Northeast Arc

Why collaborations and partnerships matter. Northeast Arc has been connecting artists and entrepreneurs with disabilities or autism to the creative economy throughout most of it's existence: ✔ Operating a store front chair caning business in downtown Peabody for 60+ years. ✔ Teaching visual arts, jewelry making, improv and music ✔ Hosting gallery shows ✔ Supporting artists with disabilities and autism to exhibit and sell their work within communities ✔ Supporting job seekers in finding careers within the creative economy ✔ Creating Peabody's Black Box, an affordable space and hub for artists to utilize ✔ Creating parcels, a store that has infused funding to artists/entrepreneurs with disabilities or autism throughout the world Partnerships with organizations like Creative Collective LLC have provided more opportunities and access for artist we support and increase representation within the community.

Cliff Goodman shares his experience raising a son with autism, and the supports he received from Northeast Arc along the way, including Early Intervention, Building Blocks, and the Autism Support Center.

Northeast Arc celebrated the opening of its newest residential home on Oran Circle in Peabody. The home is newly renovated and the home to four long-time NeArc residents: John Noble, Mark Remon, Wayne Bertolatti, and Robert Herlich. Northeast Arc operates more than two dozen residential homes where people with disabilities can live in the community with staff support. Dedicated staff ensure that residents like John, Mark, Wayne, and Robert are able to live as independently as possible with a high quality of life. Pictured left to right are: John Noble, NeArc resident, Mark Remon, NeArc resident, Wayne Bertolatti (seated in wheelchair), NeArc resident, Fiona Noble, Residential division director, NeArc, Jo Ann Simons, president and CEO, NeArc, Jennifer Killeen, area director, Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services, Julie W., RN case manager, NeArc, Carol Casey-Conwell, program director, NeArc, Robert Herlich, NeArc resident, Jim Rissvi, NeArc staff, and Nicole Suke, NeArc staff

We're thrilled to announce that Northeast Arc's 5K for Inclusion and Family Fun Fest will return to Market Street Lynnfield on Sunday, September 15, 2024! Join us to run, walk, or roll and to support services that change lives and discover abilities. Participant on your own, or join a team and fundraise! Register here: https://lnkd.in/e7Qh_Hiz

In this week’s sign of the week, learn how to say “hot and cold” using American Sign Language (ASL). Make the sign for “hot” by forming a “claw” or a loose “c” with your dominant hand. Place your thumb and fingers at the sides of your mouth. Quickly turn your hand forward and down as if removing something hot from your mouth. Make the sign for “cold” by forming both hands into the letter “s.” Hold both hands in front of you and shake them as if shivering from the cold. Thank you to Northeast Arc’s Deaf Services team for compiling these signs!

Since launching two years ago our podcast All Things Disability has featured leaders from across the disability community – from self-advocates fighting for inclusion to doctors pushing for health equity. Celebrate #DisabilityPrideMonth by listening to some of these enlightening conversations that show what is possible when we make inclusion for all a priority. https://lnkd.in/ehtFzBSs

Today marks the start of Disability Pride Month! It is celebrated in July to mark the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), landmark legislation that broke down barriers to inclusion in society. Disability Pride Month is an opportunity to honor the history, achievements, experiences, and struggles of the disability community. People with disabilities deserve to live full, self-determined lives, just like everyone else. Yet discrimination persists for the 1 in 4 U.S. adults living with a disability. That’s why Northeast Arc – and other organizations – will be using July as an opportunity to show what is possible with inclusion. Visit the The Arc of the United States blog for more information on Disability Pride Month, including ways you can celebrate in your community: https://lnkd.in/gGcrBXz3 The colors you see in this graphic represent the Disability Pride Flag, which was designed by Ann Magill, a disabled woman and artist. The color and design of the flag are symbolic: The Charcoal Gray Field: A color of mourning and rage; for those who are victims of Ableist violence, and also rebellion and protest The Five Colors (White, Red, Gold, Blue, Green): The variety of needs and experiences (Invisible and undiagnosed disabilities, physical disabilities, neurodivergence, psychiatric disabilities, sensory disabilities) The Parallel Stripes: Solidarity within the disability community and all its differences The Diagonal Band: “Cutting across” barriers that separate disabled people; creativity and light cutting through the darkness

Northeast Arc celebrated the success of four more interns earlier this month. The primary purpose in design for Breaking Grounds and parcels was to provide real-life, hands-on training to people supported to better prepare them for he workforce. 85% of the graduates have chosen to enter the workforce and are thriving at businesses throughout the north shore.

Congratulations to the latest graduates from Northeast Arc's Project Perk and Project Parcels programs! 🎉 Chase Hunter and Karina Jimenez celebrated completing Project Perk at Breaking Grounds Café, where they learned all aspects of working in food service, from taking orders to making smoothies. Meanwhile, Alyssa Hanwell and Jess Freeland worked at parcels where they learned retail skills such as merchandising and checking out customers. Each of these graduates will now take these skills and seek out employment in our community. Since launching, 39 individuals have completed the internship programs and 33 have secured jobs in the community! First photo: Chase Hunter, Kristen Martin, Breaking Grounds assistant manager, Knicki Foss, NeArc business operations manager, Karina Jimenez, and Victoria Burge, Breaking Grounds manager Second photo: Lori Packert, parcels sales associate, Jes Freeland, Sadete Mandri, parcels manager, Alyssa Hanwell Third photo: Karina makes espresso Fourth photo: Chase greets a customer Fifth photo: Jess smiles while holding up parcels products Sixth photo: Alyssa organizes colorful plates

Thank you to these great youth volunters from Next Step Ministries who built this beautiful raised garden bed at one of our homes in Danvers 💐🏡