Annual Report 2023

2023 Annual Report A Year of Dancing, Walking, Running, Working, and Flying

Board of Directors Mike Ferry, Chair Michael Lyon, Vice Chair Bruce Marzotto, Treasurer Thomas J. Hamel, Esq., Assistant Treasurer Dr. Mark Pettus, Clerk

Board Members Linda Carnevale Kathy Clark Douglas Craighead Eric Harlow Anthony Mazzeo Bob Sinopoli Joanne Spence

President & CEO Kenneth Singer, CEO Maryann Hyatt, President

Officers Blanca Durant, Chief Financial Officer Kristi Nastars, VP Human Resources

Moving BCArc Forward with Lessons of the Past We learn from crises. It exposes your strengths and weaknesses. And we adjust. This year was less about the COVID crisis, and more about how we perform in its aftermath. Some programs returned in full form, and some implemented new approaches.

Staff battled against a COVID resurgence, which they knocked back pretty quickly because this time we had policies and systems in place for responding -- and an experienced and determined staff.

We saw the return of our live events and full community engagement.

This is critical to our field of human services. BCArc thrives on personal contact and community engagement. Returning to this has brought new energy to the work -- for individuals and staff.

The entire Agency faced internal and external reviews, licensing, and accreditation -- at the state and national levels -- and earned the gold standard for excellence and best practices. For this, the staff can be proud.

For many of the individuals we serve, BCArc staff are their families.

And for them we celebrate holidays and special dates in their homes and other program settings with festive meals and all the holiday cheer they deserve. Many individuals know the family members of their staff, share in the achievement of their children and have watched them grow up. We have multi-generations of staff committed to the BCArc mission.

Providing direct care can never be called easy. But this kind of hard work provides extraordinary rewards. The stories of achievement -- of reaching goals -- that we hear from direct staff are inspiring.

Next year will bring new challenges. We plan to expand some of our programs, improve where needed, and most important, stay healthy.

Staffing remains the chief issue -- we have yet to return to the staffing levels prior to COVID. While we have made some progress recruiting staff this year, we have to continue to recruit smartly and aggressively, and of course retain our talented staff.

It is the honor of a lifetime to lead this Agency. With the staff we have, supported by great managers, the individuals BCArc serves are in great hands. Our systems are strong, finances are sound, and the individuals own our hearts. BCArc can expect another great year of successfully serving the individuals and families of Berkshire County Arc.

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President

BCAr c's Im pact on Com m u n it y $1.8 m illion

$4 m illion

$3.3 m illion

Am ou n t BCAr c paid in t o t h e r et ir em en t plan of it s eligible em ployees.

Am ou n t of ext r a pay t o st af f f or bon u ses, w eek en ds, an d m or e -t o com pen sat e h ar d w or k .

Am ou n t BCAr c paid t o su ppor t it s em ployees f or h ealt h car e cover age.

$29,000

$1.4 m illion

Am ou n t aw ar ded t o BCAr c em ployees f or r ef er r in g n ew h ir es -$430 on aver age.

Size of t h e pay r aise st af f r eceived -- a 5% in cr ease f or m ost st af f .

49

208

800

Nu m ber of st af f pr om ot ed t h is year .

Nu m ber of people BCAr c h ir ed t h is year .

Nu m ber of people BCAr c em ploys.

BCArc 2022 Revenue and Expenses Revenue

Expenses Salary/Taxes/Fringes

Government Contracts

2% 4%

5%

Maintain Buildings & Property Payments to Assist Families

Rent for Residential Programs

Other

8%

Subcontracts 89%

Subcontract

3% 8% 4%

77% Other (Marketing, Maintaining Vehicles...)

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In the Community, In BCArc Athletes won numerous medals at the Special Olympics.

BCArc Artists returned to their artwork and were featured in the CATA calendar.

The Summer Series Group learned self defense at Miner Combat.

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Dance Classes resumed at the Center for Development, returning to Open Forum.

The Northview program volunteered at the Pittsfield Dog Park, opening this year.

The City awarded special accolades to the team.

Individuals participated in a statewide walk to support people with brain injuries.

Person, Eager to Engage

Transitions members helped plant and harvest at Gideon's Gardens.

Pete, at Fenway Park with Roxy and Brooke, showed off a foul ball given to him by a nearby Yankees fan.

BCArc Co-ops residents painted a utility box in Pittsfield to send the uplifting message of "See the Good."

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Educating & Celebrating Staff, Partners, & the People BCArc Serves Golf Classic More than 40 teams -- 165 golfers -- came out to play, eat, network, win prizes, and raise more than $46,000 for BCArc.

Buddy Walk More than 700 community members gathered to express support, enjoy music, win prizes, and create awareness for Down Syndrome.

Staff Appreciation Dozens of staff and programs were recognized for their achievements.

Annual Meeting In person once again, Individuals were recognized, along with Agency staff, for hard work, resilience, and reaching goals.

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BCArc Highlights from 2022 Day Programs returned to pre-COVID OPEN AIR programming. Dancing, art, music, and field trips are back.

Re-opened Saturday Program for children -now serving elementary and middle school students.

Hiring continues to increase since COVID began -- hired more than 200 people this year.

All new hires are vaccinated as of this year .

Adult Family Care program gained 17 families, where BCArc supports the caretakers who live with the individuals.

The Family Support program prepared to open an evening program for young people in transition.

Expanded offices in Pittsfield and Westfield to accommodate the needs of Nursing, Staff Development & Training, and Human Resources.

The Master Special Needs Pooled Trust added 40 new accounts -- $2.5 million -- bringing the total for the account above $12 million.

An enhanced orientation for new staff from one day to four days consolidated training through the year.

Figh t in g f or St af f Ken , CEO, spen t cou n t less h ou r s f igh t in g f or st at e an d f eder al f u n ds t o en h an ce ser vices an d secu r e t h e pay t h at t h e st af f deser ve.

Hired m ore t han 200 people t his year, creat ing new opport unit ies -wit h benefit s --for West ern Mass resident s.

Earned t he gold st andard for excellence and best pract ices from st at e and nat ional licensing and accredit at ion reviews t his year. For t his, st aff can be proud.

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Zip 'N Sort Continues Full Service for 50+ Businesses

Sue Badger Awarded BCArc Employee of the Year Sue has supported the individuals at her residential program for over 30 years. Sue stays at the program to do whatever is needed.

This may include training new staff, taking open shifts, ordering medications, attending medical appointments, or grocery shopping.

Zip 'N Sort brought back individuals to help their business, providing mailing and fulfillment services across the region for more than 55 businesses -daily -- including Berkshire Medical Center, Health New England, Wheeler and Taylor, Greylock Credit Union, and Lee Bank. www.zipnsort.com

She supported the house during the passing of an individual, and welcomed a new individual into the home. BCArc is fortunate to have such a dedicated employee.

BCArc's Footprint Increases Along With Needs of Disability Population Day Programs Offices Pittsfield

Residential Programs Brain Injury Community Center

Springfield

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Recognizing Staff Achievements Carol Craighead Mission Award - Gayle Leroi

Annual Awards

Outstanding Administrative Employee - Kate Hood & Caroline Eldred Outstanding Employment Services - Kristen George Outstanding Brain Injury Services Award - Nicole Steinmetz Outstanding Family Support/Advocacy Employee - Jill Wollins Outstanding Day Program Employee - Talesky Xicotencatl

2022 Employees of the Quarter Staff members through the year are nominated by their coworkers each quarter for their exemplary work, such as filling critical shifts or keeping individuals safe during a trying time.

Qu ar t er 1 Suzanne Badger Joshua Moro Queen Caesar Jennifer McNulty Beverly Tobin Vernita Reid

Qu ar t er 2 Bryce Remillard Dennis Messana Michelle Porter Jessica Frimpong Leon Siklossy Connie Degasse

Qu ar t er 3 Christopher Carrigan Latasha Brown Young Kathy Bradley Deb Wagner Kristen Myers Madison Curtin

Michelle Dawson-Macchi

Qu ar t er 4 Daizialie Cruz Lasheika Moody Maureen Marion Samuel Milandou Tiffany Rodriguez Molly Najimy

Kathy Beaudin

Inspired to Walk at 70 Sharon is 70-years-old, non-verbal, and has not walked for more than 10 years ? until she met Deshauntae. ?I had never done anything like this job, and had no idea how to relate to her,? Deshauntae remembers. "I started noticing details. I saw how she held her own weight during the transition from the wheelchair to the bed.

So I started pressing her to reach more goals."

Sharon didn?t like this pressure at first, but Deshauntae pressed on. ?Eventually, she just started going for it. Now she walks to the kitchen, pulls out her chair. You can see the pride on her face.? ?Sharon lights up when Deshauntae enters the room,? Tracy, the program's manager said. ?I?ve never seen her connect with anyone like the two of them do. It?s that connection that has motivated Sharon to walk like this.?

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Volume 3, 2019

20 Years at Greylock Federal Credit Union, Holly Looks Forward to More Say ?Holly? at Greylock Federal Credit Union?s Allendale offices, and you are bound to hear a nice story from an employee about their experience working with Holly. ?It?s been 20 years,? said Kate Gelinas, Assistant Vice President, Deposit Operations Manager at Greylock. ?She?s the kind of employee we all want ? someone who asks for more when her workload gets light, someone who appreciates being here.? ?She?s always smiling, always a bright spot in the office,? said Mike Jerome, Vice President, Deposit Operations. ?We are lucky to have her." ?The best part of the job is being around such nice people,? said Holly. ?If I need something, I know I can just ask for help. Everyone here is eager to help. I?m sure there are workplaces where people don?t feel this.?

In the Direct Operations Department, Holly services the branches with scans, indexing, and mailings to members ? sending information on promotions, special announcements, and routine mailings. ?The time always goes fast here,? Holly said.

Em ploym en t Spot ligh t

?She?s t he kind of em ployee we all want ? som eone who asks for m ore when her workload get s light , and appreciat es being here.?

Holly with co-workers from the Deposit Operations Department.

"At Greylock we are proud of a staff that reflects the population of our members and the entire community,? said Mike. ?This means having an inclusive, diverse workforce.?

Holly commutes to and from work with the public bus system. ?The people who work with Holly are always very helpful to her,? said Holly?s mother, Ronnie. ?She always feels supported. She?s very fortunate to work at such a great place.?

Holly?s job is supported through BCArc?s Employment Services, a program that supports and employs dozens of individuals with disabilities. ?Her coworkers have always made her feel welcomed,? said BCArc employment manager Regan Tyer. ?They are very considerate of Holly and make sure that she has a good working space. It?s been a Several Greylock colleagues cheered on Holly has traveled to Boston to great match for everyone.?

Holly at her Swim-a-thon. Many ?Greylock has been a great partner for advocate to legislators on sponsored Holly at $1 a lap, and did BCArc on so many levels,? said Maryann behalf of people with disabilities.

Hyatt, BCArc?s President. ?They are a great not expect her to swim 100 laps. asset to the Berkshire community.?

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Residential Picnic in Westfield Begins New BCArc Tradition

Annual Pit t sfield Picnic Brings Sm iles Once Again

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Non-Profit Org. USPostage Paid Pittsfield, MA Permit No. 121

2023 Annual Campaign

Don at e Help pu r ch ase a van f or t h e Social Developm en t Cen t er -- pr ovide oppor t u n it ies t o volu n t eer , h ik e, din e, at t en d even t s, visit m u seu m s, sh op, an d m or e.

This publication is mailed by Zip 'N Sort, a BCArc Mail Service that offers pick-up and delivery for your business. www.zipnsort.com

bcarc.org/donate/

Comments, edits?

Contact David Singer at dsinger@bcarc.org