2020 Annual Report

2020 Annual Report

A Year of Lessons, Resilience, and Teamwork

Board of Directors Mike Ferry Chair Debra Jarck Vice Chair Thomas J. Hamel, Esq. Acting Treasurer Bob Sinopoli Clerk

Board Members Linda Carnevale Kathy Clark Douglas Craighead Eric Harlow Michael Lyon Bruce Marzotto Anthony Mazzeo Dr. Mark Pettus Kenneth W. Singer President & CEO

Surviving A Year Dominated by a Virus Between the two of us, we have more than 70 years of Berkshire County Arc experience. And in all those years, we both agree that never have we experienced a year like this. And never have we seen the incredible resilience and fortitude of our staff and individuals.

The people that commit to BCArc are people with an endless capacity to give. Time and again, we had employees shelter-in for two weeks straight, take-on extra shifts without flinching, and dive into areas of work to fill holes.

BCArc staff spent months without anyone testing positive. And during those times they kept the individuals they cared for equally safe from the virus. When the surge came in November, it did not spare BCArc programs.

Due to safe practices, teamwork, and commitment to the individuals we serve, the houses were restored to full health.

A vaccine is on its way, and BCArc workers will be given priority access as essential, frontline healthcare workers. We thank our elected officials for recognizing the hard work our staff does and their importance to the entire community. We hope that the high value they give to our caregivers for the vaccine can be reflected in the upcoming budgets when considering their pay.

We will continue to press our state leaders to increase the funding for direct care providers.

We know now that little can be done without everyone pitching in. Thank you for all your support this year. We could not have done it without you.

Moving forward, we expect equally financially challenging times due to the virus. We look forward to your continued support as we do everything we can to enrich the lives of the individuals we serve.

Here’s to experiencing better and happier times real soon.

MIKE FERRY

Chairman of the Board of Directors

KENNETH W. SINGER President & CEO

The pandemic couldn’t stop Advocacy & Family Support, and team members throughout the Agency, from holding a drive-through Halloween event attended by more than 100 Individuals.

Before

the Virus We started the year with a Prom We celebrated Ken’s 40 years with BCArc. Our individuals worked, and played, and grew together.

The Virus Came to Town and Hit BCArc Hard COVID-19 came quickly in early March, seemingly overnight. BCArc moved into crises mode immediately, shutting down its Day Habilitation programs and Employment Services, and acting to protect the health of its 43 homes.

Without guidance from the state at first, BCArc implemented its own rules. Early on, several of the individuals tested positive. This is when we learned about the resilience of our staff and the individuals we serve.

Some staff members sheltered-in, staying inside the home for two weeks straight.

A mother chose to quarantine with her BCArc family, surprising her teenage daughters for not putting their family first. “I told them that these people have no one else to help them. Anyone of us could be in that situation. If it was my parents, I’d have to do this for them. It could be me in a few years. We need to think of other people.�

Over time, we were challenged with some 14 positive homes, and 80-plus employees testing positive.

We Gained Control Quickly, and Stayed Agile Our individuals were stuck inside for weeks.

Many didn’t see their family members or friends for months.

By May, staff and individuals were testing negative consistently. Today we test residential employees twice a month. More than 600 tests a month. In September, all were found negative.

More than 600 staff are tested every month. Pictured here, Caroline, R.N. (right), and Shaunna, R.N., organize test kits.

“This is an amazing group,” said Ken Singer, President & CEO. “These are people who care about the individuals they serve, care about their co-workers, and care about their families. The rules work, our staff are staying safe. We are hoping for the best, but we are prepared for the worst.”

New rules from the state came at us from numerous agencies. We shifted gears often, communicated to the staff and families, implemented the new rules, only to shift again days later. The changes continue. We tighten and loosen the reins as the need requires. The safety of our individuals and staff come first.

The Nursing team took the lead in many areas, working closely with state and local public health authorities around understanding quarantines, exposures, and designing protocols for the Agency to follow.

Outdoor visits were eventually allowed. When the colder weather set in, we created two specific sites for individuals to receive visitors. When the virus spiked again toward the end of the year, we were forced to prohibit visits again.

Despite the change in routine and social isolation, individuals moved forward, reached goals, and also enjoyed a welldeserved spa day, pictured above.

Individuals stayed busy and productive, making crafts, painting, sewing and more. In Eddie’s case, pictured above, he spends time writing with his new typewriter.

On the Clinical side, we held intensive trainings for Residential and Day program staff to better work with challenging behavior, which proved effective during the lockdown periods when the virus was most dangerous.

Employee Award Winners 2020

Administrative Employee

BI Services Employee

Residential Crisis Leadership Award

Employment Services Employee

Day Program Employee

Carol Craighead Mission Award

Clinical Services Employee

Advocacy/Family Support Employee

CYBELE KILBY

REBECCA KELLY

TONI MILLER

JAMIE CARPENTER

ERIN MANSON

NICOLE ROCHEFORT

KYLE HARVEY

IDA PATELLA

Ebenezer Arhinful: Berkshire County Arc Employee of the Year recognition. “I am grateful for the help and companionship of all of the co-workers and colleagues that I have had the pleasure of working with over the years here at BCArc.”

Berkshire County Arc has named Ebenezer Arhinful its 2020 Employee of the Year, chosen from 750 employees.

“I have it in my heart to care for people,” Ebenezer said of the

Ebenezer emigrated to the United States in 2012, joining his wife and 12-year-old son, who now attends Berkshire Community College.

“I’m doing what I do best at BCArc,” he said. “In my heart we do a great job for the individuals we serve. To be chosen

as Employee of the Year for 2020 is an enormous honor, and proud moment in my professional career. I am grateful to my family for instilling in me the concept of hard work, dedication, and humanity.”

“Ebenezer gives his heart and soul to the people BCArc cares for,” said Kenneth Singer, President & CEO. “It’s been a challenging year, and Ebenezer and all our staff are the reason the individuals we serve are healthy and safe.”

Marc Bourassa, Ebenezer’s site manager, said that “Ebenezer sets the tone for every shift he works with positivity and an emphasis on team work.”

Ebenezer sees the Berkshires and BCArc his home now, and he and his family feel integrated with their new community through a local church -the Church of Pentecost in Pittsfield. “My son, my wife and I are living happily together and we have made a nice life here in the United States.”

BCArc Moved Forward Steadily Amidst the Chaos Around It The residential programs never stop. Not from a snowstorm, not from a pandemic. Individuals continued to make progress toward their goals.

While many were confined to the indoors for several months, most did surprisingly well.

Brain Injury Services increased in size, opening a 5-person residential program, to bring the BI Services total to 16 programs that serves 64 individuals.

Visits were suspended for all of BCArc’s 43 homes – twice – during the year. This put a strain on everyone involved, particularly the families and individuals.

But again, the individuals surprised everyone with their resiliency. Their coping skills often serve as a lesson to all of us.

Our Day Habilitation Programs closed for several weeks to help limit the spread of the virus. During that time, Day Hab staff fanned out across the residential programs, helping individuals meet their goals in their homes. Remote services also contributed to some of the progress made through the year.

The Day Hab programs—Crossroads, the Social Development Center, the Center for Development, and Nu-Opps -- eventually reopened, arranged around pod groups. The small pods stuck together, isolated from the other pods. The model proved successful until the surge across the country in November that led to another shutdown.

Staffing Challenges Attracting new hires to human services is always challenging, and the Pandemic added another layer of difficulty. We looked to our current staff for referrals, our most trusted source – offering bonuses for referrals – and for the first time reached out to our friends and families for employment referrals.

We continued to attract and develop new team members, as well as keep the veteran staff current on compliance issues and COVID guidelines while providing advancement opportunities for staff and managers.

Supporting Families in the Community Advocacy and Family Support helped families understand the virus, and services available. They delivered masks, gloves, toilet paper, and cleaning supplies when the pandemic hit and supplies were scarce. They also provided trainings to families in person and virtually, and offered a series of online events, notably the Virtual Buddy Walk, that attracted a few hundred participants.

Thank You Staff, Thank You Friends This year we built a beautiful park for individuals in all of BCArc’s programs.

Your generosity allowed for it to be built. Last year it was an uneven, bumpy yard of grass, with some swings and a few benches. Now, those on wheelchairs or walkers can access all parts of the yard, exercise, swing, eat, rest, chat with friends under options for shade.

Thank you everyone who gave toward this effort. We hope you visit us there and see for yourself, particularly if you bought an engraved brick.

Annual Campaign Donors 2020 (ending September 1, 2020) Family and Friends $100 and above

Joann & Paul Gavrity Haczela Construction Action Services Pest Mgmt Catherine Hall Adams Community Bank Hampshire Fire Protection Joan Apkin Mark Healy Arrow Prescription Center Mary Healy Autumn Harvest Property Herrick Mechanical Services Berkshire Chiropractic Services Helen Horton Debra & Matthew Jarck Noel & Paula Blagg Brian & Susan Johnson Ray & Patricia Boudreau Carole Kalisz Perina Buffoni Peter Kellar Mary & Paul Butler James Kirchhoffer

by Design Landscaping Martin & Hilda Koscielniak CATA Pam Leonard Nickie Chandler Brian & Janemari Chateauvert Lynn Ann Leveridge Cory Liptak Claudine Chavanne Sherry & John Loiodice Arlene & Cori Connor Ellen & Alexander Lomaglio Richard & Meryl Cooper Lynch Scrimo Attorneys Dolores & John Colwell MacFarland Office Products Douglas Craighead Carl MacMillan Susan Crofut Rep. Paul Mark Ron & Joyce Desgroseilliers Eileen Miclette Veronica Deyeso & Norman Tina Monteleone Beamon Rochelle Nahmias James Doling Ozzies Steak & Eggs Donovan O’Connor & Dodig Shannon O’Bryan edm Tehd Okun Thomas & Jane Engel Robert & Melanie Paduano The England Meier Joint Rev Diana Stiles Paruta Trust Barbara Pastie Sharon & Larry Fair Donna Pignatelli Joseph & Sharon Fialkievicz Rep. Smitty Pignatelli Sue Flanders Robert Plankey Margaret Foisy Pam Porter Forthill Farm Paul & Judith Pronsky Flynn Volkswagen Audi BMW

Mark Pullano D.M.D. John & Donna Quallen Kevin Ringie Steven Rogers, Sr. Patricia & James Scott Michael Seich Sherry Shilling The Studley Press T&C Flynn’s Pharmacy James & Donna Toomey Nancy & Peter Vosburgh Tammy Walger Rae-Ann Winters Nancy & Joe Woitkoski

$1,000 and above

$500 and above

$5,000 and above

Claim Services International Benjamin England Foppiano Family Gift Fund of Ayco David Hansen Imprint Donna Kelly MTM Dining, Inc. Anthony Mazzeo Mark Murray Philadelphia Insurance Companies Price Chopper Lee Ann and Mark Pettus Saloomey Construction Virginia & Richard Scarlet Unemployment Tax Control Assoc.

United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley Walmart

Advance Manufacturing Blue Q Doug Flutie Foundation Elinor Beidler Siklossy Foundation Mark Gionet Elizabeth Gore MountainOne Mutual of America NBT Bank Pittsfield Cooperative Bank Anthony & Lauren Quinto S & S Janitorial Services Berkshire Bank Blanchard & Daly Electrical Contractors CompuWorks Greylock Federal Credit Union The Notch Insurance Agency

$10,000 and above

Berkshire Life Foundation Community Foundation for Western Massachusetts Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare Foundation Health New England

$20,000 and above Community Foundation of Berkshire County The Feigenbaum Foundation, Inc.

Please send donor corrections or omissions to David Singer, dsinger@bcarc.org. Corrections will appear in the next issue of Visions.

Staff Donors Koblan Acquah Samuel Acquah Patrick Afari Niamke Agniman Brenda Amuso Christopher Andrews Anthony Anwonzo Ebenezer Arhinful Albert Armah Robert Assian Suzanne Badger Nicole Bak Clarice Barfi Helena Barrett Tamara Bastow Kathleen Beaudin Michelle Bedard Goundo Behanzin Ellen Bemiss Brendan Bersaw Laurianne Bigelow Karen Black Marc Bourassa Jennifer Boyer Kathryn Bradley Amy Brassard Shaunna Brogan Christine Bussolari AnnMarie Cairns Lisa Catellier Deborah Chaffee Shaunna Christiana Jessenia Colon Madison Corkery Mercy Cronze Meredith Crosler Cynthia Cudjoe Theresa Cunningham Courtney Daley Teresa Davenport Michele Dawson-Macchi Lisa Demary Tara DePasquale Efrain Diego Gravin Dillard Pauline Dongala Kathy Dowd Michelle Drake Nicholas Durwin Caroline Eldred Ismail Farah Christine Ferrari Anne Fish Mary Beth Galliher Shannon Garafalo Jenna Garcia-Bertera Kristen George Fataou Geraldo Theresa Gonglik Deborah Gore Brittany Gresser Scott Gullett

Shivadas Guthrie Eileen Haggerty Shaun Hall Kyle Harvey Theresa Hathaway Richard Hawes Elizabeth Honiker Kate Hood Melissa Hunter Sharon Ireland Penny Jefferson Tida Jiana Shiwen Kanel Anibeth Kasza Roberta Kaufer Jonathan Kelley Caitlin King-Hayes Brandon Knights Donna Kolodziej John Koomson Mensah Ahou Kouakou Gnopo Randi La Mark LaVigne Christie Lewis Edward Lewis Caitlyn Liberty Katherine Maloney Joy Marino Nicole Martin James Martin Matthew McClusky Holly McCreary Juanita McGovern Jennifer McNulty Holden Mechachonis Mackenzie Melski Bernard Melski Toni Miller Joshua Moro Mary Myrick Chris Negri Andre Neil Kristen O’Connell Sylvia Owusu Saby Pagan David Palliardi Ida Patella Crystal Pensivy Gail Perachi Shavon Polidoro Michelle Porter Leslie Potter Yoanni Pusquin Narvaez Eric Quaidoo Targen Quamie Angela Raciti Stephanie Ramos Mackenzie Randall Kathleen Reed Roxanne Renton Vicki Richardson Laverne Robinson-Peters

Rachaelanne Roche Nicole Rochefort Julia Rochelo Kara Rogers Renee Roman Virakpanha Ros Jasmine Ryan Linda Savary Barbara Stein Janet Stone Sheila Straba Tonya Street Kimberly Styer Stephen Tatro Maricelli Torres Joseph Turner Rechael Valentine Zachary VanWart Sharon Watford Eileen West Nathan White Kayla White Jayne Wick Nancy Willey

$100 and over

Shanice Ayala Tanya Balsamo Jean Bede St James Boss Susanne Brelsford Robin Brown Kristal Buckley Deborah Caiola Zina Cameron-Dickson Kasey Connors-Beron Craig Conover

Connie Dagesse Norma DelSonno Dawne Doherty Suzanne Downer Ashley Errichetto Charles Ferry Erwin Figueroa Kaitlyn Giron Zak Gratton Mary Hahn Tamari Hall Korpo Harris Tanisha Harris-Yeboah Maryann Hyatt Cindy Keiderling Andrew Kelly Pamela Kight Cybele Kilby Tammy Kupernik Maryellen Lassalle Delroy Leard Kayla Lemaire Gayle Leroi Erin Manson Eva-Eliaika Mbuya Rachel McHugh Chris Melski Jacob Meyers Kristen Myers Kristi Nastars Janet Newberry Stephanie Orestil Matthew Pennell Sophia Peprah Dennis Radford Yaremi Ramirez Concepcion Romero

Jennifer Rush Kathleen Ryan Sonya Sadoway Jeremy Sigoski David Singer Jennifer A. Smith Amber Steele Sonja Stewart Barbara Tanski Jose Taveras Beverly Tobin Debra Wagner Jessica Warner Theresa White Nancy Willey Donna Williams Helen Williams Jenifer Wood Steve Wright Mary Wright Talesky Xicotencatl

$200 and over Kristie Cullison Sheri Griffin Rhodora Higgins James Ivy Dennis Messana Christopher Peltier Kathleen Ryan Benjamin Wibby Jill Wollins

$500 and over Blanca Durant Kenneth Singer

7% 5%

Expenses 2020

5% 9%

74%

■ Salaries/Taxes/Fringes 74% ■ Occupancy 9% ■ Family Assistance 5% ■ Subcontracts 5% ■ Other 7% $38,754,074

6%

100%

2 5% %

Income 2020

87%

■ Government 87% ■ Subcontract 6% ■ Client/Private 5% ■ Gifts and Other 2% $39,168,998

100%

Looking forward toward the 2021 Annual Campaign

2021 Annual Campaign The Tech and Rec Fund We are raising money to enrich the lives of individuals and staff in two areas: technology and recreational activities.

Technology Sample Requests Monitors for Zooming • Scanners Games • Apps • iPads • etc.

Recreation Sample Requests Basketball Hoop • Accessible • Swing for Wheelchairs Bocci Set • Board Games • Cornhole • Croquet Indoor Putting • Foosball • etc.

For more information, please contact David Singer, dsinger@bcarc.org, or call 413-499-4241 x254.

The Pandemic changed everything. And while a return to “normal” is inevitable, we are not there now.

The money you give this year will go into a fund for all BCArc programs.

Each program can then apply to the Tech & Rec Fund Committee to fund items like the ones listed.

We Voted with Excitement and Pride The pandemic seemed aligned with this year’s election season, and many of our individuals were determined to participate, some for their first time.

Some of us gained citizenship.

Pictured here is Helene Yameogo at her naturalization ceremony in Naumkeag in Stockbridge.

Supporting people.

Enriching lives.

bcarc.org

395 South Street Pittsfield, MA 01201 413-499-4241