City of Boston declares September 26 “Doreen Bushashia Day” in honor of her tireless efforts in support of affordable housing and resident services
Braintree, Boston, and Millis, MA (November 4, 2024) – The Peabody Companies, a group of award-winning property management and real estate firms, recently celebrated the long career of Doreen Bushashia, president of Peabody Resident Services, who retired as of September 30, 2024.
Recognizing that by offering resident services, better health and wellness outcomes are created and housing security is enhanced, and identifying a need for these types of services 30 years ago, Bushashia pioneered the Resident Services Program at Peabody, founding Peabody Resident Services (the first property management firm with an established resident services program) and setting the mission statement, “We put the HOME in housing.”
Bushashia’s efforts reverberated throughout the Commonwealth, as was demonstrated by the number of citations she received, which were presented to her by Alan Rias, resident services portfolio director at the Peabody Companies.
Governor Maura Healey sent a citation that read, “On behalf of the residents of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, I am pleased to confer upon you this government citation, in recognition of more than 36 years of dedicated service to affordable housing management. We commend your unwavering commitment and visionary leadership leading to the creation of Peabody Resident Services, Inc. and its home care program, which has touched the lives of countless residents. Your efforts will be recognized and felt by generations and generations to come. The Commonwealth thanks you, and wishes you all the best.”
Additionally, Mayor Wu declared September 26, 2024, “Doreen Bushashia Day” in the City of Boston.
Messages of thanks, congratulations, and best wishes were also shared via citation from Braintree Mayor Erin Joyce, the State Senate (signed by Senator Becca Rausch, representing Bushashia’s hometown of Millis, and Senate President Karen Spilka), and the State House of Representatives (signed by Representative Marcus Vaughn, representing Millis, and Speaker of the House Ronald Mariano).
Today, under Bushashia’s leadership, the Peabody Resident Services Home Care Program is one of the largest in Massachusetts, serving participants who reside in housing communities statewide, managed by Peabody, housing authorities, and other management companies. The program provides essential daily care and homemaking with care manager and nurse home visits. Under her leadership, PRS has also secured over $5.1 million in grant funding for resident enrichment programs. Bushashia created a team of more than 80 professionals engaged in resident services work, and this model has become fully integrated into the company’s mission and its team’s approach within their communities.
“Doreen understood that residents needed more than a roof over their head, and her initiatives were not only popular with residents, but encouraged other property management companies across New England to do the same things,” said Karen Fish-Will, principal and chair of the Peabody Companies. “She developed policies and processes to create a model for aging in place that remains effective to this day.
“Doreen spent 13,149 days with Peabody, and every single one has made a difference,” added Fish-Will.
“She saw the need, she had the vision, and she has fulfilled her purpose,” added Rias.
