The Arc of South Norfolk Recognizes Community Partners, Advocates and Students with Awards and Scholarships at 2019 Annual Meeting
WESTWOOD, Mass. (May 31, 2019) – The Arc of South Norfolk, a nonprofit human services provider committed to supporting people with developmental disabilities, announced its annual awards and scholarships during its recent Annual Meeting.
Community Partner Awards are given to individuals and organizations in the community that have demonstrated a commitment to improve the lives of the children, adults or families with disabilities by donating their time and valuable resources. This year’s recipients are:
- Norwood Elks Lodge #1124 – The Norwood Elks have been a valuable partner for several years, donating bocce court activities and a cookout, a $7,000 grant for a private family movie night at Patriot Place, and generous amounts of time volunteering on and off campus.
- Jody Nash – Nash, a resident of Hingham,has been an advocate for children with special needs both in a volunteer capacity and as a parent of a child with special needs. Trained by the Federation of Children with Special Needs, Nash has empowered parents to become more confident advocates for their own children.
- Dean Strack – Strack, a native of Westwood, is a retired management consultant and Massachusetts tax aide specialist who has volunteered many hours on evenings and weekends to assist adults with disabilities file their taxes.
This year, TheArc of South Norfolk established an award in memory of the late Jane Forsberg. The Jane Forsberg Advocacy Award recognizes individuals who seek to uphold the organization’s mission and guiding principles serving and safeguarding individuals with intellectual and development disabilities, including autism. The recipients are:
- Jeff Kerr – The native of Walpole is a recently retired attorney who has volunteered for more than two decades on The Arc of South Norfolk’s Human Rights Committee. Kerr recently continued his commitment to serve as chairman of committee.
- Barbara Mordini – Mordini, a retired nurse who lives in Walpole, served as a member of the Human Rights Committee for more than 20 years. The Mordini family has a long history of supporting the organization.
The Arc of South Norfolkoffers five scholarships each spring to college students who are studying special education or a closely related field. This year’s recipients are:
- Rebecca Pond – The Natalie Thomas Woodward Schmatzler Walsh Scholarship. Pond attended Norfolk County Agricultural High School and is now a student at Bridgewater State University majoring in motor development therapy and adapted physical education.
- Rachel Duggan – The Carole Keegan Scholarship. Duggan attended Sharon High School, UMass Amherst and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in public health at Newcastle University.
- Amanda Coulombe – The Ruth Doorly Scholarship. Coulombe attended Medfield High School and is currently a student at UMass Amherst pursuing a master’s degree in occupational therapy.
- Nicole Deady – The Mary Walsh Scholarship. Deady attended Medfield High School and will be a junior in the fall at Bridgewater State University majoring in elementary education and special education.
- Yefrey Sanchez – The Mary Barry Scholarship. Sanchez attended Chelsea High School and recently earned his associate’s degree at Bunker Hill Community College and has transferred to Leslie University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in psychology.
About the Arc of South Norfolk
Since 1954, The Arc of South Norfolk has served the towns of Norfolk County and beyond by providing supports to people with developmental disabilities, including autism, through collaboration, advocacy and empowerment. The nonprofit organization serves more than 2,200 individuals throughout Boston, Canton, Dedham, Foxborough, Medfield, Millis, Norfolk, Norwood, Plainville, Sharon, Walpole, Westwood, Wrentham and surrounding towns.