Beyond the clinical care specialists, job coaches, skills trainers and other direct care professionals is a team of employees, led by Graham Daniels, responsible for keeping Northeast Arc’s residential, medical and commercial space safe, presentable and functional.
Daniels, who has served as Director of Facilities and Property Management for three years, grew up in Australia, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. He met his wife, Amanda, a Beverly native, while she was studying abroad, and he moved to the U.S. in 2009. Daniels came to Northeast Arc from Brightview Senior Living in Danvers, where he served as director of maintenance.
“Brightview had hired a few participants from Northeast Arc, so there was a good working relationship between the two organizations,” said Daniels. “When a position opened up at Arc, I went for it.”
Daniels says the Facilities and Property Management department oversees the upkeep of 31 properties—including 25 residential properties – and 85,000 feet of commercial space. In the last year, the team completed 2,047 work orders.
“Mostly they’re general repairs or related to compliance, safety, and preventative maintenance—making sure fire alarms and sprinklers are working, for example,” said Daniels.
“I enjoy fixing things, and I like being around the residents and staff,” said senior technician Tim Stevens, who was hired by Northeast Arc in 2005. A carpenter by trade, he retired from the Beverly Housing Authority, where he worked for 25 years. “It’s been a fun job.”
Employees are available 24/7 in the event of an emergency. Landscaping and snow removal also fall under the department’s purview, as does managing contractors working on new construction and renovation projects. The most recent project is the Steps to Independence program opening at the Square One Mall in Saugus. The community-focused day program is designed to support people with building the necessary work and life skills to become productive members of their local communities.