Northshore magazine showcases the best that the North Shore of Boston, MA has to offer.
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78 DECEMBER 2020 I N - D E P T H LEARN MORE AND SHOP ONLINE BY VISITING ne-arc.org/parcels The Moline Family of North Reading has relied on Northeast Arc's Autism Support Center (ASC) since their son Bob was diagnosed in 2005. "The Arc has helped educate us about Autism, advocacy, the ins and outs of educational services, and transition to adult services," says Kathleen Moline, Bob's mother and co-chair of the Autism Support Center's advisory board. "We are excited that ASC is moving to new space at the Liberty Tree Mall and will be located in the heart of the community and can't wait to see what new opportunities this space will create for all the families they serve." Liberty Tree Mall's access to public transportation and central location will increase the Northeast Arc's capacity to better serve individuals and families from a wider geographic area and be a major benefit for staff that relies on public transportation. Since nearly all of the people with disabilities served through these programs do not drive, having access to public transportation is critical. "Malls are important hubs for community gathering, and the Center for Linking Lives is an exciting opportunity to bring individuals with disabilities into these spaces," says Mike Connell, Liberty Tree Mall manager. "We're thrilled to partner with Northeast Arc to help promote an inclusive environment, and we're hopeful that the success of this project at the Liberty Tree Mall can be replicated at properties across the country." The Center for Linking Lives is made possible by gifts through Northeast Arc's Campaign for Linking Lives, which has already raised more than $1 million toward its $3 million fundraising goal. The campaign is being co-chaired by Swampscott resident Ralph James, executive director of External Relations at Harvard Business School and Salem resident Darcy Immerman, chair of Northeast Arc board of directors. As the parent of an adult daughter with a disability, James knows the impact that a place like the Center for Linking Lives can have. "It's critical that young people get the education they deserve and, once formal education ends, they have a job that provides structure and positive feedback," James says. "The Center for Linking Lives addresses inclusion. It forms a community that will benefit the people it serves and everyone around them. We are creating a playbook that can be used across the country and around the world." "By introducing the general public to the array of services provided by Northeast Arc, the Center for Linking Lives will demonstrate first-hand what people with disabilities can achieve if given the opportunity to succeed," adds Simons. "I'm extremely proud of this Center and the staff that made this happen, as it is another example of how the Northeast Arc is changing lives every day." Open 7 days a week. • Evening hours • Telemedicine appointments • Drive-thru testing & vaccinations ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS Compassionate, comprehensive care from infancy through adulthood. 9 7 8 . 7 7 4 . 2 5 5 5 147 South Main Street, Middleton, MA f a m i l y m e d i c i n e m i d d l e t o n . c o m