Familiar Faces on the Local News

By Trevor Meek

BOSTON, MA — It’s been a busy year for residents throughout the Specialized Housing community. So busy, in fact, that even the local news outlets have taken notice. Earlier this year on their “The Last Minute” segment, WBZ Channel 4 News caught up with SHI residents Margie Richardson and Sandy Tuttle at their place of work on the Boston College campus. Margie and Sandy have been working in the Boston College dining halls through the college’s Supported Employee Program since the program’s founding in 1987. According to Margie, she likes working at BC, in part, because, “It’s so busy all the time. It’s a happy place, a happy environment.” Sandy, meanwhile, told WBZ’s Juli McDonald that just a few of her many responsibilities include, “Filling napkins, filling silverware, trash, sweeping...” As touched upon in the segment, Margie and Sandy take great pride in their work and, for decades now, have been paragons of consistency and professionalism—true role models for a generation of students on the BC campus.*

Elsewhere in Boston, Channel 4 News interviewed SHI resident Thierry Cushing in a place that most people would not describe as a “happy environment”—the Registry of Motor Vehicles. On a recent visit to the RMV to renew his license, Thierry found himself fielding questions from WBZ’s Lisa Gresci concerning the Registry’s decision to allow Massachusetts residents to renew their IDs online. While he’s admittedly not very tech savvy, himself, Thierry acknowledged, “Everything is computerized these days, so I’m sure a lot of people will just choose to do it online.” As part of this same rollout, the Registry also announced that Mass residents will now be allowed to keep the same photograph on their IDs for up to 14 years. As he explained to the reporter, Thierry has concerns about this: “The thing is, if you (renew your ID) online, you get the same picture every time. If you get stopped by the police for something, they’re going to say, ‘Is this really you?’” **

Finally, if you followed the coverage of this year’s Special Olympics Summer Games opening ceremonies, you may have seen veteran WBZ reporter Jim Smith interview Specialized Housing resident Stephanie Weaver. Like many SHI residents, Stephanie has competed in the Olympics for almost as long as she can remember. Due to an injury, however, Stephanie wasn’t able to participate in her favorite track and field events this year.

Yet her commitment to the games never wavered. Stephanie attended the 2018 Special Olympics Summer Games as a volunteer and spent each day of the games setting up events, snack tables, podiums, and then, once the closing ceremonies were over, she helped pack it all right back up. When Jim asked Stephanie if volunteering made her feel good, Stephanie humbly told him, “Yes. I like to do stuff for a whole lot of people.” ***

To watch these segments online, visit boston. cbslocal.com

* Supported Employee Program Helps BC Workers Feel Fulfilled

** Mass. License Photos Can Now Be Used for 14 Years

*** Opening Ceremonies Held for Mass. Special Olympics Summer Games