DANVERS — Northeast Arc, a not-for-profit organization that helps children and adults with, or at risk for developing, disabilities become full participants in the community, is pleased to announce it has received a $10,000 grant from the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism.
These funds will provide critical information and support to families supported by Northeast Arc’s Family Resource Center, which serves Beverly, Danvers, Essex, Gloucester, Hamilton, Lynn, Manchester, Marblehead, Middleton, Nahant, Peabody, Rockport, Salem, Swampscott, Topsfield and Wenham.
The Family Resource Center helps families identify what is needed to maintain the integrity of their family, to decrease or alleviate stress, and to become full participants in their communities.
The Flutie funding will help individuals with autism and their families through advocacy programs, direct family support, safety equipment, respite services, and other opportunities that will enhance the quality of life for those affected.
“This grant from the Flute Foundation will play a critical role in expanding the supports we can provide to children and their families,” said Aymee Lucifora, Family Resource Center Program Director. “Not only will this funding support opportunities to maximize independence and inclusion for children with autism, it will also give the Family Resource Center more flexibility in supporting our families. We will have the opportunity to help people immediately when they need it.”
Northeast Arc has been grateful to receive funding from the Flutie Foundation for two decades.
“The Flutie Foundation Signature Grants help our partner agencies address a variety of significant needs in the autism community,” said Nick Savarese, Executive Director of The Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism. “Programs like these are helping people on the autism spectrum live life to the fullest and we are proud to support their efforts.”
Based in Framingham, the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism awards grants annually through a competitive application and review process.
The signature grants that the Flutie Foundation distributed this year support traditionally under-served, under-funded, culturally diverse communities reflected in the Foundation’s areas of interest; providing a path for educational and vocational skills, supporting recreational and active lifestyles, and ensuring people with autism are safe, supported and informed.
Northeast Arc (NeArc) changes lives for people with disabilities — and children at risk of developing them — and their families.
The agency, which opened the Center for Linking Lives at Liberty Tree Mall in Danvers in 2020, serves thousands of people in nearly 200 Massachusetts cities and towns each year.
Former NFL quarterback Doug Flutie, and his wife Laurie started the Doug Flutie, Jr. Flutie Foundation for Autism in 1998 after their son, Dougie, was diagnosed with autism at the age of three.
Their personal experience of raising a son on the autism spectrum inspired them to help others on an equally long and challenging journey. Over its 20-year history, the Flutie Foundation has distributed over $15 million to schools and organizations who provide clinical therapies, respite services, recreational programs, social skills training, job supports and more for people affected by autism.
For more information about the Flutie Foundation, visit https://www.flutiefoundation.org.