn: Donations, 60-D Audubon Road, Wakefield, MA 01880

Sincerely,
Paul

Paul J. Cote, Jr.
Communitas, Inc
(781) 587-2220

Our work of empowering people, inspiring dreams, and enriching lives would fall short without the recognition and generosity of our community support.

Throughout the summer, individuals across our programs decorated signs for community members they feel supported by. As an agency we visited our sponsors, Career Services employers, and community supporters to say “Thank You” for supporting Communitas.

Individuals across our agency chose who they wanted to thank, and how they wanted to decorate each sign.

Our work of empowering people, inspiring dreams, and enriching lives would be incomplete without the backing and generosity of our sponsors, community employers, and supporters.

To all who support Communitas, thank you for being a part of our community.

Community support allows us to enhance our programs through creative activities and helps us to fulfill our participants’ dreams. Our community contributes to a story that creates opportunities for those we serve; to grow, socialize and create lasting relationships. Their support aids a community united to invest in exceptional quality of life for people with developmental disabilities.

Today, you can join our mission, by helping support Communitas!

Communitas and Prosper Solutions are hitting the “lift off” button with the Sponsorship Announcement from Prosper, as well as the addition of an accessibility computer lab at our Woburn Day Program; donated, built and designed by Prosper. 

Fully space-themed, the computer lab’s décor includes planets, light-up chairs, and an eye-popping Communitas space ship!

Prosper Solutions are Passionate Supporters

In addition to the out-of-this-world computer lab, our longtime IT and technical solutions provider, Prosper Solutions, has generously joined Communitas as a Dreammaker Sponsor. Prosper’s CEO Steve Wojcik sat down in the new computer lab to discuss the process of creating a space-themed computer lab and value of working with Communitas. 

Not only is Prosper a first class all-things-tech provider, they are also passionate advocates and supporters. Thank you to everyone at Prosper Solutions! 

The Value of Communitas Sponsors

Communitas Sponsors elevate the services we provide. Without the support of our Sponsors, we would not be able to provide some of the magical moments that brighten experiences and enrich the lives of program participants at Communitas. 

You can learn more about our fundraising mission here. 

The Communitas Woburn Day Program has no trouble when it comes to bringing fresh and exciting activities to their program – and the first week of June 2021 was no different. Paleontology Week was a prehistoric hit at our Woburn Day Program – featuring Q&A sessions from Representatives Lewis, Ciccolo and Haggerty; as well as a series of interactive fossil exhibits conducted and designed by paleontologist Tara Lepore and her sister, Communitas community member Katrina Lepore. These paleontology activities were presented both online and in-person outdoors at our Woburn Day Program site.

The Massachusetts State Dinosaur

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To kick-off the three-day event, Massachusetts Representative Jack Patrick Lewis joined Woburn Zoom sessions to discuss his passion for dinosaurs, and his bill for the Massachusetts State Dinosaur, the Podokesaurus. The Podokesaurus is a dinosaur that would have lived in what is now Massachusetts, making it an ideal candidate for the title of Massachusetts State Dinosaur. Representatives Michelle Ciccolo and Richard Haggerty, of the 15th and 30th Representatives of Middlesex respectively, joined in to field questions and discussions. Together, the three of them shared their favorite dinosaurs (Lewis – Protoceratops, Ciccolo – Brachiosaurus, Haggerty – Tyrannosaurus rex), the process of creating bills, and much more!

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Fossils and Dinosaurs: Paleontology Fest

On June 3rd & 4th, special guest paleontologist Taormina (Tara) Lepore brought her prehistoric passion and scientific thinking to Woburn Day Program. Led by co-instructors Tara and her sister Katrina (who is also a Woburn participant), groups could participate in outdoor interactive activities, analyzing special fossil replicas as well as some real fossils, and thinking about each one. These activities provide an opportunity for individuals in our Woburn Day Program to put on their scientist caps – each activity station was based around thinking and questioning why certain aspects of fossils were shaped in specific ways, and why that might have been beneficial to each prehistorical animal.

Individuals were able to look at teeth and model skulls from Velociraptor, Tyrannosaurus rex, a Sabre-toothed Cat, and the molars of a mastodon – to discuss how we know certain animals eat meat by inspecting their teeth, as well as the evolution of teeth in meat-eaters and plant-eaters. Another activity included looking at the egg of an Oviraptor, as well as the skull of an early cousin to mammals – a cynodont. From here, individuals could make similarities and differences to the ways these dinosaurs and early mammals might have cared for babies, compared to how modern animals or humans care for their babies. Similar paleontology activities included how different dinosaurs use claws, as well as discussing the Geologic Timeline as a whole.

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Paleontologist and Co-Organizer: Tara Lepore

 recurring guest, Communitas family member and finishing up her 2^nd year in the PhD program at the University of California Berkeley’s Department of Integrative Biology, Tara brings accessibility and paleontological science to her students through college classroom teaching and public outreach. She is currently planning a PhD dissertation in vertebrate paleontology research and disability accessibility in science education.

Tara’s first lesson at Communitas took place in the summer of 2019. She and her sister Katrina created four hands-on lessons for participants. This included having groups design their own museum exhibit and jewelry case for the lobby of the new Communitas Woburn location. The four original activities included a fossil sort, a mold-and-cast plaster activity with clear plastic fossil replica trays, a plastic model T. rex skeleton build, and augmented reality (AR) interactives to build greater accessibility for all science learners. In addition, a laminated card sort activity with fossil information was produced by Communitas staff members, including Becky Mann, Marisa Cooke, Anna Cerminara, Kristen Toklucu and Rachel Pothier.

To build these activities, Tara takes her lead from the concept of self-advocacy in disability activism as described in James Charlton’s seminal book, Nothing About Us Without Us. The focus of this line of study and activism is to build disability self-advocacy into all work that involves people with disabilities.

As Tara says, “Growing up, Katrina and I would visit museums, and I always remember, even when we were kids, she had a hard time reading or accessing the exhibit content if there was written text [on the exhibit panels]. I felt bad that it was harder for her to interact with all of the details on the written panels in front of a display. It felt like many science exhibits weren’t designed to consider accessibility, at least not for those visitors who couldn’t read or had a hard time accessing content. One way to try and fix this is to ask people with disabilities what works for them, and bring them into the design process, a concept that is called self-advocacy.“

[The Nothing About Us Without Us] concept frames and outlines self-advocacy and self-determination, where people with disabilities are involved to the best of their abilities in decisions and learning outcomes that pertain to them; [this concept] expresses how important it is to build knowledge on what works for learners with disabilities by working with those individuals, rather than [only] making decisions externally.”

The Nothing About Us Without Us framework is the vehicle for these science education experiences – as Tara shares, “When people with disabilities are brought to the table in their own learning and advocacy, everybody moves forward positively.” Everyone has an opportunity to learn with inclusive design, a process that centers all learners in product and education design. Tara is hoping to use these activities as part of her research to provide more exciting and interesting inclusive activities in her future work as a paleontologist. As co-creator of these activities, Katrina Lepore also says, “Science is my favorite!” and she shares that museums, including the Communitas mini-museum, makes her feel happy. Katrina also shares that if anyone else wants to make a museum exhibit, it’s “easy” to do. Tara would like to thank her sister, the Communitas individuals, and staff for being such a great science team together.

Dan Tempesta           b:1932-d:2021       Transportation Driver

It is with regret and great sadness that we at Communitas announce the memorial Dan Tempesta Room, and the passing of our good friend and driver Daniel Tempesta, 88, who passed away on January 14^th, 2021.

In recognition of Dan’s 20 years of service, commitment and dedication to Communitas; Dan’s colleagues, program staff and individuals held a small ribbon cutting ceremony at our Wakefield Day program on February 23^rd, 2021 to dedicate a classroom in Dan’s name, The Dan Tempesta Room. Honored with a plaque above the classroom doorway in our Day Habilitation Department, The Dan Tempesta Room will be only the 4^th Communitas room to hold such an award.

Born on 10/30/1932, Dan served with the United States Marine Corps earlier in his life. He most recently worked at Communitas as a Transportation driver for 20 years. Dan was a dedicated member of the Transportation team, always engaged with and beloved by all who worked with him. In his spare time, his passion was spending time with his family and activities related to his home. At Communitas, Dan will be remembered most by the joy he brought to the people we serve.

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If you’re looking for something fun to do while you’re at home, consider these fun social distancing activities you can do alone or with a friend!

Local “Social Distancing” Activities:

• Many local restaurants are offering free delivery, and some even offer “contact free” delivery.  If you are able, consider supporting your independent local restaurants by ordering delivery or take-out!
• Call, Facetime, Skype or Facebook Video Chat friends and family!
• If the weather permits, and if no one is sick, go for a walk in your neighborhood, and make it a “no touch” scavenger hunt
  • Find traffic safety signs, street signs, safe crosswalks
  • Find different shapes
  • Find different types of animals or plants
  • Find different colors of cars
• If you have a smart speaker (like Alexa), you can play games on that!

Museum Virtual Tours

• Vatican City and St. Peter’s Basilica:   http://www.museivaticani.va/content/museivaticani/en/collezioni/musei/cappella-sistina/tour-virtuale.html
• National Air & Space Museum: https://airandspace.si.edu/stories/editorial/your-tour-through-national-air-and-space-museum
• Carnegie Museum, Pittsburgh: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udOrePHuP-Q
• The Louvre: https://www.louvre.fr/en/visites-en-ligne
• Acadia Museum: ://acadiamuseum.withgoogle.com/
• Several virtual tours: ://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/museums-galleries/museums-with-virtual-tours
• Boston Children’s Museum virtual tour:://www.bostonchildrensmuseum.org/museum-virtual-tour
• Ohio Craft Museum: ://my.matterport.com/show/?m=NTg9q4vdkCT&Play=1&ts=2&lp=1&st=3000
• National Air Force Museum: ://www.nmusafvirtualtour.com/

Nature Virtual Tours

• Take a Virtual Tour of Anywhere on Google Streetview: https://www.google.com/streetview/

• San Diego Zoo: https://www.weareteachers.com/virtual-field-trip-to-the-san-diego-zoo/
• Volcanos:
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAgBwBG5nVM
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5ogYZnFVsU
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_3DJufSyjo
• 10 Natural Phenomenon (weather): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bBKENJHZYc​
• Tour Yellowstone National Park: ://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/photosmultimedia/virtualtours.htm
• Explore the surface of Mars on the Curiosity Rover: https://accessmars.withgoogle.com/
• This Canadian site FarmFood 360 offers 11 Virtual Tours of farms from minks, pigs, and cows, to apples and eggs: https://www.farmfood360.ca/
• Great Wall of China: ://www.thechinaguide.com/destination/great-wall-of-china
• Everglades National Park (GoogleEarth): ://earth.google.com/web/@25.66078833,-80.76677088,6.97133415a,34.31584389d,60y,-66.72931818h,73.06319824t,0r/data=CjASLhIgMjE3MGE4ZjgyZWQ2MTFlOTlkNGQ0NWEzN2RiYmYzMTEiCmdjc19pdGluXzE

Live Cams

• Georgia Aquarium Webcams
  • Beluga Whale: ://www.georgiaaquarium.org/webcam/beluga-whale-webcam/
  • Jelly fish: ://www.georgiaaquarium.org/webcam/jelly-webcam/
  • Penguins: ://www.georgiaaquarium.org/webcam/african-penguin-cam/
  • Ocean Voyager: ://www.georgiaaquarium.org/webcam/ocean-voyager/
• Cincinnati Zoo daily live streaming: ://www.facebook.com/cincinnatizoo/
• African Wildlife Live Cams: ://explore.org/livecams/african-wildlife/african-watering-hole-animal-camera
• Puppies (live stream): ://explore.org/livecams/currently-live/service-puppy-cam
• Boston Central’s list of virtual tours and live cams: ://www.bostoncentral.com/virtual-tours-animal-web-cams
• Eagles: ://www.dnr.state.mn.us/features/webcams/eaglecam/index.html
• Kittens: ://explore.org/livecams/kitten-rescue/kitten-rescue-cam

Get Physical

• YouTube has great videos for activities and crafts:
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaoV1PrYft4
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNC3ukSqGAU
• DJ Mel Facebook Live Dance Party: ://www.facebook.com/DJ-Mel-48330349120/
• 20 minute yoga podcasts:://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/20-min-yoga-sessions-from-yogadownload-com/id259744514
• Y360 (free for limited time): //www.youtube.com/channel/UCOGt_IpceP_xQhhCMCrut_A
• Chair Yoga:://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Afhjrk3YS1g&feature=youtu.be
• QuarantTunes Virtual Dance Party:://twitter.com/BenSPLATT/status/1239629649929437186

Games

• Dr. Seuss: ://www.seussville.com/
• Draw A Stickman Adventures: ://www.drawastickman.com/
• Free online games: ://www.arkadium.com/free-online-games/
• More free online games: ://www.kiloo.com/en/kids-games/
• Even more free online games: ://thegamerstop.com/
• Bingo Baker: ://bingobaker.com/
• Crossword Labs: ://crosswordlabs.com/
• Jeopardy Labs: ://jeopardylabs.com/
• Testmoz: ://testmoz.com/
• WordSearch Labs: ://wordsearchlabs.com/
• The Word Search: ://thewordsearch.com/maker/edit/
• The Word Search: ://puzzlemaker.discoveryeducation.com/WordSearchSetupForm.asp

Music

• Seattle Symphony: https://www.youtube.com/seattlesymphony
• #TogetherAtHome (John Legend) concerns on Twitter: ://twitter.com/hashtag/TogetherAtHome?src=hashtag_click
• Berliner Philarmoniker: https://www.digitalconcerthall.com/en/home
• Keith Urban: https://www.instagram.com/p/B90JN2kBdsE/
• Yo-Yo Ma: https://twitter.com/search?q=%23songsofcomfort&src=typed_query
• Dropkick Murphys Streaming Up From Boston: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5j06g0TE_Ao
• Stay at Home Fest: https://www.stayathomefest.com/

Classes/Learning

• Learn Card Tricks for Free: https://www.goodtricks.net/
• Online history classes for all ages preteen through  adults:   https://school.bighistoryproject.com/bhplive
• Biology  https://www.biologysimulations.com/
• Digital archive of history  https://www.bunkhistory.org/
• Variety of free classes https://www.coursera.org/
• Duolingo https://www.duolingo.com/?fbclid=IwAR2tdKW7x_30CY-ikzUtaCuQxB8p-BVejryrPSMCRiw3neP5Br9rKKI7jRw
• ASL online
  • https://www.lifeprint.com/
  • http://aslnook.com/
  • https://theaslapp.com/

And be sure to return to our website for the latest Communitas news and events!

Coming on the cusp of the holiday season, Wakefield Day Program performed their adaptation of Why The Grinch Stole Christmas.

The play featured singing, an original script and a home-made set. Room 14’s rendition of The Grinch came with a message; that we should celebrate our differences!

The Grinch leaves Whoville because of how the Who’s treated him. When they accept The Grinch and like him for who he is, his heart grows three sizes larger.
            The story follows The Grinch as he arrives at his parents’ house, and later during his time in elementary school. In school, The Grinch is picked on because he made a special ornament for the person he loves, Martha May. His classmates pick on The Grinch until he retreats to Mt. Crumpet.

            After 30 years, The Grinch decides to do something about the holiday cheer in Whoville and all the Who’s that picked on him for being different. When they celebrate him for being different, the Grinch learns the meaning of holiday cheer. Audience members raved about the play, saying “I thought they did a great job acting, they should do another play!” and “The show was awesome!”

            Wakefield’s Ian Margeson wrote and orchestrated the play. “This was my first ever experience writing producing and directing a play. It was nerve racking at times, but was overall one of the best experiences I’ve had. I am very new to this field, but have very quickly found myself a home and career. Being able to work with these individuals has been nothing short of rewarding. Everyone played a part to make this first play happen. Everyone from the beginning was very excited to put on a play, not only about the Grinch, but centered around bullying and its effects on our spirit.”

It was a team effort that took practice and hard work in order to craft a wonderful show. Individuals from Room 14 practiced Why The Grinch Stole Christmas for weeks and crafted the set with help from Kristina in Room 10, Sean Cusack and Patrick of Communitas’ Woburn program, among others. “I am so proud of all their hard work with painting and making the set, to reading their lines at a proper volume and being in front of easily 50 people.”

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Ian was quick to say he has plans in the works, “I really look forward to the next play. I plan to do a musical and expand it to the other integrated room.”
            To end the show, the actors asked everyone to celebrate in an original song of holiday spirit. It was a perfect way to end the performance, and a wonderful way to encapsulate the spirit of the holiday season and the spirit of Communitas, showing we are better together.

“Everyone from the beginning was very excited to put on a play, not only about the Grinch, but centered around bullying and its effects on our spirit.”

To stay tuned on what’s happening at Communitas, be sure to check out the Events Page on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

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