Partnering with Businesses to Provide Inclusive Employment Opportunities

As businesses across Peabody and the North Shore look to hire employees in a tight job market, Northeast Arc’s Supported Employment program is helping to fill these hiring needs. Northeast Arc supports individuals with disabilities or autism, and the supported employment team will match people supported by the agency to open roles at employers.

People supported by Northeast Arc are employed at businesses in Peabody, including Starbucks, LifeTime Fitness, Big Y, Shaw’s, Omnicare (CVS Health), and Brooksby Village.

Job coaches match an individual to the role and responsibilities of the position, help them in getting to work, and assist in training. The job coach will provide as little or as much support as necessary, depending on the needs of the person and the complexities of the job. For Northeast Arc, it is important that the individuals learn in the way that works best for them, that they master their work skills and gain confidence, and that they maintain their position for the long-term. Employment supports are designed to ensure that all people are able to achieve personal employment goals. Each person’s day is individually defined to maximize his or her opportunities to learn.

Northeast Arc offers two hands-on individual employment training programs:

Project Perk at Breaking Grounds Cafe
Breaking Grounds Cafe is a coffee shop located in the heart of downtown Peabody that offers an extensive employment training and education through the Project Perk program to people with disabilities who want to work in the food service, hospitality, or customer service industry. Currently closed due to fire, Breaking Grounds is planning to open in early July 2023.



Project parcels
parcels is a unique boutique selling exclusively items made by people with disabilities or by companies owned by people with disabilities. Participants in the parcels training program learn every aspect of working in a retail store.
 
Visit the Northeast Arc website to learn more about how Supported Employment can help your business and reach out to Lauren Tobey at ltobey@ne-arc.org if you’re interested in partnering with Northeast Arc.