What an incredible few months it’s been! As I sat down to pen my first “Message from the CEO” as the CEO of LifeLinks CLASS, I found myself simultaneously reflecting and looking forward. Reflecting on the journey that led us to merge two agencies with more than 100 years of combined history. But also looking forward to the development of our first strategic plan as LifeLinks CLASS, and advancing our mission of enabling the people we serve across the Greater Lowell and Merrimack Valley regions to live fuller and more prosperous lives.
To get to this point, the combined leadership teams at LifeLinks and CLASS had to agree on a shared vision of creating a “one-stop-shop” agency model, providing individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities, and their families a more robust portfolio of services. But every day I’m reminded by a quote from Good to Great author Jim Collins:
“Great vision without great people is irrelevant.”
At the end of the day, that’s what this merger is about…great people. And it’s not just the incredibly talented and dedicated staff at LifeLinks CLASS, it’s the inspirational individuals we serve. It’s the passionate families we work with. It’s the generous employers we partner with. It’s the inclusive communities in which we live and work. It’s the enthusiastic interns we empower. The success of the merger is rooted in the diversity and passion of two organizations who are motivated by improving the lives of others.
I’ve been so inspired by everyone at this combined agency, that I knew one of my first priorities as CEO was to share with all of you some of the stories of the great people I am so fortunate to be around on a daily basis. And to invite you to engage with us on a more personal level in the important work we do.
Over the course of our first year, you’ll start to see more visible aspects of the combined agency in all of our communications vehicles, including the web, social media, and new newsletters like NewsLinks. We’ll be actively looking at ways to better serve all of you, as we complement our service portfolio and welcome new staff.
But know that LifeLinks CLASS will continue to offer all of the high-quality services and supports that advance our mission and are rooted in our combined and distinguished histories.
Individuals in the LifeLinks CLASS TREE (Treatment. Responsibility. Empowerment. Employment.) program have had the opportunity to refine their woodworking skills over the past few years with the help of Shaun Cohan, a shop teacher in the carpentry department at Greater Lawrence Technical School. The TREE program at our Lawrence location uses a unique therapeutic work model for individuals with complex life experiences, psychiatric diagnoses and behavioral challenges, supported by an intense staffing ratio of one to four. Some of their projects have included a maintenance supply shed, birdhouses and planters for past event auctions, cutting boards, and most recently, Adirondack chairs! Nancy Price, the facilities manager for our Lawrence location, hopes to have an efficient sales model in place for the carpentry program by next year — stay tuned!
Shaun Cohan, a GLTS shop teacher, gives Joseph direction during a recent project.
CHELMSFORD, MA – On a sunny summer afternoon, a crowd roared with approval and joyously sang along to a Neil Diamond classic. But they weren’t singing “Sweet Caroline” and celebrating home runs or double plays at Fenway Park. Nor were they cheering on the Spinners at LeLacheur Park.
No, the scene of the raucous rendition of “Coming to America” took place at Omni Way in Chelmsford at the annual LifeLinks Art & Talent Show on August 8.
Organized by the organization’s Urban Youth Interns, the talent show is always a high point on the summer calendar. Friends, family, donors, interns, and staff were treated to a day of singing and dancing, where the hard work of all the performers was on full display.
“If I could describe what was happening that afternoon, it’s an incredible sense of love,” says LifeLinks/CLASS CEO Jean Phelps. “The incredible levels of support and encouragement being expressed by all of the people in the audience are moving. It just felt really good to be in the room, and I want to thank you all for giving us that moment.”
As part of the festivities, members of the Day Habilitation Program proudly displayed their artwork around the facility for attendees to enjoy, in an explosion of color that turned the first floor into a full-fledged art gallery.
“Where else would you rather be today?” asks Day Habilitation Services Director Shawn Nault. “When we talk about a culture of inclusion, this is what we mean. The passion of the people we serve in their performance is matched by the passion of the summer interns who put on the show, and that’s how lifelong memories are made.”
We are celebrating more than just the 4th of July this week!
Monday, July 1 was our first day as a newly merged agency: LifeLinks dba/CLASS. Now that the technical, behind the scenes, work of bringing two organizations together is complete we are excited about the opportunities that are opening to us. We are eager to begin the work to blend our organizations, cultures, vision, and goals.
I am proud and humbled to provide leadership to this new organization, to work collectively to set the course of our work and to celebrate what I know will be our many successes. Alfred J. Frugoli will remain with us, transitioning into the role of Chief Operating Officer overseeing all our great programs. As of today, we serve or touch the lives of over 900 individuals and are now almost 30 million dollars in revenue and have over 500 staff; formidable numbers indeed.
The merger of CLASS and LifeLinks provides many opportunities – the first of which is to leverage our collective expertise to make sure we’re providing the best services possible in our existing programs. We believe that the next few years will be a sensational period for us as we come together to be an organization that can truly make sure everyone we serve in homes, day services and community supports experiences innovative, personalized and valued services that promote a full life, where there is an opportunity for personal growth and active, meaningful engagement in their community.
Rui, Charlie and Dennis, coached by Jen Morin of amplifi, right, entertained guests at Spring Forward with CLASS, an annual fundraiser for the human services agency that raised $85,000 this year. The slide show at right shows Jannel, an individual supported in CLASS’s TREE program, painting a birdhouse, which went up for auction that night.
More than 150 people came together at the Spring Forward with CLASS fundraising event in April to support the human services agency and the work they do for adults with disabilities and autism, helping to raise $85,000 – the biggest event contribution total in the human service agency’s 43-year history.
“We are grateful to all of our sponsors, guests and auction bidders, the supporters who make our work possible, for stepping up and making this fundraiser a success,” said Alfred J. Frugoli, president of CLASS. “Our donors have made it possible for individuals we support to experience community inclusion activities; to develop active, meaningful engagement in their communities; and, especially, to learn and practice self-advocacy.”
The singing performance of Rui, Charlie and Dennis hit the high note for the evening, drawing a standing ovation from guests. Music teachers Jen Morin and Alan Bailey of amplifi, a music program for adults with disabilities at Real School of Music in Andover, have worked with more than a dozen individuals from CLASS on their singing, composing and stage presence for more than three years. An exhibit of CLASS’s handloom weaving enterprise and a painting demonstration were additional living stories that informed and inspired guests – thanks to community collaborators Social Catalysts Charitable Foundation and Essex Art Center.
“Guests were touched, so they were very active in bidding in our auctions because they wanted to show their support,” said Tracey Chalifour, director of Development at CLASS. “In the live auction, to satisfy our bidders, we doubled and tripled some packages, such as the North Conway four-day weekend and the City Slicker weekend in Boston, which included a two-night stay at the XV Beacon Hotel in Boston with dinners at Prezza and Mastro’s Ocean Club.
“We have members on our Board of Directors who are very involved in this event and who made this fundraiser so successful, and we’re very grateful to them,” she added.
CLASS announces the launch of a sleek new website designed with easy and intuitive navigation for families, community partners, donors, employers, job seekers, government funders and the individuals we serve in mind: visually appealing and engaging pages with lots of information about the CLASS mission, our success stories, programs and services, plenty of news and FAQs, and an invitation to come for a tour.
“We spent more than a year developing just the right content with just the right look to interest everybody who wants and needs to know more about CLASS,” said Robin Ellington, director of Marketing. “We designed it to be inviting, so people will stay awhile and learn more. We’re reaching out to the wide variety of CLASS customers with the information they need to take that next step – enroll a loved one in a CLASS program, hire CLASS individuals for their company, apply for a job … all the signposts are here.”
In Lawrence since 1976 and with an additional program office in Wilmington, CLASS supports adults with autism and intellectual or developmental disabilities, their families and their caregivers. CLASS creates an inclusive environment by promoting people’s abilities, creating life-enhancing opportunities and developing community partnerships that contribute to life enrichment. The dedicated CLASS team of professionals supports families and caregivers by offering advocacy support as well as a range of services crucial to their loved ones’ success.
“We would welcome an opportunity to further acquaint you with our services, respond to your questions, and escort you on a tour,” said Alfred Frugoli, CLASS president and CEO. “We believe our organization is a valuable asset to the Greater Merrimack Valley, and our services and dedicated staff underscore our commitment to the communities we serve.”
What an incredible few months it’s been! As I sat down to pen my first “Message from the CEO” as the CEO of LifeLinks CLASS, I found myself simultaneously reflecting and looking forward. Reflecting on the journey that led us to merge two agencies with more than 100 years of combined history. But also looking forward to the development of our first strategic plan as LifeLinks CLASS, and advancing our mission of enabling the people we serve across the Greater Lowell and Merrimack Valley regions to live fuller and more prosperous lives.
CHELMSFORD, MA – On a sunny summer afternoon, a crowd roared with approval and joyously sang along to a Neil Diamond classic. But they weren’t singing “Sweet Caroline” and celebrating home runs or double plays at Fenway Park. Nor were they cheering on the Spinners at LeLacheur Park.
As part of the festivities, members of the Day Habilitation Program proudly displayed their artwork around the facility for attendees to enjoy, in an explosion of color that turned the first floor into a full-fledged art gallery.
