#NonprofitNovember is highlighting Creative Collective’s nonprofit Business Members in a series of featured interviews. These short features will grant some insight into how these nonprofits have grown and developed through the years and how they plan to use what they’ve learned to further their respective missions in 2022.
This Holiday season, follow the hashtag #NonprofitNovember to learn more about the nonprofit organizations in the communities, and discover how to support their ongoing efforts in a meaningful way.
Interviewee: Tim Brown, Director of Innovation and Strategy
What is your role within the organization, and what is your organization’s mission?
Northeast Arc changes the lives of people with disabilities and autism, their families and the community they reside in; developing supports and services that enable a person to be fully included in the communities of their choice.
What’s something you are proud of / something you achieved this year as an organization?
This past year has been a huge challenge for every business. As an organization that works directly with people who have higher risks of developing more significant effects from COVID, one of our primary focuses was to keep people healthy and safe. As an advocacy organization working towards full inclusion, this meant redefining how some of our programs operate and developing experiences that were inclusive, but yet still safe. Despite needing to be cautious and reactive to current health data, the Northeast Arc also remained focused on future initiatives that will continue to positively impact people we support and the greater communities. Northeast Arc developed a technology assessment and lending library and will roll out remote supports January 1st.
This initiative will promote and increase a person’s independence in their home, work and social life while decreasing their dependency on direct support staff. Northeast Arc is also partnering with the Lynn Public Schools to provide neurotypical students with an opportunities to create connectiveness through a mentorship program that will also provide life skill building, mentorship and paid participation through internships.
Tell us a time that you saw your vision in action?
I have been at the Northeast Arc long enough to have seen so many personal milestones being achieved. Some major ones that highlight Northeast Arc’s services and I experienced directly were watching a young child, after suffering paralysis from a rare condition, being able to take his first independent steps after months of intensive therapy with our staff, a gentlemen in his early 30’s using the newest eye gazing techniques to be able to verbalize his thoughts and feelings for the first time in his life and a woman in her 40’s get her first job offer after completing an internship training program at parcels.
What’s something you would like your followers to know about your organization that they may not already know?
Most people are surprised at the impact Northeast Arc has in the community. We provide supports and services to over 15,000 people and their families in nearly 200 communities in Massachusetts with over 1100 staff. Our services range from birth through the lifespan. We own multiple small businesses including a nearly 60-year old chair caning business, a document destruction company, Breaking Grounds coffee shop, parcels gift store and Peabody’s Black Box. We also host the largest known social innovation contest that seeks out ideas that will positively disrupt how disability services are provided. Through the Arc Tank we have awarded over $650,000 in the past three contests to 10 organizations.
Who is your organization for?
Northeast Arc primarily supports people with developmental and intellectual disabilities and autism. Early Intervention also supports children who may have, or be at risk of, delays in developmental milestones; Clinical Services provides direct support nursing to people with intensive medical needs; Personal Care Management and Adult Foster Care also support people with physical limitations or aging concerns.
Where can people find out more about your organization and support its ongoing efforts?
Creative Collective Launches 2021 #StayLocal Campaign
Initiative encourages community to shop small and support local small businesses this November and December
The approaching Holiday season is putting people in the shopping, eating, and drinking mood as small businesses across the North Shore are gearing up for the busiest time of the year. Following up the successful 2020 #StayLocal campaign, Creative Collective is launching #StayLocal2021, encouraging individuals to shop and support small this upcoming holiday season. Learn more.
