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Last year, The Arc of the South Shore started an exciting new initiative; an Autism Resource Center. After identifying a need for this type of resource in our geographic area, we began to put a program together and we conducted outreach to families for their input. Currently, the agency has two employees who are devoting part of their time each week on this initiative. During the past year they have been:
- Conducting outreach to families and professionals in the community to identify the most needed supports and services.
- Organizing and providing monthly educational/informational sessions to families in a variety of areas, including, but not limited to: financial planning, IEP development, understanding social security and transition planning.
- Forming parent support groups
- Working on expanding our weekend respite/social skills classes.
Our ability to further develop this exciting new Autism Resource Center is dependent upon your support. We do not receive any type of federal funding; in fact, we do not receive any state funding for a variety of programs we offer. Including dances, cooking classes, weekend respites, weekly field trips and many program enrichment activities such as iPads for communication skills development. Your donation today will help us to continue to provide these services and help us to grow our much needed Autism Resource Center. There are many ways you can donate: donate your car, through our planned giving program and by clicking on the link below. Your donation today will be greatly appreciated by the more than 2,000 individuals and families that we serve each year. Sincerely,
Daryl Cook Ivan
Executive Director
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Achieve with us.
With your support you can help us achieve our goals!
- Increase our capability and capacity to support individuals with Autism and help us develop our Autism Resource Center
- Develop more community based activities for individuals
- Expand community living options for individuals
- Support self advocacy efforts
- Enhance clinical support to our programs resulting in a positive quality of life for each person
- Create innovative new programming
- Support our capital needs to expand our facilities due to increased referrals
The Arc of the South Shore provides Family Support Services, Residential Services, First Early Intervention, Day Services, Employment Services, Adult Foster Care, Personal Care Services and Community Based Day Supports to more than 2,000 individuals each year.
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Help us Celebrate our 65th Anniversary!
4th Annual Gala ~ A Summer Soiree
Thursday, June 9, 2016
As we wrap up another winter in New England, it's time to remind you of our upcoming Summer Soiree. Mark your calendars now for Thursday evening, June 9, 2016. Enjoy an evening of gourmet food, fine wine, spirits and craft beer. The Arc of the South Shore is excited to share this evening with you as we celebrate 65 years of providing services and advocacy to our individuals and families on the South Shore and beyond. Stay tuned for some fun and innovating ideas which will help make this evening the talk of the town!!! Don't forget your dancing shoes as the music will be provided once again by Music and Arts Innovation Group, Inc. We look forward to seeing you all there!! For ticket sales and sponsor information, please Visit our Website.
Art Show ~ Gallery Opening, Thursday, March 31st - 6:00pm
Artists of all abilities are invited to create a piece for the exhibit
South Shore YMCA's Laura's Center for the Arts
Art Exhibit - March through April
Mingle and Jingle - 2nd Annual Family Holiday Concert
This past December, The Arc of the South Shore hosted our 2nd Annual Mingle and Jingle - A Family Holiday Concert! The concert was held on December 10th at The Center for the Arts, Thayer Academy in Braintree featuring The Atlantic Symphony Orchestra. We were very excited that many of our individuals, families and staff were able to enjoy this holiday event. We would like to extend a very special thank you to Patrick Birmingham as he wowed the crowd with his extraordinary talent on his piano.
The Atlantic Symphony Orchestra performed a very interactive concert, including a sing-a-long, and a very special visit from Santa Claus!! It was a wonderful and festive night and a great way to celebrate the holiday season with our Arc friends and family! Stay tuned for some exciting updates and new changes for next year!
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The Autism Resource Center of
The Arc of the South Shore
The Arc of the South Shore is excited to announce that we have created our very own Autism Resource Center. With the dramatic increase in
Autism-related diagnoses, and a gap in family support services for families specifically dealing with this diagnosis, we have embarked on this initiative to develop a resource center serving our individuals and families in the South Shore area. In this initiative, we have identified several key areas of importance for families which include:
- Information Sessions and Family Workshops
- Family Support Groups
- Expanded Weekend Respite Programming
- After-School Programming
As we move forward in our planning, the future is bright!! With the addition of our Autism Resource Center, we hope to provide life changing experiences that empower, not only the child, but also the family!
Upcoming Programs:
Monday, February 29, 2016 - Support Group for Parents of Children with Autism
6:00pm - 8:00pm
The Arc of the South Shore
574 Main Street,
South Weymouth
Friday, March 11, 2016 - St. Patrick's Day Dance (open to everyone)
6:00pm - 9:00pm
Cohasset Lightkeeper's House
15 Lighthouse Lane, Cohasset
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Board of Director Spotlight - Robert McDonald 
The Arc of the South Shore is proud to announce our newest Board of Director, Robert McDonald.
Robert McDonald is a partner at RSM US LLP with over 21 years experience in the areas of federal and state taxation, including corporate acquisitions and dispositions, tax accounting methods and international taxation. Prior to joining RSM, Rob was a partner at Caturano and Company and a senior tax manager for Arthur Anderson in Boston.
Rob also has several professional affiliations which include: Massachusetts Society of Public Accountants, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and Certified Public Accountants of Massachusetts.
Rob's interest with the Arc of the South Shore began as "wanting to help out if there was a need and I could be of assistance." Rob learned of The Arc through the internal foundation run by his employer, the RSM US Foundation. As part of the Grantmaking Committee of the foundation, Rob heard about the outstanding programming and services The Arc provides and hoped to get involved in one way or another. Rob's first experience with The Arc was working with the Golf Committee for their Annual Golf Tournament. It was that experience, along with attending our Annual Gala & speaking with many of our families, that it became clear to Rob he would like to become even more involved with our organization.
As a board member, Rob's extensive financial background is sure to be an asset in our future plans. As Rob learns more about the overall needs of our organization, he is beginning to understand the challenges faced both organizationally and by our individuals. "It is clear that continued funding to assist our individuals with developmental disabilities is essential to not only our individuals, but also their families. "The needs of our individuals remain our priority, and as I am learning, it takes a village."
Rob is also a member of the Red Sox Foundation and the Massachusetts General Hospital Red, White and Blue Alliance which supports their HomeBase Program assisting post 9/11 veterans and family members. Rob is also on the Board of Directors of Last Hope K9 - a dog rescue organization based in Boston. Rob's other interests include golfing, boating and skiing. He also enjoys running or hiking with his 1 year old lab, and spending time with his four nieces and nephews. We are very grateful for all the support Rob has given us here at The Arc, and look forward to building a great future together!
If you are interested in learning more about Board opportunities, please contact Daryl Cook-Ivan by email or calling 781-335-3023.
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Out and About
Helping the Community
T
his past holiday season, Sue from our Community-Based Day Supports organized a donation drive for Carolina Hill - a local non-profit providing a safe haven, support and guidance to homeless families as they strive to rebuild independent lives. Sue reminds us that "we need to help those less fortunate than us", and she hoped to help some of the children affected by homelessness on the South Shore. Sue and our other individuals were very successful in this endeavor, and dropped off several bags of non-perishable food, personal care items (such as toothpaste, shampoo, soap, etc), blankets, children's clothing, books and of course, toys!! The staff members of Carolina Hill were very excited and greatly appreciated the donation.
This is not Sue's first time thinking of those in need. She has previously orchestrated donation drives for Interfaith Social Services in Quincy as well. In addition to organizing different donation drives, Sue also volunteers at the South Shore YMCA Food Pantry, South Shore Science Center, Interfaith Social Services and the Whipple Senior Center. Thanks Sue for all your hard work and thinking of others in need!!
Cooking Classes 
Individuals from The Arc of the South Shore's Community Based Day Supports Program are currently taking cooking classes that are being taught by Share Our Strength's, Cooking Matters Program. The classes are a 6-week series and t
eaches participants to shop smarter by using nutritional information to make healthier choices, as well as how to cook delicious affordable meals. The classes also help to empower our individuals to be self-sufficient in the kitchen. The course meets for two hours, once a week for six weeks and are team taught by a volunteer culinary and nutrition education teacher.
Participants practice fundamental food  skills including proper knife techniques, reading ingredient labels, and making healthy meals on a $10 budget. Each person also gets to take home a bag of groceries after each class so they can practice the recipes taught that day! Thanks to a grant from The Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association, The Arc of the South Shore already had most of the cooking utensils and equipment that they needed. Bon Appetit!  back to top |
Family Spotlight - Meet Daniel 
When Daniel was turning 22, he was getting ready to exit school and that's when the Arc of the South Shore came back into Daniel's life. Early on, Daniel was diagnosed with
Autism and the family reached out to The Arc's Early
Intervention program.
After graduating from Early Intervention, which mom Tricia says was life changing, Daniel entered the public school system and would be there until he turned 22. Upon turning 22, Daniel "graduated" from school but had no funding for a Day program and no services from DDS. Daniel's mom, Tricia, had to quit her job to stay home and care for Daniel. Tricia heard about The Arc's Adult Family Care (AFC) program and called Katie,
The Director of the program.
The Adult Family Care is a Mass Health program which pays family/non family members to provide care to a loved one. The money the Noble's received from the AFC program helped to cover their living costs and the staff provided some much needed support and guidance. Within a couple of months of being part of the AFC program, Tricia also became involved with the Arc's Family Support program.
The Family Support program provides information and referral, educational forums, assistance in navigating services, and some social and recreational opportunities. With the help of the Family
Support staff, Tricia was able to secure funding for Daniel so that he could attend a day program. Daniel also joined the Special Olympics swim team and in his first year he won 2 gold medals and 1 silver. ( The picture is of Daniel waiting to receive his gold medal at Harvard University.) Daniel is now 23 years old, loving his Day Program, excited for swimming to start, and hoping to work with
animals in the near future. Tricia has said that "without The Arc's AFC and Family Supports programs, I don't know where we would be right now. "I couldn't have gone through this process without their support, knowledge, and compassion. I can't say enough about how outstanding The Arc has been. They have helped in so many ways and anytime I need anything, they are there to help." Tricia also says that " I am so proud of how far Daniel has come, where he is today, and excited about the
future. I know The Arc of the South Shore will continue the journey with us and I couldn't be more grateful."
The Arc of the South Shore's Adult Family Care Program is an Arc program funded by Mass Health that pays family or non family members to care for people with disabilities or elderly adults in a home setting. The goal of the program is to delay or prevent out of home placements for individuals who cannot live safely on their own. For more information, please contact Katie Hanley or call
781-335-3023 x2230.
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Other News
FY17 Budget Ask
Advocacy has begun for Family Support, Turning-22, employment and other important programs that help children and adults. Whether you call, write or email, please share our budget fact sheet with your State Legislators.
Our budget requests focus upon the Supporting Families campaign and community line items which relate to adult services and turning 22. Your participation makes a difference as representatives and senators will be responsive to you as a resident in their district.
DOWNLOAD BUDGETS AND FACT SHEETS
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Upcoming Events and Programs
38th Legislative Reception "Celebrating the Strength of Individuals & Families"
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
10:30am - 12:00pm
Great Hall, The State House, Boston
This is an ideal opportunity for persons with disabilities, family members, advocates, state agency heads, their staff and legislators to interact and catch up on legislative priorities and other important issues. Please set up an appointment with your legislator in advance and encourage them to attend the legislative reception!
FIND YOUR LEGISLATOR
St. Patrick's Day Dance
Friday, March, 11, 2016
6:00pm - 9:00pm
The Cohasset Lightkeeper's House, Cohasset
The Arc of Massachusetts - Webinar Series
March 15, 2016 - Pooled Trusts
March 29, 2016 - Transition Series: An Overview of Basic Government Benefits
April 5, 2016 - Accessing Health Care for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder
April 12, 2016 - Positive Behavior Supports
April 13, 2016 - Helping Your Child to Lead: Student Driven Secondary Transition
April 26, 2016 - Transition Series: Autonomy, Decision Making Supports & Guardianship
The Disability Policy Seminar 2016
April 11 - 13, 2016
Washington, DC
The Basics of Special Needs Planning with Annette Hines
April 14, 2016 - 6:00pm - 8:00pm
The Quarry Restaurant, Hingham
4th Annual Gala - A Summer Soiree
Thursday, June 9, 2016
6:30pm - The Arc of the South Shore, North Weymouth
29th Annual Louis Bailey Golf Tournament
Monday, September 12, 2016
Cohasset Golf Club - 175 Lamberts Lane, Cohasset
More details coming soon
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The Arc of the South Shore
