Patrick Shaughnessy-Best Buddies Hyannis Port Challenge
PLAN is so proud to be a partner and support the incredible work being done on behalf of individuals with ID & IDD and we’re committed to the mission of inclusion for individuals with different abilities. Thank you to Patrick Shaughnessy for sharing more about the Hyannis Port Challenge that raises awareness and resources to help fund the many other initiatives that support individuals with disabilities and their families at all stages of their journey.
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March 18, 202621 min
John Cronin and Mark Cronin Co-Founder’s of John’s Crazy Socks
Not liking the choices he faced, John turned to his father and said, “I want to go into business with you.” John had worked with Mark before and he thought the best way to find a job he would love was to create one. To Mark, this seemed like a great plan.
The two would-be partners needed to come up with an idea for their business. John’s first suggestion? A fun store. “I wanted something fun and creative.” Though neither of them could figure out what a fun store would actually sell.
Next, John suggested a food truck. He had seen the movie Chef starring Jon Favreau, about a father-son food truck business. The two started cooking up plans on what they could serve when they ran into a problem. John explained, “We can’t cook.”
With his food truck initiative gone, John hit his Eureka moment. “Let’s sell socks.” John suggested they sell crazy socks. He even had the name for the business and some drawings of the website. Asked why socks, John says, “I wore crazy socks my entire life. They are fun, colorful and creative. They let me be me.”
Mark adds, “John had worn crazy socks his entire life, that was his thing. We would drive around looking for them. It seemed as if John loved fun socks so much, others would too.”
John and Mark set out to build their business. They built a website in Shopify, an e-commerce platform. They convinced some suppliers to sell them some inventory. They opened bank accounts and filed with the State of New York. The only marketing they did was to set up a Facebook page and shoot some low-fi videos with John talking about his socks. That’s when John came up with his catchphrase: “socks, socks and more socks.” And they committed to donating 5 percent of earnings to the Special Olympics.
The partners intended to open their business at 10 a.m. but their website crashed that morning, so they opened at 3 p.m. They waited to see what would happen.
Fortunately, they did not need to wait long. Orders began streaming in. Almost all of them were local people that knew the pair in Huntington. And the customers came because they loved John’s videos.
John wanted to make the first packages special, so they decided to make home local deliveries. They put the sock in red boxes, added some candy and a thank you note from John. Then they loaded up the car with the boxes and drove around so John could knock on doors.
And our customers loved it. They took pictures with John and pictures of the socks and shared them on social media. Word began to spread and more orders came in. By the end of that first month, John’s Crazy Socks had shipped 452 orders and earned more than $13,000 in revenue.
John and Mark wanted to test the idea of selling socks online and the response was very positive. Mark says, “We learned three things:
People want to buy socks. People want to buy socks from John. This young man and this old man can sell socks”
“We want to show the world what is possible. We want to show the world what people with differing abilities can do when given a chance. We know that people with differing abilities are ready, willing and able to work. We make this happen in ways large and small.” John Cronin
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December 18, 202512 min
Kara Falcone, State Director, Best Buddies MA & RI Featuring Eleanor Jones From PLAN of MA & RI
PLAN of MA & RI is proud to partner with Best Buddies in Massachusetts & Rhode Island. Our work together promotes inclusion and offers support for all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
PLAN of MA & RI is thrilled to celebrate Eleanor Jones who joined our team, from the Best Buddies Jobs Program, nearly three years ago! The Best Buddies Jobs Program helps people with intellectual and developmental disabilities secure jobs which allow them to earn an income and independently support themselves.
We worked with our partners at Best Buddies in Massachusetts and Rhode Island to match job qualifications with the interests of job applicants. We are thrilled that Eleanor chose PLAN of MA & RI as her new employer!
“Working at PLAN has made me more confident.” “This job has meant a lot to me.” Eleanor Jones.
“Eleanor comes with a positive attitude and she is professional. She wants to learn!” Joan McGrath, Chief Executive Officer, PLAN of MA & RI.
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November 21, 202512 min
Elizabeth Sandblom Chief Executive Officer of The Arc of the South Shore
Elizabeth (Liz) Sandblom is the Chief Executive Officer of The Arc of the South Shore. With a career spanning more than three decades, Elizabeth brings extensive experience and passion to […]
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September 18, 202514 min
Margaret Hogan, Chief Executive Officer at Boston Senior Home Care
Margaret (Meg) Hogan currently serves as Chief Executive Officer at Boston Senior Home Care. Before joining the agency in 2017, Meg was Vice President of External Relations for Home Health Foundation, which included Home Health VNA, Merrimack Valley Hospice, and Home Care, Inc., one of the largest home care agencies in Massachusetts. In that role, Meg oversaw the development and implementation of strategic, agency-wide programs and initiatives that advanced and promoted patient care services.
Before joining Home Health Foundation, Meg served as Chief Operations Officer for the National Patient Safety Foundation, Executive Director for the New England Healthcare Assembly, and Director of Education and Marketing for the Massachusetts Hospital Association.
Meg has served on the MA Health Policy Commission Advisory Council and as Board President and Board Treasurer for Massachusetts Women’s Political Caucus.
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August 26, 202514 min
James Day Keith-Advocate for Inclusion
James Day Keith is a multi-sport Special Olympics athlete, actor, and passionate advocate for inclusion who starred in the movie Champions. He promotes friendship, acceptance, and belonging for people of all abilities, shares his story with schools and organizations, and serves as an ambassador for Special Olympics Massachusetts and Best Buddies. He is recognized for his leadership, fitness, and dedication to inspiring others to reach their full potential. He also works as a swim instructor, teaching confidence and a love for fitness to the next generation.
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July 17, 202520 min
Bob Scannell, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester (with Mary Kinsella Scannell and Erin Ferrara)
Bob Scannell has been the leader of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Dorchester (BGCD) for the past 38 years. BGCD serves over 4,000 youth each year and have over 202 programs and activities. Their mission is to always welcome and connect young people and families to opportunities that embrace diversity, nurture growth, and inspire success.
As part of the Boston Inclusion Network for Disabilities (BIND), the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester believes that inclusion is more than placement, it’s being part of what everyone else is doing, being welcomed and embraced as a person – and a Club member – who belongs. On any given day, you will find children of all abilities participating in various activities at BGCD; whether it is learning to shoot a basketball, getting homework help or participating in early education. BGCD encourages parents of children with unique needs to set up a meeting and tour with their Inclusion Coordinator to discuss program opportunities for their child.
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March 20, 202515 min
Maura Sullivan Chief Executive Officer of The Arc of Massachusetts
Maura Sullivan, MPA is the new Chief Executive Officer of The Arc of Massachusetts. In a historic moment, Maura becomes the first parent of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to lead The Arc since its first Director, Pearl Birnbaum Hurwitz, in 1954.
Maura Sullivan has been a dynamic force within The Arc of Massachusetts for over a decade, leading Government Affairs and serving as the Director of Operation House Call, the nationally recognized training program that equips students in medical, nursing, and allied health professions across Massachusetts with the skills and understanding needed to care for individuals with IDD and autism.
Maura is a well-respected advocate, whose work has led to significant legislative achievements, including the passage of Nicky’s Law, Police Training in Autism, and the continued success of Operation House Call. At the State House, Maura has been instrumental in securing increased funding for the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) budget, the direct support workforce, and MassHealth.
Beyond her legislative successes, Maura actively contributes to numerous state and national advisory boards and commissions focused on transition age youth with IDD and autism. She collaborates with prestigious institutions such as Drexel University, the Institute for Exceptional Care, and Harvard Medical School. Her involvement extends to the Massachusetts Governor’s Autism Commission for Healthcare and the Massachusetts Initiative to Improve Healthcare Transitions. In addition, Maura directs the policy and advocacy of Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts.
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February 20, 20257 min
Jonathan Gardner Self-Advocate & Motivational Speaker
Jonathan Gardner is a dedicated advocate for disability rights at both the state and national levels. A homeschool graduate, cancer survivor, and individual who happens to have Autism, Jonathan serves as an Official Ambassador for Operation House Call through the Arc of Massachusetts, a Flutie Fellow for the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism, Co-Chair of the Massachusetts Supported Decision-Making Coalition, a board member of Massachusetts Advocates for Children, and a Council Member of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
Jonathan shares his personal journey, including overcoming early challenges, his autism diagnosis, educational struggles, and his battle with cancer. He explains supported decision-making as an alternative to guardianship and emphasizes its importance for individuals with disabilities in maintaining autonomy. His advocacy work includes passing the Massachusetts Restraints and Seclusion Law, advocating for such bills as Operation House Call, Hospital Training, Health Care Discrimination, Police Training and more. He has also spoken on Capitol Hill about the Autism Care Act and the Education Bill.
Drawing on his experiences with early intervention services, specialized clinics, and homeschooling, Jonathan highlights the significance of personalized education and healthcare. His story of resilience offers valuable insights into effective advocacy, engaging with legislative bodies, and the power of personal stories in creating change. Jonathan encourages building supportive networks and engaging in community efforts to improve educational, healthcare, and legal supports for individuals with disabilities.
Jonathan believes, “As Human Beings, our differences enrich each other. Our voices together can be powerful and significant. We should all strive to create a world where everyone’s voice is heard, and every life is valued.”
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October 23, 202414 min
Dr. Moses Dixon President & CEO of Senior Connection
Dr. Moses S. Dixon, PhD, is a leading practitioner in Global Health and Social Medicine with a comprehensive background in the non-profit and governmental sectors locally and nationally. He has served as the President & CEO of Senior Connection, formerly the Central Massachusetts Agency on Aging, Inc. (CMAA), since 2019. Dr. Dixon earned a doctorate in Community and Public Affairs from The State University of New York at Binghamton, a Master of Medical Sciences in Global Health Delivery from the Harvard Medical School in Boston, MA, a Master’s in Community Development and Planning from Clark University in Worcester, MA, and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Howard University in Washington, DC.
Dr. Dixon’s expertise in global health delivery, particularly in culturally appropriate care for black and brown older adults and caregivers, has been recognized by the Harvard Medical School. He focuses on grandparents raising their grandchildren, known as ‘Grandfamilies’. Prior to this, he served as a legislative fellow staffer to former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (Nevada) and a legislative aide on Beacon Hill to Massachusetts State Representative Mary S. Keefe from the 15th Worcester District.
Massachusetts Governor Maura T. Healey appointed him to serve on the Governor’s Council on Black Empowerment for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to advise Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll on issues related to the economic prosperity and well-being of Massachusetts’ Black community, including education, health care, housing, and workforce development. Governor Healey appointed him to serve on the Public Education Nominating Council. In this role, Dr. Dixon advises the governor concerning appointments to the Board of Education, the Board of Higher Education, and all board trustees of community colleges, state colleges, and the University of Massachusetts.
In January 2024, Dr. Moses S. Dixon was named one of 60 Scholars who formed the ninth Presidential Leadership Scholars (PLS) class. The PLS initiative has brought together a diverse network of leaders, encouraging them to collaborate and create meaningful change in the United States and around the world while learning about leadership through the experiences of the presidential administrations of George W. Bush, William J. Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Lyndon B. Johnson.
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