The National Eye Institute has designated February as Low Vision Awareness Month, and The Guild for Human Services can point with pride to a number of recent initiatives to meet the needs of our visually impaired population.

In the last year, The Guild launched four different projects to assist individuals with low vision:

Once reluctant to shave at all, Peter Anastasi now confidently gives himself a close shave with an electric razor.

“I like shaving,” the 21-year-old tells Nicole Anulewicz, his occupational therapist at The Guild School, during a recent OT session.

The Guild for Human Services has renamed its library in honor of Anna Thorpe, a longtime advocate for individuals with special needs and their families who recently retired after five years as director of admissions at The Guild.

Anna began her 45-year career in 1973 as a special education teacher and went on to coordinate team evaluations for Framingham Public Schools and serve as the administrator of special education in Dover. She also worked at the Massachusetts Department of Education and managed a program for adults with special needs in Waltham.

During the winter recess at The Guild School, residential students enjoyed a busy break participating in enriching activities held at the school, in the residences and at locations around Eastern Massachusetts.

Highlights included an exotic animal visit and a New Year’s Eve party at The Guild; a trip to see Disney on Ice; attending the La Salette Christmas Festival of Lights and Zoo Lights at the Stone Zoo; and making gingerbread houses at the residences.

Thomas P. Corcoran, the new president of the Board of Trustees, is struck that even now, more than five years after his son Conor graduated from The Guild School, staff members inquire about him.

“When I walk around The Guild, I still get asked, ‘Hey, how’s Conor doing? We really miss him.’ ”

What began as an educational lesson in The Guild School’s Bridge classroom grew into a collaborative class project to support individuals impacted by the Merrimack Valley gas explosions.

Whenever Jesse P. is near a pond or lake, he enjoys tossing in a rock or stick to honor someone close to him. “This one is for Mommy. This one is for Daddy. This one is for Calvin (his younger brother).” As he recites names with each throw, he also includes members of his Guild for Human Services’ family.

She jokes that she’s been around longer than the trees. Well, not exactly, but longer than The Guild for Human Services has been naming its Guild School homes for trees rather than street names, a tradition that began several years ago.

When my son, Korey, was born 19 years ago, I knew very little about parenting a child, let alone a child with special needs. What I did know, and learned very quickly, was that I loved Korey with all of my heart – the same way all parents love their children.

I enjoyed being a new mom, although the expected early milestones – talking, sitting up and walking – were delayed and required early intervention. It was soon apparent to me that this journey would be different than I expected.

The Guild’s new Coffee Shop opened for business on Aug. 27, and students have been serving staff members beverages and baked goods for an hour every weekday since. Students operate the cash register, prepare food, fulfill orders and make deliveries around the school.