The Arc of Massachusetts Progress and Possibility Gala

Progress and Possibility

The Arc of Massachusetts 2026 Gala

Thursday, March 26, 2026 6:00 – 9:00pm

UMass Club Boston, One Beacon Street, 32nd Floor, Boston, Massachusetts

Celebrate the strength, unity, and progress of our community at this inspiring evening featuring a reception, moving stories, and an uplifting program. Let’s shine a light on what is possible when we come together to improve the lives of individuals with autism intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families.

Please contact Katrin Aback, Senior Director of Development and Communications, at aback@arcmass.org or 781-891-6270 x105 to learn about sponsorship.

Sponsorships

As a sponsor, you will sustain The Arc’s vital advocacy and programs that create opportunity, equality, and lasting impact across Massachusetts.

Download Sponsorship Opportunities (PDF)

Honoring Our Partners in Progress

Hon. Denise Garlick

Commission on the Status of Individuals with Disabilities

Brian Kremer

Mass Advocates Standing Strong

Dorothy Weiss Tolchin, M.D.

Harvard Medical School

Master of Ceremonies

Karen Anderson

Karen Anderson is an award-winning journalist and a member of WCVB’s 5 Investigates. Since joining the station’s investigative unit in 2014, she has broken numerous high-profile stories and has exposed some of the largest issues facing communities across the state. Her reporting exposed the gap in how people with disabilities are protected in Massachusetts which allowed caregivers accused of abuse, but never arrested or convicted, to remain working in the industry. A law was passed in 2020 to create a registry of employees to track abusers and prevent them from hurting other adults with disabilities.

In her career, Karen has worked as an investigative, political, and general assignment reporter. She has covered the biggest stories in the region including the local response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Boston Marathon Bombing, the arrest of Boston mobster Whitey Bulger, the opioid crisis, and the deadly nationwide meningitis outbreak caused by the New England Compounding Center. Karen grew up in Concord, MA and graduated from Brown University, where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in History. In her free time, she enjoys golf, skiing, waterskiing, and cheering on Boston sports teams. She lives with her family in the Greater Boston area.

Musical Entertainment

Lori Diamond and Fred Abatelli with Anelise

This memorable family band is delivering inspiring performances wrapped in heavenly harmony throughout New England. They offer substance, soul, and joy as they share their passions for music and inclusion. They are also the founders of Music Includes, which cultivates and provides enriching adaptive performance opportunities to individuals of all abilities.

Sponsors

Presenting Sponsor

Tracy and John Atkinson

Silver Sponsor

Rick Daswani

John, Susan, and James Nadworny

John Santosuosso

Advocate Sponsor

Jayme and
Robert Betts

Supporter Sponsor

Brian Cusack

Friend Sponsor