Jennifer Walsh Recognized as an 'Unsung Heroine'

Editor's Note: The following was released Monday by the office of state Rep. John Fernandes (D-Milford), who nominated Jennifer Walsh for inclusion as part of the 2012 class of Unsung Heroines through the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women. Said Fernandes: "Nominating Jen Walsh for this recognition was an easy choice. Jen immediately comes to mind when I think about someone, ‘who doesn’t make the news, but makes a difference.’ Jen has dedicated her life to the cause of needy children. She is an angel of giving.”

Jennifer Walsh of Milford will be honored as a member of the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women's 2012 class of Unsung Heroines. Rep. John Fernandes (D-Milford) recommended Ms. Walsh for this recognition because of her decades-long dedication to the promotion of educational, vocational, social, recreational, and personal services and activities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Ms. Walsh will be honored with the other Unsung Heroines for her outstanding contributions to the the Milford High School Best Buddies Program, the Friends of Milford Area Special Athletes, the Milford Special Olympics Program, and Project Search in a ceremony on Wednesday, May 16, from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Great Hall at the State House in Boston.

The Unsung Heroines are women who don't make the news, but make the difference. They are the women who use their time, talent and enthusiasm, to enrich the lives of others and make a difference in their neighborhoods, cities and towns. They are mentors, volunteers and innovators who do what needs to be done without expectation of recognition or gratitude. These women are the glue that keeps a community together and every community is better because of their contribution.

Background on Ms. Walsh's contributions:

• Began the Milford Special Olympics programs in 1994 in collaboration with Avery Dennison Corp.
• Working with Len Morcone, brought the to Milford Community School Use Programs in 1996. Morcone and Community Use have been the support system for Special Olympics ever since. The programs have grown from 10 athletes and one track team to more than 120 athletes and their families, participating year-round in 10 different sports.
• In 1996 began an after-school program, along with the special education director at Milford High School, for students with and without intellectual disabilities, called Circle of Friends.
• In 2001 began the program. Best Buddies creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• In 2001, along with John Consoletti, Joe Zenus, Art Caswell and Sandy Indelicato, began a non-profit called Friends of Milford Area Special Athletes to give scholarships to dedicated volunteers and supplement our Special Olympic programs.
• In 2006, in collaboration with the Special Education Department, began a vocational program at Milford High School for students with intellectual disabilities aged 18 to 22. The students participating in this program run the MHS Hawks Nest and the Copy Center, as well as having internships at Verizon Wireless in Milford, Coldwell Banker in Franklin, New England Home Medical in Southborough, and volunteer at the Many of our students also are contracted by Natick Army Labs to work data entry and contract closeouts.
• In 2011, in collaboration with the Special Education Department and helped to begin an intensive vocational program called Project Search. This program is housed at the Milford hospital and intellectually disabled students attend this program in their final year of school. The students are immersed in a job from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Milford's hospital has six departments participating, and every 10 weeks, the students rotate through the different departments.
• In 2012, in collaboration with the athletic director at Milford High School, brought unified sports to Milford High. Unified Sports is supported by Special Olympics Massachusetts and is an initiative that combines approximately equal numbers of Special Olympics athletes, and athletes without intellectual disabilities, on sports teams for training and competition. Milford High is now one of six high schools in Massachusetts that has a unified track and field team competing this spring.