DANVERS — Northeast Arc will honor Rick Lord of Peabody, retired president and CEO, Associated Industries of Massachusetts and co-chair of Northeast Arc’s Advisory Board, and Joan McGrath of Scituate, CEO, Planned Lifetime Assistance Network (PLAN) of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Inc., at its signature fundraising event, An Evening of Changing Lives, on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at Encore Boston Harbor.
Northeast Arc is a not-for-profit organization that helps children and adults of all abilities become full participants in the community.
“The Changing Lives award recognizes both Rick and Joan’s dedication to Northeast Arc and their commitment in helping the organization create inclusive opportunities for people with disabilities,” Jo Ann Simons, President and CEO of Northeast Arc, said. “Since 2021, Joan and PLAN of Massachusetts and Rhode Island have awarded 2.7 million dollars to organizations across our region that help change the lives of people with disabilities and autism. In addition to serving as the co-chair of our advisory committee, Rick has been a longtime champion for people with disabilities to be included in the workforce.”
“I believe so strongly in the mission of Northeast Arc,” Lord said. “I was both surprised and thrilled when I was informed that I would be a recipient of this year’s Changing Lives Award. It is truly an honor.”
“At PLAN, we are fortunate enough to partner with more than fifteen disability organizations, and the support and resources that Northeast Arc delivers to those whom they support is setting the standard,” McGrath said. “I was truly humbled and honored to learn that I would be a recipient of the Changing Lives Award on behalf of PLAN. I feel blessed that my job gives me the opportunity to work with amazing organizations like the Northeast Arc and to help make a difference in the lives of individuals of all abilities.”
An Evening of Changing Lives features an inclusive fashion show where individuals supported by Northeast Arc are partnered with local celebrities and business executives to highlight their abilities. The event chairs are Dennis Leonard, chairman of Everett Bank, and Stephen Coulter, founder of Barefoot Tiki, LLC.
The presenting sponsors for An Evening of Changing Lives are Encore Boston Harbor and PLAN of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Sponsorship opportunities for Northeast Arc’s An Evening of Changing Lives event are available. For more information, please visit ne-arc.org/gala or contact Damon Kruppa at [email protected] or (978) 924-5144.
About The Northeast Arc
Northeast Arc (NeArc) changes lives for people with disabilities and autism — and children at risk of developing them — and their families. The agency, which opened the Center for Linking Lives at Liberty Tree Mall in Danvers in 2020, serves thousands of people in nearly 200 Massachusetts cities and towns each year. NeArc is the largest Arc in the state of Massachusetts and one of the largest in the country. Services include: Adult Family Care, the ArcWorks Community Art Center, Autism Services, Black Box Theater, Breaking Grounds Café, Continuous Care Nursing Services, Day Habilitation, Deaf Services, Early Intervention, Employment Services, Family Support, The Learning Center Childcare and Preschool, parcels retail store, Personal Care Assistance, Recreation, Residential, Shared Living and Transition, and Skilled Intermittent Home Health Care. Learn more at www.ne-arc.org.
