Junior Paris, Adult Residential Manager at The Guild, was honored with an Impact Award in the Bridge Builder category by the Association of Developmental Disabilities Providers (ADDP). The Bridge Builder Award recognizes a Direct Support Professional whose exceptional, person-centered support builds connections and creates opportunities for individuals with disabilities to participate more fully in their communities, achieve personal goals, and strengthen their independence, dignity, and self-determination.
Throughout his 22 years at The Guild, Junior has shown dedication to finding ways for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to access the same experiences, relationships, and opportunities as anyone else. Junior began his career in the youth residential program and has since held several roles, including direct care, overnight supervisor, and manager. His long-standing involvement across programs reflects both his professional growth and his deep personal commitment to the individuals and families supported by The Guild.
When two adult residents wanted to complete an outdoor leadership program that required an overnight backpacking trip, Junior took the lead in coordinating the necessary supports to make their participation possible. He worked closely with the outside organization, residential staff, and leadership teams to arrange staffing, training, and logistics. Both individuals completed the program and achieved a goal that mattered to them.
For another resident, Junior helped create a more individualized day plan that included an administrative internship at The Guild’s offices. It provided vocational experience, but also confidence, relationships, and a stronger connection to the broader community.
Beyond individual supports, Junior has taken on the role of a certified facilitator of the healthy relationships curriculum, mentoring staff and modeling effective approaches to person-centered teaching. The course emphasizes self-determination, boundaries, consent, and communication skills.
“Our job is not simply to provide services. It is to help people build lives that reflect what they want for themselves. And Junior is very good at figuring out how to make that happen,” CEO Amy C. Sousa said at the presentation of the award during the ADDP annual meeting on September 29. “That is what makes Junior a bridge builder. He connects people to opportunities. He brings people and departments together to make things happen. And, most importantly, he helps remove barriers between the people we support and the lives they want to lead.”
Read more about the ADDP annual meeting and other award recipients from Healthcare News.