Brad Howell, CEO of Fidelity House CRC with Yvonne Allard, retired CEO of Fidelity House, Inc.

The Boards of Directors of Fidelity House Human Services, Lawrence, and Career Resources Corporation, Haverhill, approved a merger agreement effective January 1, 2019. The name for the newly merged nonprofit is Fidelity House CRC.

Brad Howell, who served as the CEO of Career Resources Corporation for thirteen years, has been appointed CEO of the combined organization.

Andrew Novelline, President of Abbot Financial Management in North Andover, will serve as President of the board of directors. Walter Meyer, Tax Executive Director of Ernst & Young, PC, is Vice President of the board. Chuck Walker, President of Pentucket Bank, is the Treasurer. Attorney Kara Johnson of Spruce Law LLC in Andover is the Clerk.

Outgoing Fidelity House CEO Yvonne Allard, who extended her retirement date to ensure a smooth transition, said “the two agencies are a natural fit in terms of geography and mission and values.”

Together the agencies have 97 years of human services experience and are well known for providing programs and services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  While they offer many of the same programs, each agency provides services not offered by the other.

Fidelity House CRC now serves 1,200 children, teens and adults in the Merrimack Valley and across northeastern Massachusetts. Services include community residences for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities or acquired brain injury, day habilitation, community-based day supports, vocational services, intensive in-home services, and family support.

According to Howell, the purpose of the merger is “to enhance services, improve efficiency and to increase the capacity for innovation.” Howell emphasized that “there will be no interruption in services. The needs of the individuals we serve remain our top priority.”

Brad Howell holds a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology and has served people with disabilities for 35 years. He sits on the governing board of Merrimack Valley Community Partner program which provides care coordination for MassHealth members. He is also Vice Chair of the board of the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Association of Developmental Disabilities Providers board of directors.

Fidelity House CRC is funded by the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services, Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, MassHealth, and through grants and charitable donations.