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26 The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented turmoil globally and locally, socially and financially. Despite these challenges, Road to Responsibility (RTR) continues to serve adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and Make Lives Better. RTR is a full-service nonprofit that provides homes, jobs, therapeutic day supports and a community for over 1,300 individuals from more than 100 different cities and towns in Massachusetts. Its 49 residences and nine day-support services focus on education, employment and community enrichment. Being thrust into a situation where people's safety and wellness relied on quarantine and social distancing has been incredibly difficult for an organization whose greatest successes come from one-on-one caregiving, human connection and personalized support. RTR believes that everyone deserves to live a full and dignified life and, thanks to RTR's leadership and dedicated employees, the most vulnerable among us have been able to thrive even during this unfathomably difficult time. RTR's day support programs offer individualized behavioral and medical supports for individuals with ID/D. Its specialized group activities such as music therapy, art and dance help individuals interact successfully in their community. Understandably, in mid-March, RTR's day support programs shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic. The abrupt closing of these day supports was tough for many individuals who regularly look forward to the socializing, learning and connecting that the programs provide. In order to maintain security and continuity, the incredible team found ways to bring the programs to the individuals at RTR's 49 homes. Day support staff members transitioned to positions at these residential homes, providing painting lessons, nature walks, games, gardening, meal preparation and movie nights. The placement team created weekly packets of fun, employment skills activities to enable individuals to meet their personal objectives. "I find it incredibly rewarding to see the way our employees consistently put people in positions where they can achieve successes. Even during this crisis, our team made sure that no one's goals were compromised," says President and CEO, Christopher White, Ed.D. FaceTime and iPads helped individuals stay connected with loved ones, as they could not have visitors during the lockdown; but they still missed their friends and families. Many individuals also missed going to their jobs every day: RTR sends over 100 individuals to work in local businesses through their numerous group employment sites. "Everyone is able to work doing something. Our job is to find the right fit for each person which accentuates their abilities, instead of their weaknesses," says White. RTR's clients have jobs in many fields, from grocery stores and cleaning services to data entry work at computer firms to by Erica Ford Road to Responsibility: Facing the Pandemic to Continue Making Lives Better 9.24.20 details to follow Claudia and Elton