NORTH WEYMOUTH, Mass. – October 23, 2017 – In last week’s press conference, LStar Ventures, developers of Union Point, announced a pledge of $500,000 over the next decade to The Arc of the South Shore, a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to providing services and advocacy for children and adults with disabilities. The commitment came along with the real estate developer’s offer to provide Amazon a site at the Union Point development for half the price, with the stipulation that the company gives $200 million to local charities and schools.
The donation, which will be the organization’s largest to date, will primarily go towards expanding the new Autism Resource Center. The Arc believes they will be able to double the number of families they currently serve with the contribution.
“I was speechless when [Kyle Corkum, CEO of LStar Ventures] indicated his long-term support for The Arc,” said executive director Daryl Cook-Ivan. “With the donation, we will be able to provide additional family support groups, additional school vacation activities for youth, lease space for our new Autism Resource Center, provide life coaches for adults with mild autism, and purchase technologies so that individuals will be able to become more independent in the community.”
While many are calling Union Point a “smart city,” LStar is hoping it will be “smart with a heart.” On top of sustainability, technology and architecture, the developers are looking to foster education and creative arts, and to provide inclusivity within the community. As part of its bid to Amazon, LStar positioned the environment at Union Point to be welcoming to everyone including those with disabilities.
“We will make annual donations to help those good people at The Arc who are helping some of the most vulnerable people in our society,” said LStar CEO, Kyle Corkum. “Their budgets are under threat, the need is greater than it’s ever been, and we need to be there to support them now.”
The Arc of the South Shore has provided 66 years of service to the area, and has assisted more than 85,500 individuals and families with cognitive, physical, and other intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Autism Resource Center provides individuals and their families with guidance, support and expertise through many multi-faceted topics and issues of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
