Danvers-Based Nonprofit Finalist For Award

From the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network: The Massachusetts Nonprofit Network (MNN) is pleased to announce that Northeast Arc, Inc. has been selected as a finalist for the 2018 Nonprofit Excellence Award in Collaboration. The Excellence Awards will be presented at MNN’s annual celebration of Nonprofit Awareness Day: A Celebration of Nonprofit Excellence presented by Citizens Bank, a statewide holiday that highlights the work of the nonprofit sector and raises awareness of causes throughout Massachusetts presented by Citizens Bank, at the Massachusetts State House on Monday, June 4.

"The Nonprofit Excellence Awards honor the important work being done by nonprofits in every subsector and region of Massachusetts," said Jim Klocke, CEO of the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network. "We are excited to celebrate the effectiveness and diversity of these impressive finalists and the dedication and impact of the 33,000 nonprofits and more than half a million nonprofit employees in Massachusetts."

The Excellence Award in Collaboration recognizes an organization which has partnered with another entity to address a compelling problem that could not have been solved as effectively by any one organization on its own. Northeast Arc (NeArc) enables people with disabilities to lead full lives and be contributing members of their communities through education, employment, and social services. NeArc’s collaboration with the City of Peabody and other local organizations has both revitalized the City and developed opportunities for people with disabilities. In 2016, Northeast Arc opened Breaking Grounds Cafe, which has raised the organization’s profile and provided employment to people with disabilities.

The City also approached NeArc about contributing space for a local theater. The Black Box Theater at ArcWorks Community Art Center opens this spring, and will house NeArc’s drama-based social skills program, Spotlight, as well as provide a venue for community events. The collaboration has achieved the City's goals for revitalization and place making in the downtown district while promoting inclusion and opportunities for creative expression and employment for people with disabilities.

"We are proud to be recognized for shifting the paradigm from asking community partners what they can do for nonprofit organizations to asking how we can meet our shared goals together through collaboration," said Northeast Arc CEO Jo Ann Simons, "We are not just 'in' the community; we are 'of' the community."

This year, MNN’s independent panel of nonprofit and business leaders reviewed over 150 Excellence Award nominations that highlighted the incredible work of nonprofits across the state. The finalists range from large education providers to small arts organizations. These 27 nonprofits and individuals are improving communities across the Commonwealth, representing every region of Massachusetts from the Berkshires to the Cape. One finalist from each category (Advocacy, Collaboration, Innovation, Leadership, Small Nonprofit, and Young Professionals) will be announced as a winner during the Nonprofit Awareness Day: A Celebration of Nonprofit Excellence event presented by Citizens Bank on Monday, June 4.

Nonprofits across the state will also be engaging in a social media campaign on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram leading up to June 4 using hashtag #MAkingadifference to highlight their unique contributions to their communities.

Images courtesy of Massachusetts Nonprofit Network: (From left) Peabody City Councilor and Friends of Black Box Theater Committee Tom Gould, Northeast Arc CEO Jo Ann Simons, Peabody Mayor Edward A. Bettencourt, Jr.