Pathways to Opportunities
Pathways to Opportunities is a collaborative educational initiative between Northeast Arc and both Lawrence High School and Lynn Classical High School
The program provides students in grades 10-12 the opportunity to create connectedness through a mentorship program that also provides life-skill building, education support, and paid participation and internships. The multi-year program serves as a connection for students, empowering them to discover personal growth through collaborative experiences. One goal of this program is to develop a pipeline of diverse, well-prepared, and caring staff for human service agencies, including Northeast Arc. Students, upon graduation, would be given priority application status to open positions at Northeast Arc and will be supported, if they choose, to take full advantage of tuition reimbursement and tuition remission programs available to Northeast Arc employees.
The program is free of charge for participants and will provide them with financial incentives including stipends and paid internship opportunities.
Pathways to Opportunities is made possible by funders who see the value in programs designed to expand the future human services workforce. In all, a dozen different foundations, organizations, and individuals have contributed to Pathways representing a broad commitment to the program.
To learn more or to inquire about enrollment, please email Maria Terris, Pathways to Opportunities Program Director.
Front row left to right: Karla Canas-Deras, Pathways Coordinator; Maria Terris, Program Director; Lexi and Emmi, recent grads; and Niriely Pena, Pathways Coordinator. Back row: Franklin, recent grad; and rising seniors Douglas, Isaiah and JZiel.
Pathways to Opportunities Curriculum and Student Goals
Goals for Students:
- Develop meaningful relationships
- Discover interests and skills
- Develop enhanced life skills
- To be able to recognize they have value, and they offer value to others
- Create connections for post-graduation
Cohort Topics May Include:
- Time management, planning, and project management development through hosting activities with Best Buddies.
- Mentoring, teaching, leadership, and teamwork skills through participation in unified sports with Special Olympics
- Financial literacy
- Team-building activities focused on problem-solving, following instructions, and reliance on others
- Career path planning with live discussions with professionals who have gone to work directly after high school and built their careers through experience and pursuing post-secondary education when they were ready
- Communication skills for use in social settings, in job interviews, and on social media
- Discussion on diversity, equity, and inclusion including knowing employment laws
- Health care advocacy – how to talk with a practitioner
- CPR, First Aid, and other skill-based trainings that are available to community members
- Training on disability and autism
Pathways Funders
Programs like Pathways are made possible by funders who see the value in programs designed to expand the future human services workforce. In all, nearly a dozen different foundations, organizations, and individuals have contributed to Pathways representing a broad commitment to the program
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Peter & Elizabeth Tower Foundation
Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services North Shore Office
Rockland Trust Charitable Foundation
Steven Rosenthal, Businessman and Philanthropist
Ted English, CEO, Bob’s Discount Furniture
Thomas Demakes, CEO, Old Neighborhood Foods
Trustees of the John & Naomi Tomfohrde Foundation
Van Otterloo Family Foundation
“Northeast Arc’s Pathways to Opportunities program combines career training, skills development, and hands-on experience to prepare students for success in human services and beyond. The Rockland Trust Charitable Foundation is proud to support a program that shapes future leaders, strengthens workforce development, and builds more inclusive communities.”
Andrea Borowiecki, Executive Director, Rockland Trust Charitable Foundation
Quick Links
About Us
Services
Arc Tank
Get Involved
Contact Us
Donate
Privacy
Upcoming events
January
27
Support Group for Parents of Children/Adults with Autism and Mental Health Conditions
View Upcoming EventLatest News
