Is the Invictus Forever plan for the old Marian High School dead?

The image above was the plan for this organization. We have been covering the poor management of the charity organization for years, and now, under the cover of executive privilege, the City Council will be discussing, purchasing, leasing, or taking by eminent domain, the building, which has been vacant since the organization purchased it.

In 2021, the organization was heavily fundraising, seeking donors for naming rights. Just about everything was up for grabs. Not listed, but available were bricks, at $1000 each. We hope that if the plan is dead, that anyone who donated to get their name attached to anything, starts seeking to see if they are due a refund.

THE FOLLOWING IS OUR EARLIER REPORTING FROM DECEMBER 2020.

First off, we are not thrilled about this plan as it brings ANOTHER tax-exempt social service downtown. Additionally the nonprofit known as Invictus Forever Inc, has zero operational history. Invictus Forever Inc. seems to have been formed by a name change in March of 2020 from Paragon Metrowest, Inc. Paragon Metrowest itself was founded in July of 2019, which had zero operations and no web presence. Also of concern is that our research has shown that the nonprofit may lack financing and is “all-in” on the purchase.

As recorded by the registry of deeds on December 16th 2020, Invictus Forever, Inc. a 501(c)(3) non profit purchased from the Roman Cathoilic Archbishop of Boston, the Marian High School at 273 Union Ave, and its associated rectory at 5 Thurber Street. Closing took place in the early afternoon hours of Wednesday, December 16th. The purchase price paid for these buildings was $2,600,000. Signing on the dotted line on behalf of Invictus Forever, was Carolyn Langer, President, and for the Roman Catholic Church, Cardinal Sean O’Malley.

The Marian properties purchased are assessed at $8,678,600 combining both the school, rectory, and lands. However these properties have never been a part of the tax rolls for Framingham.

Invictus Forever Inc. describes itself in the follow language, “Invictus Forever is a nonprofit organization that seeks to meet the vocational, recreational, social, educational, and therapeutic needs of children and adults with disabilities. Invictus Forever’s meaningful activities and inclusive social initiatives cater to individuals with mild to severe disabilities (e.g., autism, developmental disabilities, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy) By promoting a tolerant and respectful atmosphere that recognizes and nurtures each individual’s unique talents, we are able to create a safe, warm, and welcoming environment where individuals of all strengths and abilities can excel.”

At the time we first covered Invictus Forever, their mission was listed as “Invictus’ model will include a state-of-the-art Life Skills Development, a residential component, and a robust initiative around workforce development. Meaningful activities and social enterprises will cater to individuals with mild, moderate, and severe disabilities (including those with autism or intellectual & developmental disabilities), and to the interests of the broader community.“

Their plan for Framingham was to be, “Invictus Forever plans to create a state-of-the-art facility where individuals with disabilities can develop and improve their life skills in a safe, non-judgmental setting while still having access to the greater community. Our “Life Skills Development Center” located a half-mile from downtown Framingham, MA will serve as Invictus Forever’s main hub for recreational activities, social events, vocational opportunities, and therapeutic services. Our wide range of programming will be designed to enhance life, social, cognitive, gross motor, and fine motor skills. At the heart of the Life Skills Development Center will sit a myriad of social enterprises where individuals will be able to practice their life skills in a safe, controlled, and welcoming environment.

Individuals will have the opportunity to take advantage of the services offered at Invictus Forever’s Life Skills Development Center in Framingham, Massachusetts. Services we plan to offer include:     

All of our programs will be designed to help individuals develop their life skills. Programs and activities at our Life Skills Development Center will focus on life skills in five key areas: independent living, social skills, vocational skills, safety skills, and financial literacy. 

​Our Life Skills Development Center will offer recreational programs in a range of subject areas including sports, performing arts, visual arts, cooking, STEM, language arts, reading & writing, life skills, and functional therapies. Individuals will have the chance to work on their IFSP/IEP/ISP goals, thus enhancing their general skill sets. Knowledgeable instructors trained to work with the individuals with disabilities will lead classes and activities.

We plan to host events for the whole family that will give individuals the opportunity to practice their skills while also having lots of fun! Events like game nights, talent shows, and carnivals will encourage social interaction, teamwork, creativity, and so many other important skills.

Located in the front of our Life Skills Development Center, fully operational social enterprises will serve patrons of the public. Individuals will learn valuable life skills both by shopping and working at our social enterprises. Individuals who work in these shops will build their social skills by interacting with customers while simultaneously acquiring practical and marketable vocational skills. Our social enterprises will serve as safe environments where individuals will be able to practice their skills without a fear of being judged. Social enterprises will include a café, vintage store, florist shop, and more!”

Let’s learn about these social enterprises planned… and these are some lofty goals.

THE CAFE: Featuring a menu of healthy options, the café will be open to the general public. It will also be the ideal setting for customers with disabilities to practice key elements of dining out including ordering food, table manners, and post-meal cleanup. Individuals who choose to work in the café will acquire valuable vocational and social skills related to the restaurant business. The perfect gathering spot, the café will be a great place to connect with people and foster friendships all while enjoying a delicious meal!

THE VINTAGE STORE: The vintage shop will sell secondhand goods donated by members of the general public. Individuals with disabilities will have the opportunity to work in the vintage shop and gain the vocational and social skills associated with running a retail business. Customers will enjoy browsing through the selection of one-of-a-kind merchandise. Whether it’s antiques, clothing, knickknacks, or other items, the vintage shop will have something for everyone!

THE ADAPTIVE CLOTHING STORE: The styles and trends found in today’s stores do not meet the needs of individuals with disabilities. Complicated buttons, tricky ties, snaps, and zippers can be frustrating and restrictive. Promoting inclusive fashion by offering clothing with adaptive features such as Velcro, magnetic snaps, elastic waistbands, etc., Invictus Forever’s clothing store will fuse fashion and function.

THE SENSORY FRIENDLY ARCADE: With flashing lights and pounding music, typical arcades can often result in sensory overload for gamers with disabilities. Invictus Forever’s arcade will be designed with these individuals and their sensitivities in mind. Players can work on improving their fine motor skills while enjoying sensory-friendly games. The arcade will give individuals a chance to have an experience similar to that of their typical peers, but without all the sensory overload.

THE ADAPTIVE BOWLING ALLEY: Adjacent to the arcade, the bowling alley will be a great place to exercise, improve gross and fine motor skills, and hang out with friends. With the option to raise the bumpers and use assistive ramps, every individual will be able to fully experience all the fun bowling has to offer. The bowling alley will also make a fantastic venue for birthday parties and other events. 

THE ART GALLERY: To help promote creative expression, Invictus Forever’s art gallery will showcase pieces created by artists with disabilities. Participants in studio classes and our visual art & design vocational training pathway will have the option to display their work in the gallery. Handmade crafts of all kinds will be available for members of the public to purchase.

THE FLORIST SHOP: Our florist shop will be a wonderful vocational training site for individuals with disabilities to blossom. Trainees will work with our florists to assemble exquisite arrangements and build beautiful bouquets. In addition to learning about the elements and techniques of floral design, trainees will also come to understand floral trends and the principles of proper plant care.

THE SALON: After a successful day of task mastering, individuals will be able to book an appointment at the salon for a well-deserved session of pampering and relaxation. A unisex establishment, this soothing setting will offer services in haircuts and styling, makeup makeovers, and manicures. The salon will help to instill confidence in individuals. Keeping with the latest trends and styles, clients will feel great knowing that they look great!

THE SOUVENIR SHOP: Offering more vocational opportunities to individuals with disabilities, the Souvenir Shop will sell practical items that will make an individual’s experience at our Life Skills Development Center even more enjoyable (e.g., swim caps, water bottles, stationery, etc.) Visitors will be able to stop by and pick up a souvenir to remember their extraordinary time at the Center!

This seems to be a huge undertaking for an organization that has not done anything officially. They had met a month ago, and we have their plan. In this plan, we learn that two initial board members of the organization, resigned and walked away from the group. Months prior to their launch, Invictus Forever had posted to multiple bulleting boards that they were seeking a board of directors… and money. Look at the resignations below under agenda #3

Digging in the records,  has showed that there were two transactions made in regards to the purchase of the Marian property. Down the street from her primary residence at 71 Buckskin Drive in Weston, a property at 157 Buckskin Drive, in Wayland, owned by a trust in the name of Carolyn Langer, President of Invictus Forever, also was transacted upon. 157 Buckskin Drive was purchased by Langer on January 12th, 2018 for $1,123,000.

It appears that lacking any money of its own, Invictus Forever, was not able to purchase the Marian property on its own. As part of the Marian purchase agreement Langer needed to obtain a promissory note in favor of the mortgage company in the amount of $2,600,000, this means that if Invictus Forever fails to pay on Marian, the mortgage company can seize Langer’s $1,040,200 Wayland appraised home.

No action took place on the 71 Buckskin Drive address, which as been owned by the Langer family since 1999, for which they paid $1,445,000. This address is used as the primary and registered address of Invictus Forever.

Why does any of this matter. This city is already very heavy into the social services, especially downtown. A charitable organization with no proven track record, which has only just incorporated, with a board of directors, that is fluid, where members have already quit, concerns us.

Without listing specific incidents, social services, even those catering to youth and the disabled have affected residents on specific streets downtown. Good intentions, poorly managed, cause problems.

We wish Invictus Forever our best, but we worry about inexperience and its effect on taxpayers.