Two foundations supporting families with Autism have given their support to help launch the Arc of the South Shore’s new monthly caregiver support groups.
Generous grant funding was received from the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism and Bailey’s Team for Autism, enabling The Arc of the South Shore to offer the support groups and to further enhance The Arc’s Autism Resource Center, which provides referrals, and community-based programming for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families.
The inaugural meeting of the monthly support group featured a popular vision board event. The session was attended by 18 caregivers who, in addition to participating in the vision board activity, had the opportunity to engage and connect with one another.
“Our deepest gratitude to both The Flutie Foundation and Bailey’s Team for Autism for providing grant funding for this important support group,” said Abigail Parrilla, CEO of The Arc of the South Shore. “The challenges of caring with someone with autism become less daunting when they are shared with a strong support network of people who genuinely understand the daily highs and lows.”
The Arc of the South Shore (The Arc) was founded in 1951 when a group of individuals created a school for children with disabilities. Then, in 1967, The Arc was deeded property at Webb State Park in Weymouth; the space gave the agency a permanent home and the opportunity to expand. By the end of the 1980s, The Arc became a multi-service agency. Today, The Arc is a family-oriented, community-based, nonprofit providing information, referrals, and community programs for individuals with disabilities.
These services include an Autism Resource Center, early intervention program, community supports, employment services, day supports and habilitation programs, in-home care, and residential services. All of their programs are based on their six core values of people first, community, transparency, self-determination, diversity, and respect. The Arc serves participants from communities throughout the South Shore, including Abington, Milton, Quincy, Randolph, Braintree, Weymouth, Hingham, Hull, Cohasset, Scituate, and Norwell. Through their 72-year history, they have helped more than 100,000 people.
Learn more at https://arcsouthshore.org
