Lifeworks Completes Merger and Enters New Era of Advocacy, Empowerment and Opportunity for People with Disabilities
WESTWOOD, Mass. (Oct. 2, 2020) – The Arc of South Norfolk and Lifeworks Inc., longtime affiliated nonprofit human services providers with shared missions of supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, today announced that they finalized their merger to become one agency, Lifeworks.
The merger, announced last summer and effective Oct. 1, comes after decades of shared history between both organizations. To mark the occasion, Lifeworks rolled out a new mission statement – “Advocacy. Empowerment. Opportunity.” – that defines the agency’s role as a leader in providing resources to, and a voice for, individuals and families living with disabilities.
“The past few months finalizing the details of the merger has been an incredible way to look ahead at the future of Lifeworks and how we plan on building new partnerships, providing enhanced person-centered supports and continuing our relentless advocacy for the individuals we serve,” said Daniel Burke, CEO of Lifeworks. “We are so excited to make things final and to share our vision for how this new agency will better serve the community and the families we have come to know and love.”
Lifeworks also announced the winner of its Jane Forsberg Advocacy Award. At a Sept. 10 virtual event, Walpole resident Tyler Forgeron was recognized for his work collecting redeemable cans and bottles to raise money for local charities. Tyler, who was diagnosed with autism when he was 2 years old, started his efforts after the movie theater he worked at closed because of COVID-19 restrictions. Each week, part of his fundraising is donated to Lifework’s Family Autism Center, where he has received services. Tyler has donated nearly $7,000, with over $2,000 given to the Family Autism Center. Other charities that have benefitted include a local animal shelter and food pantry and nonprofits fighting diseases like ALS and diabetes.
Tyler’s self-advocacy has led local businesses to express an interest in working with him in supporting individuals with autism and other disabilities. In October, Crisp Restaurant in Walpole will host a fundraiser to benefit the Family Autism Center in honor of Tyler and his work. As he accepted the Jane Forsberg Advocacy Award, Tyler said that giving to others makes him “feel great about himself.”
“We are inspired by people like Tyler who show us the power and love that individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities have for loved ones and strangers alike,” said Dennis Carroll, the Board Chair of Lifeworks. “The merger that has created Lifeworks will help programs like the Family Autism Center to reach more people and impact more lives.”
Lifeworks is building a new website (coming soon to www.lifeworksarc.org) that will serve as a central resource for families across Greater Boston. Designed by Arlington-based MetroCreate, the website brings together service and program information from the original websites for The Arc of South Norfolk and Lifeworks Inc., along with new features highlighting individuals and families served by Lifeworks along with its dedicated staff.
About Lifeworks
Since 1954, Lifeworks and its predecessors, Lifeworks Inc. and The Arc of South Norfolk, have served the towns of Norfolk County and beyond by providing support to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, through collaboration, advocacy and empowerment. The Westwood-based nonprofit organization serves more than 2,300 individuals from more than 14 communities in the Greater Boston, Norfolk County and Attleboro areas through a wide variety of services and programs, including employment services, and residential, education, and day habilitation programs.