SMEC: 50 Years of Helping Disabled Students in Greater New Bedford

The Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative, or SMEC, has served developmental and physically disabled children and adults in our region with high quality programs and services for 50 years.

Remarkably, it has employed just two executive directors during that time: Bob Dunn and Catherine Cooper.

Cooper has been on the job for 19 years. She stopped by Townsquare Sunday to update the various programs offered by SMEC and talk about an upcoming gala celebrating its important milestone.

"We have a fantastic team at SMEC," Cooper said. "They get all the credit for making things go well for our students and adult clients. I'm very fortunate."

With headquarters in Dartmouth, SMEC has more than 200 employees and offers programs at a dozen locations throughout Greater New Bedford and Fall River.  SMEC's Board of Directors is made up of school committee members from the communities it serves.

SMEC provides services to more than 700 students and adults. Special needs students, ages 4-21, are referred from area school districts which provides funding for their education. SMEC also offers programs for people over 22 with developmental disabilities, which is funded through the state.

Each year, the Friends of SMEC Parents Group puts on a dance fundraiser event to support students and adult consumers, and the collaborative as a whole. This year's event is April 4 at 6:30 p.m. at the Seaport Inn in Fairhaven.

"Because of the 50th anniversary, its being called the Golden Gala," Cooper said. "There will be music, dancing, plus raffles and prizes, snacks and a cash bar. It's a really good time, and we usually have about 400 attendees. People look forward to it every year."

Tickets can be obtained by calling Sheri Tetrault at (508) 998-5599 ext. 130, or stopping by any SMEC location. Tickets will also be available at the door.

If you would like your organization featured on Townsquare Sunday, please email the host at jim.phillips@townsquaremedia.com.