SAUGUS — Northeast Arc is coming to Square One Mall.
The not-for-profit organization helps adults and children with, or at risk for developing, disabilities become full participants in the community. It is set to open a new location, which will support individuals in the organization’s Steps to Independence and Supported Employment programs, at the mall on May 8.
“Steps to Independence supports participants as they build work and life skills with the goal of becoming fully inclusive members of their communities,” said Teri Williams, program director for Northeast Arc, in a statement. “This new location in Saugus is more accessible for many of our participants, and the variety of stores offers many opportunities for employment and skill-building activities.”
The location at Square One will also support individuals with disabilities or autism who are trying to find jobs.
“Supported Employment staff will be using this new space at the Square One Mall to provide career planning, job development, and job coaching services,” said Lisa Leo, director of community engagement for Northeast Arc, in the statement. “This new location will make it easier to support individuals from a wider range of cities and towns across the North Shore.”
Setting up a location at Square One mirrors work the organization has already done in establishing the Center for Linking Lives at the Liberty Tree Mall in Danvers.
The center, which opened in late 2020, plays host to a wide range of the organization’s community-facing programs, and features a store selling products made by individuals with disabilities or autism.
“We’re thrilled to once again be able to revitalize unused retail space and to create another inclusive, community-based location where we can deliver services,” said Tim Brown, Northeast Arc’s chief innovation and strategy officer, in the statement. “I want to thank our partners at Simon Property Group for being supportive of innovative ways to repurpose mall real estate to provide additional services to their communities.”
The organization is now hiring for a variety of positions at the new Saugus location and across the agency. Potential applicants will be able to meet with hiring managers at two career fairs in town — on Friday, April 7, and Wednesday, April 19.
Both fairs will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and there is no need to register or apply ahead of time. The fair will take place at Northeast Arc’s location, which is right inside the double doors next to the mall parking structure near Macy’s.
