Wellness with Our Commonwealth Corps Team

Cassidy and Zoe wrap up their year-long stint with Gould Farm and the Commonwealth Corps.

Welcoming Our First Commonwealth Corps Members

This past year at Gould Farm, we had the privilege of hosting our first two Commonwealth Corps members, Cassidy Walker and Zoe Garderet, who made a great impact on our community through their contributions to our REACH and wellness program.

About the Commonwealth Corps

Cassidy learning to work a jack hammer as a member of the maintenance team.

The Commonwealth Corps is a state initiative under the Massachusetts Service Alliance, designed to enable individuals to serve their community while developing valuable skills and experience. This program forms a crucial link in strengthening civic engagement and adding much-needed capacity to community programs across Massachusetts, including Gould Farm.

Supporting Wellness and Work Programs

In addition to supporting our REACH and wellness initiatives, Cassidy and Zoe both worked on various work program teams, such as maintenance and the garden teams.

Cassidy’s Reflections: Building New Wellness Practices

"I’m so grateful for the time I have spent at Gould Farm," Cassidy said. "Zoe and I had the privilege of being the first Commonwealth Corps members at the Farm, and because of that, we were able to shape our roles. In our time here, we began the process of structuring a wellness assessment for our guests, found outside wellness contacts, and organized REACH groups, events, and off-Farm activities.

"Some of our most popular activities were: an outdoor grounding practice which involved Tai Chi-adjacent movements, deep breathing, and connection with nature; an equine mindfulness group that involved spending time with a staff member’s horse and pony; and a birding group that received rave reviews from guests and staff alike. It’s been so meaningful to hear positive feedback from guests and watch the way these groups can light them up and open them up to new passions.”

Zoe’s Perspective: Using Nature as a Healing Space

Zoe, meanwhile, drew upon her background in psychology to bring a unique depth to our

Zoe working on the garden team with garden manager, Mel.

programming. “I was especially excited to bring the Equine/Outdoor Mindfulness REACH group and the Finding Ground activity to the farm because they both emphasize the healing power of nature, and I was hoping to use the beautiful land around the farm to the advantage of the wellness program," Zoe said.

"The two groups use similar techniques to help people connect to the natural world around them, which promotes mindfulness but is also an important tool to practice in our day to day lives. When we met Jesse and Sandrine it felt like such a natural fit: both of them approach this kind of work with a deep thoughtfulness, and a much-needed blend of seriousness and fun. They both really make the groups come to life and provide an energy that makes guests and staff want to come back again and again. I truly loved working with the wellness team to bring in groups like these and many others; not only did this program development work feel meaningful to me but I felt that it made a tangible impact on the community, and hearing positive stories about how much people enjoyed the groups energized me.”

Staff Reflections: The Power of Mindfulness

Joanna Hoyt, one of our staff members, reflected on the powerful effects these groups had on both guests and the team itself. “Jesse Carter of Movement Matters Integrative Psychotherapy led an outdoor and equine mindfulness group which I had the pleasure of joining. During our first four sessions in the woods and field edges we practiced slowing down, settling into our bodies, paying attention to all our senses, and sensing the subtle movements of energy within and between us and the living things around us … The first thing that really caught my attention was how slowly Jesse spoke … his slow speech and quiet presence opened a space in which I felt myself breathing more slowly and deeply … I think there was also a sense of togetherness and of encounter on a nonverbal level … On the days when we met the horse and pony I watched guests’ stances soften, their heads come up, their faces soften and brighten.”

Looking Ahead: Continuing the Commonwealth Corps Partnership

Cassidy and Zoe’s year of service will leave an imprint on Gould Farm. We are truly grateful for their enthusiasm, creativity, compassion, and generosity, and we wish them all the best as their journeys continue (we’re thrilled that Zoe plans to return to the Farm in late summer as a staff member!). We are also delighted to share that we will be welcoming two new Commonwealth Corps members in August, continuing the partnership and the good work that took root this past year.