Meet Doren Cummings: Advocate for a Better Future, with over 30 years of experience.

Doren Cummings has been dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals with disabilities and their families. Committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive society in the Commonwealth, Doren's work focuses on addressing the challenges faced by marginalized communities. 

Currently, Doren is opening new housing projects in Brookline, Salem and in Hyannis, expanding the menu of options families have for community living.

Doren serves as the Director of Resident Services at Trinity Management, LLC, in Boston, where they oversee support services for residents across 60 properties, as the Director of Resident Services.

From 2019 to 2024, as the Director of In-Home Services at Mainstay Supportive Housing & Home Care, they managed services for 100 clients, supervised a 50-person team, obtained state contracts and directed the marketing and housing recruitment activities for the organization. 

Doren co-authored a study published in BMC Public Health on physical activity interventions for low-income housing residents in 2023, and won the top $80,000 prize at the (Sh)Arc Tank 3.0 Northeast Arc competition in 2018 for a project connecting aging adults with autism/low verbal output, to smart home technology.

At Jewish Family & Children’s Service, Doren created and opened the successful and thriving CHAI Works CBDS Day Program, and secured $7 million in annual contracts and grants over 12 years. They also created a one of a kind family collaborative Housing Model in Walpole/Norwood, Malden and Newton for 60 adults with mild to moderate disabilities, opened their Adult Foster Care (AFC, Masshealth Licensced Program) and spearheaded their Sibling Support Programs, Sibshops, including hosting a New England wide conference with 9 states participating.

During their 10-year tenure at the  Charles River Center, they developed respite and recreational programs, serving 300 children and adults.

Doren is a serial entrepreneur in the non profit sector, whose startups and programs continue to thrive and operate successfully today!

Since 1994, Doren has assisted families planning for the future of adults with disabilities, guiding them through complex eligibility processes for state and federal programs. Doren is a regular speaker at the Riverview School, Perkins School for the Blind, Newton Public Schools, state networks and parent groups.

Doren holds a B.A. in Psychology from Wheaton College where they were a member of the 

A Capella Whims and played on the Lyons Softball team. They are pursuing an M.B.A. at the Heller School, Brandeis University. They also have a Supervisory Certificate from North Shore Community College and a Fair Housing Certificate from NEAHMA.

In 2023, Doren was named the Employee of the Year at Mainstay Supportive Housing & Home Care and received the Amazing Addition Award from Trinity Management Company. 

Doren is an active community member, serving as an appointed member of the Commonwealth's Governor’s Commission on Intellectual Disabilities. They are on the Grant Selection Committee for Mildred's Dream Foundation and is a youth baseball and soccer coach in their local community.

Doren’s advocacy extends into their personal life, driven by their daughter Nina's Cystic Fibrosis (CF) diagnosis. Actively involved with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, they champion research, policy advocacy, and support for families. Through Make-A-Wish, Doren has helped bring joy to children with critical illnesses, including Nina. As an adoption advocate, Doren’s journey adopting Nina through JF&CS Adoption Center deepened their commitment to ensuring families receive the post-adoption support and resources they need to thrive.

A lover of storytelling and representation, Doren is the author and creator of the LGBTQ+ children’s book series, A Bug Travels Far, following Ty Fly, a transbug on a journey of self-discovery. This project promotes LGBTQ+ youth representation in children’s literature and supports the Trevor Project and Samaritans of Boston.

When not working or advocating, Doren enjoys baseball, lighthouses, and the sea, finding peace in the waves and adventure in the unknown. They are also a youth baseball and soccer coach, fostering teamwork and confidence in young athletes.

Doren's journey is marked by dedication, compassion and unwavering commitment to enhancing the lives of our most vulnerable populations.