Dear Assabet Valley Collaborative
Community Members,
Thank you for your interest in the important and exciting work at AVC! As many of you know, our mission is to meet current and evolving needs of member communities to promote student success and community integration of our diverse students and families. This is hard work and requires vision, tenacity, conviction, expertise and study – all elements that have become a hallmark of what it means to be a part of the AVC community. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.” I can assure you, the staff and community partners of AVC undertake activities that uplift humanity with painstaking excellence together every day.
Since the founding of AVC in 1976, advances in medicine, brain science, technology, social justice and civil rights have all had a tremendous impact on the work we do with our students and families. These advancements have increased access to the community for students who were once marginalized or excluded, have
provided ways for students who were previously without a voice to express themselves and communicate, have increased the life span and quality of life for students with complex health needs, have improved our understanding and treatment of mental health and trauma related challenges, have improved our knowledge about student learning and innovative methods for delivering instruction, and have provided access to work opportunities that would have been unimaginable decades ago.
Since 1976, AVC has been continuously adapting to changes in our society and the needs of our communities and has evolved into a thriving multi-purpose education service agency. It is inspiring to imagine how our talented and passionate staff at AVC will contribute to the next stage of advancements in many and various fields. Our work is strengthened by the commitment of our member districts to collaborate with each other and with experts in technology, medicine, education, leadership, social work, and rehabilitation therapies.
The AVC community includes employees of specialized programs as well as each member community’s stakeholders and collaborators -- such as district leaders and educators, parents, students, worksites, and health and social service providers. We rely on YOU, our active and engaged network of diverse, interdependent partners to inspire, focus, and support each other. Every day our work at AVC exemplifies a simple yet profound quote from Helen Keller: “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”
With gratitude,
Cathy Cummins
Executive Director