The Walnut Street Center is a workshop for the mentally disabled. Job coaches work with the mentally disabled, giving them training, guidance and encouragement. This panoramic view of the workshop was created from four handheld photos stitched together.

Helen, one of the job coaches, prepares for the workday. Job coaches maintain work tallies of which person completed which batch of work. Mornings are one of the few quiet times in the workshop for the staff. Once individuals start to arrive, the workshop buzzes with activity.

Helen (left) and Pat, one of the individuals, greet in the morning.

Bob relaxes before the start of the workday.

Denise sorts letters into groups of three. She is using a cardboard counting tray to assist in organizing the letters three at a time.

Helen works closely with Chris. Some individuals require close mentoring to ensure that they remain interested in their task and to ensure that they complete the work correctly.

Chris and Ray stuff letters into envelopes. Other kinds of work at the center include letter folding, letter collating, letter counting, envelope labeling, and envelope sealing.

John looks up from his collating work. Specific kinds of work are given to people depending on their skill levels.

Cheryl waters plants at the Tufts University campus weekly. Some individuals value their opportunities to participate in off-site work. It's a chance to learn new tasks, and a chance to bolster their self-esteem and self-confidence. On the other hand, other individuals prefer the routine and camaraderie of working at the center.

After watering plants at Tufts, Pat has lunch at a nearby food court. One of the perks of off-site work is the off-site lunch.

Cindy (left), seen here with her job coach Maureen, answers phones at the Mass Department of Mental Retardation.

Maria helps herself to another batch of work.

Maria is ready to start work on a set of envelopes to be sealed.

In addition to working at the center as seen here, Dan also works at Borders bookstore. He prepares unsold books, newspapers and magazines for return to the publishers.

Despite being legally blind, Robert (left) sees well enough to complete folding jobs. Robert also works the reception desk for the center.

Doris waits for work from the job coaches. Doris is one of two people in wheelchairs who works at the center.

Bob folds prayer books at St. James church, just in time for Easter Sunday.

Michael takes a break from folding to read one of the prayer books.

Bill scans and labels videos at Best Buy. Learning new tasks is one of the challenges of off-site jobs.

Bill on the bus, returning to the center after working in Best Buy in the morning.

Bill & Aida share a laugh at the workshop. Interpersonal relationships is one of the skills taught at the center.

Kathy demonstrates how to make precise folds.

Heather looks up from her work. The eventual goal of the center is for the individuals to find independent work and independent living in their communities.

Cathy applies mailing labels to envelopes. Some of the work at the center requires more manual dexterity than other work. Tasks are matched with individual's skills.

Mary nods off at her chair. While individuals are encouraged to be as productive as they can, they're allowed the freedom to work as little or much as they want.

Staff members Sarah (left) and Reuben gather up completed work at the end of the day. Reuben manages the work contracts with outside clients. He priorities the work to be completed to meet the deadlines of the clients.

Bob, Betty and Marion going home by van. Some individuals commute to the center by car or by public transportation.

Helen updates the work tally after everyone else leaves. Once again, the workshop is quiet until tomorrow.

Tom Louie
tom.louie@earthlink.net
May 15, 2002