For more than 25 years, Peggy Darmody has been at the heart of Guild’s employment services program, helping shape it into one of the strongest, most impactful of its kind in Minnesota. As she steps into retirement this June, Peggy leaves behind not just a legacy, but a challenge to all of us to keep fighting for a future where everyone has access to meaningful work.
“When I started, employment services were happening, but they weren’t organized in a way that created lasting change,” Peggy explains. That all shifted when Guild adopted the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model. It’s an evidence-based approach that connects people living with mental illness to competitive, integrated employment. “IPS gave us a framework, and with it, we started seeing real transformation,” she says.
That transformation isn’t just numbers on a report. It’s personal. “I’ve watched clients discover confidence they didn’t know they had,” Peggy says. “One person sees their resume and says, ‘Wow, I did all that?’ That kind of moment matters. Work becomes part of recovery. It’s hope, stability and identity.”
Under Peggy’s leadership, Guild became a statewide leader in IPS. The program earned praise from donors, peers, and even state officials. “We were often the example others looked to,” she says. “It felt good to know we were doing something right.”
But Peggy is retiring during a difficult time. Budget cuts are putting the future of IPS programs in Minnesota, including Guild’s, at risk. “I thought I’d be handing off something whole and ready for the next person,” she admits. “Instead, I’m watching it change — uncertain of what it will look like.”
Still, Peggy’s optimism shines through. “Change isn’t always a bad thing. New opportunities can come from it. And I believe employment services will continue, just in a new form.”
She also knows Guild can’t do it alone. “We need the community and especially employers to be part of this,” she says. “Hire someone with a disability. Partner with an employment specialist. Those small actions have huge impacts.”
Peggy’s story is one of dedication, heart, and hope. And though her chapter with Guild is closing, the work continues and needs our support more than ever. You can help carry Peggy’s legacy forward by taking action today. Visit guildservices.org/get-involved/advocate to support mental health employment services and ensure that life-changing programs like IPS continue to thrive. Together, we can keep building a future where everyone has the chance to work, recover, and thrive.