ABOUT THE POLUS CENTER

The Polus Center for Social & Economic Development, Inc. supports community-based programs that promote social and economic opportunities for people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups. (See MISSION and GUIDING PRINCIPLES.)

Founded in 1979, The Polus Center began by contributing to the development of innovative alternative service models to support people with disabilities. Our individualized shared living programs throughout Massachusetts, USA, help establish and support households where people with and without disabilities live in mutually beneficial relationships, enabling people with disabilities to live and work within the community. Because of this innovative alternative service model, many individuals who would have spent years in institutional care are now competitively employed and have homes in the communities of their choice.

In 1997, the Polus Center entered into the international arena by coordinating humanitarian efforts in Central America aimed at addressing the long-term needs of people with disabilities, particularly those individuals who lost limbs due to acts of war, landmines and diseases. Several prosthetic outreach programs and clinics have been established, and access and mobility projects have now been implemented in various countries in Central America and Africa.

Over the years, The Polus Center has broadened the scope of its mission beyond the provision of direct care services, to include planning and development consultation services on the national and international level. By collaborating with other non-governmental organizations plus local business and humanitarian groups, the Polus Center has been able to provide key financial and strategic aid that result in long-term, self-sustaining solutions.

Our goal is to improve the lives of disabled people around the world by removing the impediments to their independence and providing access to the key resources that will nurture their success.

"Polus" is of Latin origin, and means "looking towards the heavens." It suggests searching and working toward an ideal, a pinnacle. This means not only the best for people who are poor, disabled or in some way disenfranchised, but the best for all of us. Polus, the highest point, represents everyone's search for the best of who and what we are.

Polus Center Board Members

President: John Burger, Mitre Corporation
Vice President: Bill Rosen, Cardinal Strategies
Executive Director: Michael Lundquist, Polus Center
Treasurer: John Abely, CPA, retired
Clerk/Secretary: Dr. Allie Cowl, Petersham Pediatrics

Directors:

• Mollie Bresnahan
• Rev. Richard Fournier
• Keith Jones
• Carrie Schuchardt
• Greg Stone
• Dr. E.J Welch
• Gary Gruber

Polus Center staff

		Michael Lundquist, Executive Director, M.Ed., C.A.G.S. Chief Executive Officer			Santiago Castellón Executive Director Polus Regional Office, Nicaragua
		Theresa E. Kane, Ph.D. Chief Operating Officer

Brenda Calder: Director of Finance and Administration
Jan Doody: Director of Training and Development

International Program Staff

U.S.

• Michael Lundquist, Executive Director

Nicaragua

• Reina Estrada: Program Director, Vida Nueva
• Marvin Moreira: Program Director, Walking Unidos
• Olmar Varela: Director of Disability Leadership Center
• Enmanuel Alonso: Director of Education

Shared Living Program Staff

• Laurie Sault: Program Director, Shared Living Supervisor
• Steve Williamson: Program Director, North Shore Shared Living
• Wendy Swanson: Program Director, Shared Living Alliance
• Althea Henderson: Assistant Program Director, Greater Boston Community Network