‘The right to a meaningful life’

For 40 years, Sandy Pelletier has been helping people with disabilities to live their best lives.

Her work has included helping people transition from institutions back into communities, advocating for laws that mandate inclusivity in education, creating a center for children with autism and more.

As president and CEO of Gateways Community Services in Nashua, Sandy oversees more than 500 employees who care for 3,000 people statewide. She has been instrumental in helping to build a system in New Hampshire to support people with disabilities, people with autism and elders in need of long-term care.

Ask what inspired her life’s work, and Sandy thinks for a beat
and says: “My cousin Steve.”

Sandy’s cousin was born with a disability. Sandy was his babysitter. His family knew he was capable of more than most people expected.

Sandy took her current job immediately after graduate school.

“People have the right to live a meaningful life in their communities,” she said.

Huge progress has been made, but challenges remain.

Housing is scarce, a skilled workforce hard to retain, too many folks wait too long for services. The team at Gateways
works to mitigate those challenges.

Steve now lives independently, has a career, and likes going out for lunch with his cousin. He lives in Maine, so Sandy’s work never directly affected him — but that work, launched by Steve’s inspiration, has made life better for tens of thousands of people.