Walker was founded by George Walker, a pioneer in dairy technology, in 1952 through a trust established “for the care of children.” From its beginnings as a convalescent home for children with long term illnesses, Walker has evolved to provide intensive services and multidisciplinary programs to children aged 5 to 13 that extend specialized therapeutic environments beyond the classrooms and into family homes, public schools and community settings. In 1995 Walker merged with Beacon High School, a co-educational, therapeutic alternative high school program for students aged 14 to 22 with mental health, social, and emotional challenges.

Walker is a special education and behavioral health organization that offers scholastic and clinical services for children in nearly 100 communities across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Its mission is to transform the lives of children and youth who are facing complex emotional, behavioral, and learning challenges by partnering with these children and youth, their families, and communities to nurture hope, build fortitude, and develop lifelong skills. With the help of the dedicated professionals at Walker, children, adolescents, and those who love them are able to rediscover their strengths, learn new skills, and experience the joy of rejuvenating their lives.