March was a busy month at The Arc! Throughout the month we continued our vaccination efforts for staff and individuals who fell within the scope of the state’s guidelines, administering another 72 shots.
We're thankful for the progress the state and country have made in the vaccine rollout effort and encourage everyone to visit the MA.gov Vaccine Website to learn if you are eligible to get vaccinated, pre-register for an appointment, and locate a vaccination site.
We were also very excited to welcome a small group of people back to our Archways and Pathways Community-Based Day Supports and Employment Support programs. We hope to welcome more people back soon but a number of variables, including spacing issues, will ultimately determine how the next phase of our reopening rolls out. We will be sure to continue to publish updates as soon as they become available.
Remember, virtual support sessions and classes remain an option for all Day Program participants. These sessions provide engaging ways to connect that are skill acquisition, socialization, and recreationally focused. Updated virtual class schedules can be obtained from Program Directors or found on our website, so please continue to join in!
Finally, our Bridging Abilities Online Auction active bidding is set to begin at 8am on April 8th! We're putting together a fantastic program featuring Arc staff, individuals we support, local legislators, and community partners highlighting organizational challenges and achievements throughout this past year. You’ll see first-hand how important your ongoing support is - especially now. Please tune in anytime between April 8th and April 10th to support our #ArcCovidRelief Fund, and to learn more about our COVID-19 response and how you can help.
Wishing you and yours all the best,
Mary Valachovic
Executive Director
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Events
Bridging Abilities Online Auction
Community members can support our #ArcCovidRelief Fund by bidding on services, gift cards, and unique items contributed by local businesses and donors.
8am on Thurs, April 8th
through
8pm on Sat, April 10th
Arc of Massachusetts Weekly Webinar Series
On Thursday, April 1, The Arc's Ellen Taverna and Maura Sullivan will be joined by special guest Susannah Savage from Senator Warren's office. Susannah will discuss key provisions in the recently passed American Rescue Plan and how they impact the I/DD and autism community. She'll also talk about other proposed legislation supported by Senator Warren benefiting people with disabilities and the state of affairs in this Congress to move these bills forward.
Thursday, April 1
12:00pm
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Bridging Abilities Auction
Our online auction fundraiser is nearly here! Mark your calendar for April 8 - April 10, and get ready to bid!
The Bridging Abilities Auction will help our organization manage expenses related to COVID-19 and build our #ArcCovidRelief Fund.
Funds raised will assist in so many ways - including but not limited to providing emergency financial relief to individuals and families we support.
Bidding opens at 8am on April 8th and continues until 8pm on April 10th. Items range from restaurant and store gift cards to luxury vacation packages, and everything in between!
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Electronics and
Health + Beauty Items
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Fitness and Health Gift Certificates |
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Cape Corner Updates
We have continued to build meaningful community partnerships during the month of March!
Earlier in the month, The Arc of Plymouth and Upper Cape Cod was featured in a Falmouth Chamber of Commerce’s Member Spotlight video! Kathy Baldwin, Director of Program Development, met with Betsy West to share information about the work we do here at the Arc! You can view the video here >
We also presented an overview of the Arc’s services to Cape Cod Early Learning Network and connected with various organizations to share local resources - there are so many wonderful things happening in the early learning community on the Cape! To learn more about the Early Learning Network, please reach out to the Chair, Lauren Melillo, lmelillo@sandwich.k12.ma.us.
Lastly, we were so pleased to connect with Nicole Perreira with the Kennedy Donovan Center’s Cape and the Islands Family Support Center! www.kdc.org. Please be sure to visit their website to learn more about their upcoming events and the services they offer to families!
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Individual Tutoring, Pre-Covid |
Steve reading to the blind at the Talking Information Center, WATD Radio Station |
Steve volunteering at the YMCA |
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Steve Flavin - A Success Story! |
This month, we'd like to highlight the amazing achievements of one of our participants, Steven Flavin. Here is Steve's story, told by his mother, Terri.
"After Steve graduated from high school, he wanted to volunteer at many places to gain an insight into varied workplaces. With the support of his coach,
they travel trained on GATRA and the MBTA to the organizations.
One day a week, he began reading to the blind on the radio, WATD, in Marshfield. He added movie production at Marshfield Community Television, shelving books and CDs at Ventress Memorial Library. He also completed various projects including light office work at New Again in Plymouth, The Hanover YMCA, and the South Shore Natural Science Center. Soon he was active every day of the week at the organizations, much to his enjoyment.
After completing one year of service and volunteering, he enrolled at The Fluency Factory in Cohasset. He wanted to improve his reading comprehension and foundational skills, and they served Special Education students in their programs. He hit the jackpot. Steve enjoyed tutoring in reading and math with their one-on-one, individual approach. After several months of tutoring, the director of The Fluency Factory asked Steve if he would be willing to enroll in a free online college course and that they would tutor him throughout the semester and assured him they would provide the necessary support. Steve was eager for this new learning opportunity and finished the online course with their expertise and guidance. They suggested Steve apply to Massasoit Community College and SNHU. He was thrilled upon learning he had been accepted to both schools.
DDS and The Arc continually wrote goals for Steve's future educational interests and provided the necessary funding for private tutoring. This allowed Steve to access the curriculum at his level, as he followed the course rubric to achieve academic success. It started out with Steve taking one course each semester for a couple of years, and in 2021 he began taking two courses a semester. He is thankful for the generous support from The Arc and DDS in providing this one-on-one tutoring funding."
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Bridging Abilities Auction
Sponsors
The Arc would not have been able to put together our upcoming Bridging Abilities Auction without the steadfast support of these incredible organizations and businesses.
We thank these valued community partners!
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Coastline Technologies offers full-service IT support and phone services to businesses of all sizes. As a family-owned company in Lakeville, MA, they understand the importance of IT solutions that keep your business protected and running smoothly. They handle all things IT so that you can focus on growing your business.
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Need help managing your company’s vehicles and equipment? You’ve come to the right people. Capital Lease Group is an independent, full-service fleet management services company based in Brockton, MA, and serves local, regional, and national companies. Whether you are leasing one vehicle or 100 vehicles, we offer an array of personalized services, from leasing to sales, or local to nationwide maintenance support, convenient fuel cards, and rental replacements.
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At Coastal Heritage Bank, our focus has always been on supporting community growth by serving customer needs. This focus defines and differentiates us on both the North and South Shores. With 15 convenient branches, a comprehensive range of personal and business products, an experienced team of financial professionals and 24/7 online and mobile banking services, we stand ready to help you. After all, isn’t that what neighbors are for?
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We specialize in business insurance, home insurance, car insurance and more throughout Southeastern MA and the South Coast of MA. At Morse, we always offer you friendly, knowledgeable advice, a wide assortment of options from the top regional and national insurance carriers, and competitive rates and additional savings for your auto, home, and business insurance. So, how do you upgrade your same old insurance experience to a truly exceptional one?
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Tri-M Maintenance, Inc. is a leader in professional janitorial services for commercial property owners, managers and developers throughout Greater Boston, eastern Massachusetts and the south shore. For over 30 years, Tri-M has provided high quality janitorial service and office cleaning service to businesses and properties of all scopes and sizes from Boston to Cape Cod.
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Shanahan Drywall and Plastering is a professional drywall and plastering company. We have been serving Cape Cod and the South Shore since 1983. Our services include residential and commercial space. We specialize in metal stud framing, blueboard, skim coat plastering. drywall taping and finishing. We are licensed and insured.
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Bridging Abilities Auction
Donors
Please join us in thanking these generous local businesses for donating auction items! You can bid on their items and many others beginning April 8th at 8am.
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Vanessa Cosby has been photographing magical moments since 2011. With her relaxed, casual attitude she makes sessions fun and stress-free! Vanessa chooses to focus on the moment and let you create all the magic with her guidance.
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Melissa Viera, or MJ for short, opened MJ’s Pet Training Academy in the spring of 2013 with the mission of providing people and animals with a place where they could learn and have fun in a positive environment. From puppy raising to grooming rehab and behavior help, MJ’s has become “a second home” to dogs from the SouthCoast area.
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Danny's Auto Detailing is a full-service auto detailing company that also offers mobile detailing that serves the South Shore!
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We offer the latest technology in dentistry in a warm and comfortable environment. Dr. David Scardella will respond to all your dental concerns. We especially enjoy making beautiful smiles through cosmetic dentistry, dental implants, crowns, dentures, and veneers.
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From our beginnings in 1898 as a small storefront in Brockton, MA, W.B. Mason has become the second largest privately owned workplace products dealer in the U.S. We are more than just paper, though. Our one stop shopping experience, coupled with amazingly low prices and your own client relations team provides unparalleled service to customers in ‘Masonville’ every day.
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Curtin Brothers Oil delivers heating oil to the following communities in Southeastern Massachusetts: Abington, Avon, Bridgewater, Brockton, Carver, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, Easton, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Holbrook, Kingston, Lakeville, Middleboro, North Plymouth, Norwell, Pembroke, Plympton, Rockland, West Bridgewater, West Plymouth, South Weymouth and Whitman.
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Within the peaceful confines of the Heritage Museums and Gardens you’ll find walking trails, outdoor discovery opportunities, gardens that invite lingering, and exhibits to expand your understanding of art and history. Heritage Museums & Gardens is the largest public garden in Southern New England. It is located on 100 acres of magnificent grounds and trails on the banks of Shawme Pond in Historic Sandwich.
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At Planet Fitness, they know that staying active is more important than ever! All Planet Fitness members enjoy unlimited access to their home club and the support of friendly, knowledgeable staff anytime you need it. They create an environment where you can relax, go at your own pace, and do your own thing without ever having to worry about being judged.
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Enjoy delicious Italian and America fare at a unique hot spot right in Plymouth! From Blackened Salmon Tacos to amazing pizzas, Three V offers an eclectic mix of delicious appetizers, entrees, and drinks. Classic food with a twist.
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Hotel 1620 Plymouth Harbor honors and commemorates the historical significance of our Plymouth Waterfront District location. Now approaching the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower Voyage and the founding of the Plymouth Colony, the hotel is committed to the highest level of service and eager to open their doors and hearts to people who will travel from near and far to enjoy our region's great heritage. Hotel 1620 Plymouth Harbor features a contemporary coastal ambiance with new lobby, guest rooms and banquet facilities. Hotel guests enjoy a higher service standard and many modern conveniences.
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Find home goods and seasonal decor all year-round at Christmas Tree Shops! Fab finds in store...here today, gone tomorrow!
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The Arc of Plymouth and Upper Cape Cod appreciates your support! |
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