ANDOVER — Melmark, a national leader in the human services field, recently broke ground on the development of an adult planned community on a three-acre site in Tewksbury.
With an expected cost of over $15 million and an estimated timeline of a year to complete, the pilot project will focus on providing evidence-based and instructional adult services for individuals with autism, intellectual, and developmental disabilities.
State Sen. Barry Finegold attended the groundbreaking ceremony and presented Melmark President and CEO Rita M. Gardner with a State Senate Citation for Melmark’s commitment to providing necessary and innovative adult services for the ID/A community in Massachusetts.
“We are creating an innovative new adult services model, centered around full community integration and resource-sharing, which will allow individuals to age in place through their lifespan with access to public transportation, banking opportunities, retail and leisure, etc. with supportive resources to ensure continued best outcomes,” stated Melmark President and CEO Rita M. Gardner.
“This model will also offer staffing efficiencies in light of the national human services workforce crisis post COVID-19 and will provide comprehensive public policy guidelines which can be replicated by other human service providers nationally.”
Melmark is partnering with Caveney Architectural Collaborative and Vantage Builders to design and build the facilities, including four residences housing a total of 20 adults, an instructional and vocational day program for 50-plus individuals, a vocational coffee shop social enterprise, daily living activities, supports, community engagement, recreational opportunities, and affordable staff housing.
Construction of the adult planned community will rely on philanthropic support, with donations from families, corporate partners, foundations, event proceeds, and other major donations. For information, visit https://www.melmark.org/donate-mne/.