Westwood Resident Susan Wassmus to Help Plan Walker's 15th Annual Lives in Bloom Gala

BOSTON — On Saturday, May 2, Walker’s 15th annual Lives in Bloom Gala will strive to raise more than $400,000 for the nonprofit’s academic and therapeutic programs that support children, teens, and families facing complex emotional, behavioral, and learning challenges. Susan Wassmus, of Westwood, a gala committee member and Walker volunteer, is helping to plan the event.

The Trieschman family will be presented with Walker’s Distinguished Community Leadership Award at the event. Dr. Albert E. Trieschman, a psychologist at Children’s Hospital, and Walker founder, served as the first executive director until his death in 1984. He and his staff authored The Other 23 Hours, a residential care philosophy that outlines the need for treatment beyond the conventional one-hour therapy session. Dr. Trieschman’s late wife, Nancy, spent most of her career working for Walker and their three sons and families remain involved and supportive of Walker. His son, Karl H. Trieschman, of Concord, a Walker board member, will accept the award on behalf of the family. Karl’s wife, Audrey, was crucial in building the legacy that would become the Walker Trieschman Institute for Research and Training, the organization’s professional development and research arm.

“We are so grateful for the Trieschmans’ groundbreaking vision, deep commitment and heartfelt dedication to incredibly vulnerable yet resilient children and families who come to Walker full of despair, not knowing where else to turn to for help,” says Susan M. Getman, Walker’s president and CEO. “The Trieschman family was instrumental in establishing Walker as a compassionate place of learning, where professionals, children, and families working together give rise to hope, new skills and a future bright with promise. Today, 54 years later, the Trieschmans continue to help Walker set the standard of treatment and education excellence for thousands of children and families.”

The event will feature artwork and musical performances by the talented students of Beacon High School, a program of Walker. Over the past 14 years, more than $3.6 million has been raised for Walker’s programs through the event.

“My family and I are honored to accept this award,” says Karl H. Trieschman. “The staff at Walker are carrying out my father’s deepest dreams to ensure that every child has a chance at a better future by providing them with the best possible education and therapeutic services.”

Billy Costa of KISS 108FM and NESN’s Dining Playbook will emcee the event. More than 500 guests will enjoy live and silent auctions, a cocktail hour and three-course dinner followed by dancing to the music of GQ & The Lady.

Laurel Lyle, Tracy Mayo, and Wendy Paul, all of Wellesley, will co-chair the event. Ten gala committee members, including Wassmus, from Boston, Concord, Waltham, Wellesley, Westwood and Needham also plan the fundraising event, which will be held on May 2 from 6 p.m. to midnight at The Sheraton Boston Hotel, 39 Dalton Street, Boston. Individual tickets start at $235. For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit livesinbloom.org.

About Walker

Founded in 1961, Walker is a leader in special education and clinical residential and day programs. Through extensive educational and therapeutic services, annually Walker directly serves more than 1,200 young people, ages 3 to 22, facing complex emotional, behavioral and learning challenges, helping them to build on their strengths and skills. Each year, Walker impacts an additional 18,000 children and families through offsite training and consultation services. Students hail from nearly 100 communities across Massachusetts. For more information, visit walkercares.org.