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- Northeast Arc
Northeast Arc
Purpose
Northeast Arc was founded in 1954 by parents of children with developmental disabilities who wanted to raise their sons and daughters as full members of the community. By having the courage to challenge professionals who told them their children could not be educated and would not live to become adults, these parents created the systems that enabled them to attend public schools, develop friendships, reside in the neighborhoods of their choice and to earn a paycheck. Over the years, our programs have expanded to support children and adults with a broader range of disabilities, including autism and physical disabilities. Today we positively impact the lives of approximately 10,000 people in nearly 190 cities and towns. The goal of the Northeast Arc is to ensure that children and adults with disabilities are able to live, work, engage in civic life and play in the community. We work toward that goal by offering a wide variety of programs including Autism Services, Day Habilitation, Deaf Services, Early Intervention, Employment Services, Family Support, Personal Care Assistance, Recreation, Residential and Transition Services.
Vision
At Northeast Arc, we’re inventors, determined to find ways to improve the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
How do we invent?
We deliver services in innovative ways.
In 2020, we opened The Center for Linking Lives at Liberty Tree Mall, repurposing 26,000 feet of unused retail space into a new public hub for our services, placing people with disabilities in the heart of our community. The Center features parcels, a store with products made by people with disabilities or autism, or through organizations that support them.
We seek out and back new ideas.
With support from our Changing Lives Fund and other foundations and individuals, we run an annual innovation competition called the Arc Tank. Each fall, entrants compete for generous grants to support their ideas that promise to proposals that promise to break down barriers for people with disabilities. To date, we have received nearly 500 entries from 42 states and 13 countries. These competitors propose real solutions to real problems. The Arc Tank has awarded more than $1 million to a range of winners over the past 5 years.
We make innovative investments in community infrastructure.
In 2016, we opened our first Breaking Grounds Café on Boston’s North Shore, offering paid job training to people with disabilities who want to work in the hospitality industry.
How do we invent?
We deliver services in innovative ways.
In 2020, we opened The Center for Linking Lives at Liberty Tree Mall, repurposing 26,000 feet of unused retail space into a new public hub for our services, placing people with disabilities in the heart of our community. The Center features parcels, a store with products made by people with disabilities or autism, or through organizations that support them.
We seek out and back new ideas.
With support from our Changing Lives Fund and other foundations and individuals, we run an annual innovation competition called the Arc Tank. Each fall, entrants compete for generous grants to support their ideas that promise to proposals that promise to break down barriers for people with disabilities. To date, we have received nearly 500 entries from 42 states and 13 countries. These competitors propose real solutions to real problems. The Arc Tank has awarded more than $1 million to a range of winners over the past 5 years.
We make innovative investments in community infrastructure.
In 2016, we opened our first Breaking Grounds Café on Boston’s North Shore, offering paid job training to people with disabilities who want to work in the hospitality industry.
Mission
The Northeast Arc helps people with disabilities become full participants in the community; choosing for themselves how to live, learn, work, socialize and play.