Real Stories of Employment
Monday, October 20 @ 12:00PM

In honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), join CEO Maura Sullivan for a panel discussion about the importance of employment opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism. Learn about the experiences of both employers and employees, including:

• Tara Kelly, the manager of Inspire Cafe, and Mia Kruppa, a cafe employee
• Mira Spiegel, half of the mother-daughter team behind Zo Much More
• Dean Rizzo, Executive Director of The Arc of Greater Brockton, which just opened its new AGB Employment Services building

People with IDD and autism can contribute meaningfully through employment. Hear from our panelists about how inclusive opportunities make this possible.

Immigration and the Disability Community:
Know Your Rights Overview and Training
Monday, October 20 @ 3:00PM

The danger posed to people with IDD and autism and their care professionals by current immigration policies are of deep concern to our community. Join us for a webinar featuring Susan Church, Chief Operating Officer from the Massachusetts Office for Refugees and Immigrants (ORI), and The Arc’s Government Affairs team for an overview of ICE enforcement beyond basic warrant requirements.

Topics include when ICE may be required to show a warrant, an overview of the rules regarding when ICE is required to show a badge, and rules about when ICE can legally stop a car. In addition, the session will cover what community organizations and non-lawyers can do to help immigrants prepare for potential ICE detention or assist families in wake of an ICE detention. 

Susan Church has advocated for immigration rights for more than 25 years. Her goal is to help achieve ORI’s mission of “full participation of refugees and immigrants as self-sufficient individuals and families in the economic, social, and civic life of Massachusetts.” Church’s work has been recognized by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court and Suffolk Law School. Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly honored her with the Attorney of the Year award. 

This training will summarize the current landscape, share resources, and more. There will be time for questions, but ORI cannot answer questions regarding an ongoing or personal immigration case. If you need support, please reach out to a legal aid nonprofit.

The Arc’s Housing Series:
Creating a Home
Wednesday, October 22 @ 12:00PM

The second in The Arc’s housing series: Creating a Home will build on the previous session by exploring alternative housing models, access to services and technology that support independent living, person-centered planning for housing that meets your needs, circles of support, and other key areas. Led by Catherine Boyle, president of Autism Housing Pathways and former commissioner of the Winchester Housing Authority, this session will focus on what it takes to create a supportive, living environment that truly is a home.

Three Evenings of Friendship: Video Screening Series

Friendships matter, bringing joy and comfort during good times and bad! These short, friendship stories each tell the story of a pair of friends–one with and one without a disability. They highlight the simple beauty and possibility of friendship. Join Pathways to Friendship over three Tuesday evenings to watch these uplifting videos and virtually meet the friends after each screening.

Friends from the Start
Tuesday, December 2 @ 7:00PM

• • Jonathan and Joy: Friends Reconnected
  • Austin and Alex: Charting a Course to Friendship
  • Third friendship pairing to be confirmed!

Friendship Has No Age Limits
Tuesday, February 3 @ 7:00PM

• • Warren and Velvet: Like Peanut Butter and Jelly
  • Seth and Evan: A Friendship Match Made in Heaven
  • Third friendship pairing to be confirmed!