Flutie Foundation Awards Northeast Arc $10K For Autism Support

DANVERS, MA — A $10,000 award from the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism will help fund informational resources and support services for North Shore families with autistic children through the Arc's Family Resource Center.

The Family Resource Center serves Beverly, Danvers, Essex, Gloucester, Hamilton, Lynn, Manchester, Marblehead, Middleton, Nahant, Peabody, Rockport, Salem, Swampscott, Topsfield and Wenham.

The Northeast Arc said 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.

"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," said Aymee Lucifora, Family Resource Center Program Director. "We will have the opportunity to help people immediately when they need it."

Northeast Arc has received 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."

The Flutie Foundation's distributions 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.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)