May News & Updates
 

May 12, 2026

This Month

  • What's Cooking at The Price Center
  • Did you know?
  • Staff Milestones and Additions
  • May Calendar
  • Happening in the Community

What's Cooking at The Price Center (and at my house)

Picked-Up Pieces Edition

by Mike Markowitz, Dad of Sarah and member of The Price Center Board of Directors

Borrowing a page from legendary Boston Globe sports columnist Dan Shaughnessy, here are a few “picked-up pieces” from around The Price Center community this month:


First, the countdown is officially on for The Price Center at the Pops on May 28th. The concert itself is sold out, but we still have tickets, though only for a few more days before our allotment disappears. The evening promises to be far more than a concert — it will be a celebration of music, community, and shared humanity. Featuring the extraordinary artistry of 7-time GRAMMY Award-winning musician Jacob Collier, whose performances invite participation, joy, and connection, the event beautifully reflects The Price Center’s belief that every individual deserves the opportunity to be seen, heard, and valued.


We’re looking forward to welcoming families, friends, supporters, and community partners for what promises to be a truly unforgettable night.


Meanwhile, one of the loudest cheers heard recently from the Price Center community wasn’t at Symphony Hall — it was at the movies. Earlier this month, individuals from every Price Center program — IDH, CBDS, Day Hab, and Specialized Supports — gathered together for a center-wide outing to the Majestic 7 in Watertown, where we rented the entire theater for a private screening of The Super Mario Bros. Movie. More than 50 attendees filled the theater with laughter, applause, popcorn, and plenty of enthusiasm for Mario and friends. The outing was another wonderful reminder that shared experiences help build friendships and strengthen community across all of our programs. We also want to thank theater manager Scott for helping make the day so welcoming and successful — and we’re hoping to return the hospitality soon with a visit to our Kindness Café.


Speaking of the Café, we’re excited to officially launch our partnership with Fazenda Coffee Roasters during a celebration at the Kindness Café on Wednesday, May 20th. Fazenda, a premium local coffee roaster, is now the Café’s exclusive coffee and tea supplier, bringing exceptional beverages and shared community values together in every cup we serve. If you haven’t stopped by recently, this is the perfect excuse to visit, grab a drink, and support the incredible baristas and staff who make the Café such a special place. The Café's barista training program is already paying dividends; several Price Center baristas have been invited to interview for jobs in open-to-the-public coffee shops and bakeries.


And finally, stay tuned for more information about the upcoming launch of the Price Center Family Directory — an exciting new initiative designed to help attendees and families connect directly with one another for friendship, support, shared resources, and community-building. One of The Price Center’s greatest strengths has always been the relationships formed here, and we hope this new tool will facilitate those connections and make them even stronger.

mmarkowitz@thepricecenter.org








What's Cooking at My House


Loaded Chopped Taco Salad Bowl

4 servings

Prep/Cook Time: 30 minutes


Sunday dinners are my favorite. We typically have a houseful of friends and family and, while I love the chaos, I typically struggle to come up with something everyone will enjoy.


This is a wonderful solution. Most of the ingredients are placed in separate bowls or on plates and everyone gets to assemble their own dinner. Vegans and vegetarians can even enjoy the salad by not adding the meat and cheese to their bowl. And, if you want a no-cook meal, leave out the chicken!


Ingredients:

  • 1 lb. ground chicken or turkey (optional)
  • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1-½ teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon oregano
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • crushed red pepper (optional, to taste)
  • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 medium clove garlic, grated
  • 2 medium heads romaine lettuce, shredded
  • 2 15-oz cans no-salt-added black beans, rinsed
  • 2 small colored bell peppers, diced
  • 1 cup crumbled cotija cheese
  • 1 cup chopped cherry tomatoes
  • ½ cup thawed frozen fire-roasted corn
  • ¼ cup chopped pickled red onions
  • ¼ cup finely chopped cilantro leaves and tender stems
  • 1 medium jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced
  • 2 cups tortilla chips


Preparation:

  • If using meat, heat ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add ground chicken/turkey and cook, breaking up meat with a spatula until cooked through. Add taco seasoning and ¼ cup of water and simmer 2 minutes.
  • Combine 1/4 cup oil, 3 tablespoons lime juice, 1 tablespoon vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and the grated garlic in a large bowl or jar. Mix well.
  • Add from among sauteed chicken, shredded lettuce, rinsed beans, diced bell peppers, cotija cheese, tomatoes, roasted corn, pickled red onions, cilantro, and jalapeño into a bowl, toss with dressing. Serve with tortilla chips.

Had your coffee today? The Baristas at The Price Center's Kindness Café make a mean cup of coffee, espresso, and cappuccino. Come to the Kindness Café to put some spring in your step, some jo in your mo, and especially some Kindness in your day.

Open ONLY to friends, family, staff, and invited guests on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:30a to noon, the Café serves pastries and beverages. Donations are gratefully accepted.

Help us put Another Brick in the Wall. Starting at $1000, donors can sponsor a personalized brick to support:

  • Hands-on barista training and job coaching
  • Skill development in customer service, teamwork, and workplace readiness
  • Pathways to competitive, integrated employment beyond The Price Center
  • A culture of inclusion where individuals are seen for their abilities, not their limitations
Place Your Brick Today
Last chance! Buy tickets or sponsor!

Did You Know?

  • Families providing lifelong care often experience financial strain not fully covered by public funding—philanthropy helps ensure stability, innovation, and continuity of services.
  • Creative arts programs—like music, visual art, and theater—can improve communication skills, emotional regulation, and confidence for individuals across a wide range of abilities.
  • Consistent daily routines, like those offered in community-based day programs, can significantly reduce anxiety and improve overall well-being for many neurodivergent individuals.

Welcome to The Team!



Robert Kasumba - Direct Care Professional, 
Dayhab

Flore Ekounda Ele - Registered Behavior Technician, Residential

Arnold Kamau - Registered Behavior Technician, 
Residential

Ryan Fogarty - Direct Support Specialist, Specialized Supports

May Milestones


Melissa O'Connell, 26 years

Catalina Cardona, 19 years

Rokhoyatou Bayo, 15 years

Judith Lacroix, 9 years

Alex Kato, 6 years

Joas Mushabe, 5 years

Ijeoma Omeche, 5 years

Patrick Ensah, 4 years

Muradson Fils Aime, 2 years

David Hurwitz, 1 year 

The Price Center's 
Directory of families, meant to encourage communication and support our community, is in its final stages of testing. Keep an eye out for its availability!

The directory will include the names and programs of Price Center attendees as well as names and contact details of caregivers and family. It will be shared among The Price Center community and participation is voluntary; names will only appear if families opt in (and you can opt out at any time). We anticipate the directory will help facilitate conversations about programs, supports, and activities of value to all.

Happening In the Community

Newton Parks and Recreation / Athletes Unlimited

It's a hit!

The Newton Tigers are back on the field and you can join them, REGISTRATION (and nominal fee) REQUIRED

Saturdays from 9a - 10a for 6-15 yr. olds
Saturdays from 10a - 11:30a for 23-40 yr. olds

Emerson Community Center,

45 Pettee St, Newton Upper Falls

Bring water, sneakers, and a baseball glove!

Rather throw a pot than a baseball?


Knott & Purl is joining Newton Parks and Recreation for a Pottery Class using new kilns! The class is limited to 10 participants and runs Wednesdays evenings (6:30p to 7:30p) in May.

Contact Newton Parks and Rec (617-796-1527 or mkelly@newtonma.gov for schedule and availability.

Have an upcoming event that our staff, individuals, or community should know about?

We want to hear about it.

Please send details to: Communications@thepricecenter.org

The Price Center empowers individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities including autism to thrive in their living, social, and work communities. Every gift, whether monetary or in-kind, goes directly towards our programs and supports our individuals in achieving their goals.

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The Price Center | 27 Christina Street | Newton, MA 02461 US

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