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Behavioral Concepts to hold Ice Cream Social on September 13th in Lawrence

LAWRENCE, MA… Behavioral Concepts (BCI), a provider of LEARN Behavioral, will hold a sensory-friendly Ice Cream Social Open House on Saturday, September 13, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at their new learning center at 360 Merrimack Street, Suite 132, Lawrence, MA 01843. 
 
This event is open to the public.
 
BCI is Lawrence’s premiere contemporary applied behavior analysis (ABA) provider of center-based autism services for children ages 2-6 years. The center, which officially opened its doors in June, provides parent education, diagnostics, Early Intervention, center-based ABA therapy, and in-home ABA therapy. 
 
The expansive Lawrence learning center includes an indoor gross motor area for physical and social development as well as a dedicated space for family treatment guidance and assessment. Flexible treatment hours are offered to accommodate busy family schedules and the center is conveniently located and easily accessible by public transportation.
 
Families will have an opportunity to tour the Lawrence facility and meet Meghan Van Nostrand, Ph.D., LABA, BCBA-D, Senior Regional Clinical Director and BCI’s team of Behavior Analysts.
 
The Ice Cream Social Open House will offer fall-themed family activities in a sensory-friendly, supportive environment.
 
For more information or to enroll a child at the Lawrence Learning Center, call 508-281-9411 or visit https://bciaba.com/locations/lawrence
 
About BCI
BCI, part of the LEARN Behavioral network, is one of the nation’s leading providers of compassionate autism care. For more than 20 years, BCI has been delivering evidence-based services, helping children with autism find success and reach their unique potential.
 
The Lawrence Learning Center is BCI’s fourteenth center-based ABA therapy location, with existing Learning Centers in Beverly, Brockton, Fitchburg, Framingham, Lowell, New Bedford, Newton, Springfield, Taunton, Wilmington, two locations in Worcester, MA, and a location in Nashua, NH.
 
About LEARN Behavioral
LEARN Behavioral is a national leader in autism treatment, offering comprehensive diagnostic services and contemporary applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). With a nationwide network of ABA providers and more than 100 Learning Centers across the country, LEARN delivers the highest standard of evidence-based care—customized to meet the unique needs and interests of each child and family. For more information, visit learnbehavioral.com.
 

Welcome Home to Host Fabric of Community Blanket & Towel Drive at The Street Chestnut Hill on October 4 sponsored by Mark’s Moving & Storage.

Welcome Home invites the community to help make a meaningful impact through the “Fabric of Community Blanket & Towel Drive” on Saturday, October 4, from 10am to 1pm at The Street Chestnut Hill, 33 Boylston Street, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467. The event is sponsored by Mark’s Moving & Storage.

As cooler weather approaches, guests are encouraged to donate new or gently used blankets and towels, two of the most requested items by individuals and families transitioning into new housing. Donations will be collected on-site in a moving truck generously provided by Mark’s Moving & Storage, with all items benefiting Welcome Home, a local organization dedicated to providing household essentials to those in need. Mark’s Moving & Storage, the initiator and champion of the event, are also providing a driver, support staff and storage, if needed for surplus items.

As a thank you, each donation will enter guests into a raffle for a chance to win various items from The Street’s exciting roster of businesses, including Winston Flowers, Showcase SuperLux, SWTHZ, Gorjana, Bond Vet, and M.M.LaFleur.  Guests can also enjoy complimentary cookies from The Half Cookie, treat vouchers from Polkadog Bakery, and more, while supplies last.

Julie Plaut Mahoney of Welcome Home noted, “This is a wonderful opportunity to directly assist families who need some help in outfitting their homes with blankets and towels as we come into the colder months. . Any and all donations are deeply appreciated.”

Mark Silverman of Mark’s Moving added, “We are delighted to provide the transportation for this event that will have a major impact on regional families.”

Jeffrey Rosenthal, General Manager of The Street Chestnut Hill says, “Community is at the heart of everything we do at The Street, and we’re always looking for meaningful ways to give back. We’re proud to host this special initiative and support Welcome Home’s mission of helping our neighbors create a safe, comfortable place to call home.”

For additional details about the Fabric of Community Blanket & Towel Drive event, contact Welcome Home, www.welcomehomemass.org or call (617) 454-4795.

About Welcome Home

Welcome Home strives to provide families experiencing hardship with basic household items they need to live with dignity. A local nonprofit organization in West Newton, Massachusetts, Welcome Home collects and redistributes like-new household items to hundreds of people in need each month with no fees, no forms and no requirements. Any items that cannot be used are repurposed or recycled appropriately, thus benefiting the environment.

For more information, visit http://www.welcomehomemass.org.

About Mark’s Moving & Storage

Mark’s Moving and Storage’s  non-profit division Mark’s Northeastern Furniture Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and was established to re-purpose discarded furniture and provide for charities and individuals in need. Since 2011, the foundation and its partners have distributed  thousands of pieces of re-purposed furniture. More than 1,000,000 pounds of furniture have been given to individuals and local charities, such as the United Way of Tri-County and Household Goods.  For more information, visit the firm’s website, www.marksmoving.com.

Mark’s Moving and Storage, 111 Milk St., Westborough, offers a wide range of moving and storage services, including commercial on demand warehouse storage local and long-distance residential and corporate moving, air freight, container shipping, record storage management, disposal, packing and unpacking services, portable storage containers, warehousing and fire and flood remediation.

About The Street Chestnut Hill

Located in the heart of Chestnut Hill, The Street has become a cornerstone in its community with delightful shops, eateries and entertainment. The Street enchants visitors with a collection of over 60 unrivaled brands, as well as lively art, music, fitness, and kid-friendly programming. The Street boasts the first Massachusetts locations for Roller Rabbit, Showcase SuperLux, Shake Shack, and Splendid, as well as locally and nationally loved restaurants and retailers such as CHANEL Fragrance and Beauty, Blue Bottle, Warby Parker, Simon Pearce, Pink Carrot, Reformation, Alo, Winston Flowers,  Polkadog Bakery, Bianca, Chilacates, lululemon, Nike Well Collective, Studs, Hummingbird Books, and Chef Dave’s. Also among The Street’s offerings are distinct office spaces, including WS Development’s corporate headquarters, New England OB-GYN’s newest facility, and Coldwell Banker Realty’s state-of-the-art office. The Street’s transformation under owner WS Development earned a Gold Award for Renovations/Expansions of Mixed-use Projects from the International Council of Shopping Centers. The Street is located at 33 Boylston Street, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, directly along Route 9, between Hammond Pond Parkway and Hammond Street. For more information, please visit www.TheStreetChestnutHill.com to join our email list, download the new The Street Insider app to unlock exclusive rewards and perks from various businesses, or follow @thestreetchestnuthill on Instagram and @shopthestreet on Facebook.

Seniors at Stoughton Adult Day Health Complete Digital Literacy Course with OCES Traveling Computer Lab

From Left to right: Euclides Semedo (Instructor); Martha Monteiro; Maria D. Goncalves; Maria M. Goncalves; Maria Teixeira; Maria Gomes; Paula Silva; Manuel Da Luz Veiga; Jose Cabral; Domingos Da Rosa; Armindo Rocha (OCES Program Manager)

STOUGHTON, MA… Nine older adults at Stoughton Adult Day Health recently celebrated completing a six-week basic computer skills course through the “Traveling Computer Lab – Digital Literacy for Older Adults” program. Offered by Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the program aims to bridge the digital divide and equip seniors with essential technology skills for greater confidence and independence.
 
The digital literacy course, tailored specifically for adults aged 60 and older, provides in-person, hands-on instruction with the goal of enhancing independence, social connectivity, and access to vital online resources. Over the span of six weeks, participants attended a total of eight engaging sessions held at their familiar community setting.
 
During the course, the group gained confidence using laptops. Core topics covered the basics of computer use, along with using Microsoft Windows to improve typing skills and learning how to navigate the internet.
 
“The class was really helpful—most older adults were hesitant to use computers before, but they feel more comfortable now,” said Armindo Rocha, Volunteer Programs Manager at OCES.
 
The Traveling Computer Lab is a mobile program that rotates monthly to new sites across the region, bringing digital literacy training directly to older adults in Councils on Aging, senior centers, and housing communities. By providing all necessary equipment, including laptops, Wi-Fi, and printed materials. The program removes common barriers to access and ensures participants receive personalized, step-by-step guidance at their own pace.
 
Through this initiative, OCES is not only teaching older adults how to use technology, but also fostering greater confidence, social connection, and safety in the digital world.
 
For more information about the Traveling Computer Lab or other services offered by OCES, visit ocesma.org or call (508) 584-1561.
 
About OCES
OCES is recognized as one of the 2023 and 2024 Best Places to Work by Cape & Plymouth BusinessMarketing. OCES has been certified as a woman non-profit organization (W/NPO) by the Supplier Diversity Office (SDO). For more than 50 years, OCES has been a private, nonprofit organization with locations in Brockton and Plymouth. OCES is designated as one of 27 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) and Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and proudly serves Plymouth County and surrounding communities. 
 
Through the talent of an experienced and diverse workforce, OCES supports the independence and dignity of older adults and individuals with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy, safe living which positively impacts our community. The agency offers several programs to serve older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families, and caregivers. For more information call 508-584-1561 or visit ocesma.org.

Getting authentic answers from Artificial Intelligence. Seminar at Plymouth Area Chamber of Commerce reveals AI Query Engineering for business users.

Business users know that they could be doing so much more with AI.  They just don’t know how to ask the right questions to maximize the new tool.

The upcoming seminar on AI Query Engineering is setThursday,September 25, 9-10:30 a.m. and will be held at the Plymouth Area Chamber of Commerce, located in the Plymouth Industrial Park at 100 Armstrong Road, Suite 204, Plymouth MA 02360.

The seminar will be led by Steve Dubin, PR Works, Public Relations / Marketing and Helene Kelly, Clay Communications and Marketing, who use AI daily for a wide range of business tasks. Kelly has an advanced certification from MIT on AI.

Attendees will learn –

  • How to use context, tone, format and clarity.
  • Go deeper. Strategy, insights, trends.
  • Expanding answers to increase value.
  •  

Cost is $19 per person. RSVP to https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/8rhf3nz

Or contact Steve Dubin, SDubin@PRWorkZone.com, (781) 582-1061.

OCES Honors Dedicated Community Programs Director as she Retires

BROCKTON, PLYMOUTH, AND TAUNTON, MA… 

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the largest provider of in-home and community-based services for older adults and people living with disabilities in Southeastern Massachusetts, honored Brenda Carrens, Community Programs Director, as she retired after 20 years at OCES.

Brenda Carrens
Brenda Carrens

Carrens has been instrumental in the growth and success of OCES. During her OCES career, Carrens worked with the Greater Plymouth County’s Retired Seniors Volunteer Program (RSVP), Family Caregiver Support, Healthy Living, Money Management, Development, and Volunteer programs. Most recently, Carrens was the Community Programs Director overseeing Nutrition, Volunteer, Healthy Living, and Family Caregiver Support operations as well as the supervisors and managers of those programs.

Dedicated to helping others and giving back, Carrens is a lifelong volunteer for schools and other charities. She is a Metro South Chamber of Commerce Ambassador, and a volunteer for OCES’ Money Management and Meals on Wheels programs. Carrens previously served on the Cancer Care Community Advisory Board (CABbies) a volunteer fundraising group that supported cancer patients.

“Brenda has made a tremendous impact on many individuals and families through her tireless efforts, leadership and dedication to OCES and the community over the past 20 years,” said Nicole Long, CEO of OCES. “Congratulations Brenda! OCES will miss you and we wish you all the best in your retirement!”

Carrens has been a resident of Taunton, MA for 25 years.

About OCES
OCES is recognized as one of the 2023 and 2024 Best Places to Work by Cape & Plymouth Business Marketing. OCES has been certified as a woman non-profit organization (W/NPO) by the Supplier Diversity Office (SDO). For more than 51 years, OCES has been a private, nonprofit organization with locations in Brockton and Plymouth. OCES is designated as one of 27 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) and Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and proudly serves Plymouth County and surrounding communities. 

Through the talent of an experienced and diverse workforce, OCES supports the independence and dignity of older adults and individuals with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy, safe living which positively impacts our community. The agency offers several programs to serve older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families, and caregivers. For more information call 508-584-1561 or visit ocesma.org

Behavioral Concepts New Learning Center Now Open in Lawrence, MA

No Waitlist and Flexible Hours for Essex County Area Families

Left to right: Francisco Paulino, State Representative; Marina Acosta, District Director, State Senator Pavel Payano; Michael Bevilacqua, President and CEO of Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce; Ana Levy, Councilor at Large, City of Lawrence; Brian A. DePena, Mayor, City of Lawrence; Meghan Van Nostrand, Senior Regional Clinical Director, BCI; Allison Ratte, Managing Behavior Analyst, BCI; Laura Squiccimara, Center Director, BCI; Christine Richter, Center Director, BCI; Shayna Fantini, Managing Behavior Analyst, BCI.

LAWRENCE, MA… Behavioral Concepts (BCI), a provider of LEARN Behavioral, has recently opened the doors of their new Learning Center at 360 Merrimack Street, Suite 132, Lawrence, MA 01843. 

BCI is Lawrence’s premiere contemporary applied behavior analysis (ABA) provider of 
center-based autism services for children ages 2-6 years. The new Lawrence Learning Center provides parent education, diagnostics, Early Intervention, center-based ABA therapy, and in-home ABA therapy. 

A ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce was held on June 23, 2025. During the ceremony, Ana Levy, Councilor at Large, City of Lawrence, offered greetings and remarks. State Representative Francisco Paulino, Mayor Brian A. DePeña, Michael Bevilacqua, President/CEO of Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce, and District Director Marina Acosta from Senator Pavel Payano’s office attended, along with a number of city council members, school committee members, and Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce members.

Official citations were presented to the BCI leadership team by Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Michael Bevilacqua and Chairman Michael Sullivan, the Lawrence City Council representatives, and the City of Lawrence Mayor Brian A. DePena.

Ribbon-cutting attendees had an opportunity to tour the facility and meet BCI’s leadership team, Meghan Van Nostrand, Ph.D., LABA, BCBA-D, Senior Regional Clinical Director and Ashley Williams, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LABA, Vice President.

“We are excited to open our doors and bring compassionate, contemporary ABA therapy for children with autism spectrum disorder to families in Essex County and beyond,” said Meghan Van Nostrand, Senior Regional Clinical Director at BCI. “We value being a part of the Lawrence community and look forward to collaborating with fellow organizations and professionals to help find success for every child in our care.” 

The new Lawrence Learning Center provides center-based contemporary ABA therapy, as well as family treatment guidance and assessment in the city of Lawrence. There are very few ABA centers in Lawrence. The Learning Center serves children 2- 6 years old with personalized therapy plans.

With no waitlist and flexible treatment hours to accommodate busy family schedules, the center is now enrolling new clients in the Essex County area and beyond.

About BCI
BCI, part of the LEARN Behavioral network, is one of the nation’s leading providers of compassionate autism care. For more than 20 years, BCI has been delivering evidence-based services, helping children with autism find success and reach their unique potential.

The Lawrence Learning Center is BCI’s fourteenth center-based ABA therapy location, with existing Learning Centers in Beverly, Brockton, Fitchburg, Framingham, Lowell, New Bedford, Newton, Springfield, Taunton, Wilmington, two locations in Worcester, MA, and a location in Nashua, NH.

For more information or to enroll a child at the Lawrence Learning Center, call 508-281-9411 or visit https://bciaba.com/locations/lawrence

About LEARN Behavioral
LEARN Behavioral is a national leader in autism treatment, offering comprehensive diagnostic services and contemporary applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). With a nationwide network of ABA providers and more than 100 Learning Centers across the country, LEARN delivers the highest standard of evidence-based care—customized to meet the unique needs and interests of each child and family. For more information, visit learnbehavioral.com.