Cassidy Walker (she/her)

Cassidy joined Gould Farm as one of the first Commonwealth Corps Wellness Coordinators for 2024-25, bringing a passion for psychology, media analysis, and community care to her role. A 2024 graduate of Hampshire College, she earned a Bachelor of Arts with a concentration in psychology and media analysis, with a particular focus on extremism in internet subcultures.

Cassidy found her way to Gould Farm through a unique combination of academic interests and personal experiences and after being contacted through Handshake, her college job board, by a member of our staff, she researched Gould Farm and was intrigued by our holistic approach to mental health care, which stood in contrast to the more isolated, clinical settings she had previously encountered.

Before coming to Gould Farm, Cassidy spent the summer of 2024 working in the UMass library archives on an Esperanto collection, a language and culture she feels deeply connected to. Although the archival work was fulfilling, Cassidy knew she wanted something more hands-on. She also has experience as a companion for a woman with autism, where she developed the skills to provide calm, consistent support for someone facing daily challenges. This experience, combined with her interest in counter-extremism and counter-terrorism work, has shaped her understanding of empathy as a tool for addressing both mental health challenges and societal issues.

Cassidy believes that isolation is a key factor in both mental health struggles and extreme behaviors and beliefs, and she is interested in exploring how community, trusted role models, and wellness can help individuals find their way back from those extreme places.

At Gould Farm, Cassidy is especially excited about the opportunity to work on wellness initiatives, with a focus on making healthy living fun and accessible. She is passionate about helping people develop life skills in ways that feel empowering rather than depriving, whether through creative cooking or playful approaches to fitness. Cassidy sees this service year as a chance to gain confidence in working with people facing intense challenges, and she’s eager to see how her experiences here might shape her future career in mental health or related fields.