Our Remarkable People

Our Remarkable Person spotlight honors individuals who bring energy, creativity, and connection to Nashua Center—and Erica has been doing just that since the day she arrived. Now celebrating her one-year anniversary with us, Erica is part of both our LIFE-OP and Residential Enhanced Family Care Programs, where she continues to brighten every space she’s in.

Erica is best known for her playful spirit and quick sense of humor. April Fools’ Day is her favorite “holiday”, and she’s been pulling pranks since childhood. One of her favorite stories is of tricking her grandmother by pretending to have a cut on her leg—then peeling off a bandage with an enthusiastic “Gotcha!” and a mischievous smile that only Erica could deliver. That same lighthearted energy is something she brings to Nashua Center daily, where she loves to tease staff and share laughs with friends.

But there’s a deeply thoughtful side to Erica, too. As a deaf individual, Erica knows how important communication is—and this year, she took the initiative to launch a pilot class in basic American Sign Language (ASL) for our staff and clients. Her goal is simple but powerful: to help others communicate more easily with her and with others in the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. The class has been a hit so far, and Erica hopes to offer another session this fall. She even created personalized sign names for each participant, adding a meaningful and creative touch to the experience.

Outside of Nashua Center, Erica works two days a week at Market Basket as a bagger and helps keep the store clean and organized by sweeping aisles and tidying shelves. She takes pride in her work and enjoys being part of the team. In her free time, Erica loves to paint—following along with video tutorials to create watercolor pieces. One of her recent pieces was featured in our Taste of the Towns silent auction, where it sparked a bidding war and raised funds to support Nashua Center programs.

Erica and her roommates also share their home with four dogs. She recently welcomed a new pup named Wednesday into the mix and quickly discovered that walking all four at once is a comedy show in itself. “Now I do two at a time,” she laughs. “Much easier!”

Outside of her busy schedule, Erica enjoys relaxing with some of her favorite hobbies—reading anime, playing video games, and spending time at the beach. One of the most meaningful parts of her routine, though, is visiting her grandmother, who lives just a short walk away. The two are very close and share a special bond, along with a love for animals—especially her grandma’s two cats, Sunny and Milo. Sunny is Erica’s favorite because she has “a personality just like mine,” while Milo is more of a cuddler who prefers to nap. 

Whether she’s leading a class, helping at the supermarket, painting a new piece, or sharing a laugh, Erica brings her full self to everything she does. We are so proud to recognize her as this quarter’s Remarkable Person.



Erica’s story is just one example of the confidence, creativity, and everyday moments of success made possible at Nashua Center. Through personalized support, inclusive programs, and a strong belief in each person’s potential, we’re proud to help individuals like Erica lead fulfilling lives— filled with independence, purpose, a whole lot of heart, and plenty of fun.

Thank you for being you, Erica.