Over its nearly forty years of operation, NWW has earned a reputation for treating each individual and family with respect and for providing services that embody the best practices in the field. NWW manages six group homes for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities as well as an independent living program for those able to maintain their own homes. In addition, NWW offers social work services, recreational programs, internships and volunteer opportunities.
NWW has a prestigious two-year Certification with Distinction from the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services in recognition of its outstanding services, staff and housing.
Nancy Slamin, LICSW, NWW's Executive Director, is a past recipient of the the Robert Swett Excellence in Housing Award, which recognizes an individual or organization that has made a positive impact on the lives of Newton's low and moderate income residents in the field of housing.
The nomination of Ms. Slamin stated, in part: "The introduction of [people with intellectual and developmental disabilities] as neighbors has broken down the barriers of prejudice. Instead of their proximity being perceived as a drain on property values, they have become symbols of the diversity we prize in Newton. We all learn substantially from being part of a community that has many different kinds of people. Nancy has been on the vanguard of implementing this philosophy. We owe her much."
Carol Beard, NWW board member and past president, and Richard Beard, former board member and member of NWW's human rights committee, received the Gunnar Dybwad Leadership Award from the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services in 2006. This annual award is given to those individuals who exemplify the spirit, creativity and dedication of Gunnar Dybwad, the internationally renowned scholar and pioneer in community inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Carol was also a founder of Understanding Our Differences, the disability awareness program of the Newton Public Schools that has been a model for communities across the nation.
In 2008, the artwork of three NWW artists was shown at "An Evening of Very Special Art," an event sponsored by the Arc of Massachusetts at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. Some of their paintings are on permanent display at the NWW office.
In 2011, Mary Margaret Pappas, NWW's Director of Community Relations and a former board member and officer, received the City of Newton's Human Rights Award in recognition of her efforts to foster the rights of people with disabilities. In addition to her work with NWW, Ms. Pappas was the first Executive Director of Understanding Our Differences.
NWW has also been invited to make several presentations at professional conferences, including "Building Meaningful Relationships with Congregations of Faith," presented at the Region X conference of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) in 2007 and the Association of Developmental Disabilities Providers (ADDP) annual conference in 2008, and "How a Small Agency Can Maximize Opportunities for Professional Development and Community Education," presented at the AAIDD national conference in 2008.
