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By Amy Saltzman / asaltzman@wickedlocal.com
Marblehead Reporter
Posted Oct 12, 2011 @ 10:21 PM

After flood, organization looking for a new spot to drop anchor

Last Tuesday’s violent rainstorm proved particularly troublesome for a local organization dedicated to providing independent living and social skills to adults with developmental disabilities.

Anchor to Windward, with its headquarters in the Salem section of Vinnin Square, was inundated with rainwater and sewage last week, destroying computers, furniture, and client files, among other things.

Now the organization, which used to be based in Marblehead, is looking for a new home.

“We were completely wiped out,” said Anchor to Windward Board of Directors President Judy Jacobi. “We’ve been in Marblehead before and we’re hoping to come back now to Marblehead. The reason we’re in Salem, it’s affordable and it’s on the bus line. But at least three-quarters of our members are Marbleheaders, and generally speaking it’s a Marblehead company.”

The difference between Anchor to Windward and other organizations like ARC is that its members are very high functioning, but because of this, they’re not always eligible for state funding. So the organization must raise money through donations or have its members pay a fee.

“It’s a double-edged sword: Our members function very well, but usually aren’t able to get state aid so we exist on private donations,” said Cara Freedman, Anchor to Windward’s administrative director. “[Anchor to Windward] is a wonderful, little program that serves an historically underserved population. … I had one client say to me a couple weeks ago, ‘ATW is my life. It’s been my life for 17 years.’”

“It’s such a small organization, but we’re a big part of the life of everyone of our clients,” added Jacobi. “For some of our clients, we are their social life”

The organization was formed 22 years ago, with some of its members participating for that long. Two members have been going to ATW for 19 years, according to program director, Pam Foye. The members, of which there are about 35, range in age from 19 to 62 years.

Yet for such a beloved organization, not many people know about it. In fact, Freedman, who is from the North Shore, had never heard of ATW before being hired this past July to improve social club and independent living programming.

Having only two part-time employees on staff, hiring others on a as-needed basis, the organization does a lot with a little. In addition to being available and responsible 24/7 for its members, the organization transports members, helps them with their laundry, banking and grocery shopping, and hosts social events several nights a week including a men’s group, craft group and movie night. Every Saturday they take a field trip, with last week’s to the Topsfield Fair.

For those who can’t afford to participate, the employees help raise money for a scholarship.

The organization is so impressive, in fact, that the Marblehead Chamber of Commerce just two weeks ago named it the recipient of the annual award for Non-Profit of the Year.

But now they need the community’s help — to replace the office and other furniture, games and recreational equipment and other items lost as the floodwaters rose.

“We basically have to start from scratch, which is absolutely devastating, but I’m happy that our board is willing to move forward and start from the ground up again,” said Freedman.

The flooding was so bad that the landlord let the organization out on its lease early, according to Freedman.

In the meantime, Anchor to Windward is temporarily working out of the Marblehead Counseling Center, thanks in part to ATW’s former president, Paul Crosby.

“The building is just a building,” said Pam Foye. “Nobody got hurt and our members are really what make up Anchor. We’re just thankful that it was only a flood.”

A fundraiser will be held at the Landing Restaurant in March. Further details will be released at a later time.

Donations may be sent to Anchor to Windward, PO Box 813, Marblehead, MA.

For information, call Judy Jacobi at 781-631-2063.