Visions March 2023 Vol. 1

Volume I 2023

VISIONS Spr ou t Film Fest Ret u r n s, Fu ll Cr ow d an d 13 Sh or t M ovies

"I Am Alive," "Ascent," and "Cocktails with Ben" were a few of the 13 short films spotlighted at the 13th Sprout Film Festival, hosted by BCArc's Down Syndrome Family Group. The films and lunch

took place at Taconic High School for the first time. The crowd stayed for lunch, socialized, and shopped for crafts made by BCArc individuals from several programs.

Boar d of Dir ect or s

Leading BCArc Toward its Future

Mike Ferry, Chair Michael Lyon, Vice Chair Bruce Marzotto, Treasurer Thomas J. Hamel, Esq., Assistant Treasurer Dr. Mark Pettus, Clerk Boar d M em ber s Linda Carnevale Kathy Clark Douglas Craighead Eric Harlow Anthony Mazzeo Bob Sinopoli Joanne Spence President & CEO

The staff at BCArc are inspiring. You will see in these pages that we recently opened a new residential program for individuals with brain injury, and launched a program to support families who need extra time after work. It is the drive and initiative of BCArc's staff -- its future leaders -that make these new programs possible.

This Agency is structured to provide clear career paths for staff to grow and advance. Ideally we want to retain our staff for a meaningful and lifelong career. Last year alone we promoted 49 employees. We have more than 40 employees who have been with BCArc 20-plus years, and 130 employees over 10 years. Those stats tell a powerful and positive story about the staff at BCArc. I started at BCArc in a residential program and took advantage of the career path and opportunities for advancement that BCArc offers.

Because of our committed, determined staff, we are well-positioned to serving the growing disability population for generations to come.

Maryann Hyatt

Maryann Hyatt President & CEO

Employees of the Quarter -- Quarter I, 2023 Six staff members, nominated by their coworkers for their work in the past quarter, were recognized as Employees of the Quarter.

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Crystal Taylor Residential

Laverne RobinsonPeters, Residential

Charles King Relief

Albert Armah Residential

Sonia Colon Vidal Crossroads

Rams Alhassan BI Community Center

VISIONS Volume I, 2023

BCArc Opens New Home, Welcomes Nikki

Nikki, described as overwhelmed with happiness, enters her bedroom for the first time with her sister Trisha.

Berkshire County Arc opened its 43rd residential program this spring with a newly built home in Southampton. Its first resident -- Nikki -- moved in from a nursing home.

Nikki was thrilled to settle into her new house and enjoy the privacy of her own bedroom. Within days she visited other BCArc programs and made new friends. She eagerly awaits her housemates.

Nikki said that since moving in, she "wakes up everyday and thinks she's Nikki made a quick friend with her dreaming." new neighbor.

New Program Offers Respite for Families and Skill-Building Fun for Individuals A new BCArc program provides support for young adults who live with their families and may not have any supports during the later afternoon and evening hours. The new program -- which runs from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., integrates activities with the community, including music, art and dance classes, museum visits, sporting events, and more.

"Through these activities Molly, an Avatar fan, celebrated her we teach 25th birthday with the group in March. communication, decision making, personal finance and managing money, social skills and working together," said Sonja Ryan, left, with Daryn, poses in the art room with Haecker, Executive Vice President. "The goal is safety staff member Vicki. and fun."

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BCArc Launches Transitions Emporium Store

The Transitions Emporium had its official launch on Valentine's Day, offering a variety of products for sale including backpacks, water bottles, shirts, and crafts made at the programs.

The Emporium is designed, operated and marketed by members of BCArc's Transitions program team.

Profit made by their sales goes back into the programs.

You can visit the shop through BCArc's homepage www.bcarc.org.

RetiringAfter Growingthe SampleExpressSite Peter Muir will miss the business and the people who helped make it successful through BCArc's Employment Services -- including six hardworking individuals with disabilities. For 15 years he headed up the operation that " It w as alw ays an in t er est in g m ix bet w een h u m an ser vices w or k an d cor por at e expect at ion s." cut commercial roofing material into samples to prepare for distributing around the world -- one of three sites in the country for the global Sample Express. "It was always an interesting mix between human services work and corporate expectations. I look forward to retirement -traveling and bicycling -- but thankful for this experience with BCArc," said Peter.

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BICCMembersShine at Open House Event

Mayor Michael McCabe & Jillian Rivera, Program Director

BICC Member Brian

BCArc President & CEO Maryann Hyatt

Senator John Velis

BICC Members Michael and Jeff

MRC Commissioner Toni Wolf

Member and Mural Artist Frankie

The ribbon-cutting event for the Westfield Brain Injury Community Center highlighted the speaking talents of its individual members, who told emotional, personal stories on the Center 's impact on their lives. Attended by Mayor Michael McCabe, Sen. John Velis, and MRC Commissioner Toni Wolf, the event brought the Center recognition for its achievements.

"We are thrilled to open the only club house for individuals with brain injury in Western Massachusetts,? said Ken Singer, BCArc?s previous president & CEO. ?It has been planned for a long time and it is exciting to see it come to fruition.?

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Sarah Serves Up Smiles at Dietary Aid Job Sarah has been working at the Mt. Carmel Care Center in Lenox since 2007 as a Dietary Aide. Her main job duties include setting up the meal trays, assisting in the tray line at meal time, delivering the meal carts, stocking and delivering the beverage carts, setting up and cleaning multiple dining rooms, and help cleaning the kitchen at the end of her shift.

Sarah has memorized the residents' dietary restrictions on their meal cards to cross reference their meals. She can tell you who eats and doesn't eat specific ingredients. Her positive attitude and contagious smile brings joy to the residents. She is also a well-known fan of Taconic High School's basketball. You can often spot her cheering in the stands.

Sarah also makes desserts, stocks the dry cereal, sweeps, and more. She stayed employed during COVID and worked full-time hours due to shortages to support the staff. "Sarah steps up to the plate on a regular basis, and is reliable and dependable," said her manager Michelle.

Marissa Deputized Fire Marshall During Station Tour

On their way to the Fire House, individuals from BCArc's Northview program passed four trucks tending to a call. While touring the Station, the trucks returned, and the firefighters welcomed the individuals to the station, gave the grand tour, and appointed Marissa as Fire Marshall. In return for their firefighter 's generosity, they baked and delivered five dozen cookies for the squad.

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VISIONS VOLUME I, 2023

FriendsWe Will AlwaysRemember Marlene Graney 6-18-52 3-24-23 Marilyn Schowalter 10-18-37 3-26-23 Timothy Schnopp 4-9-1959 11-23-2022

Lisa Zaleski 8-6-1965 3-15-23

Stanley Dronzek 10-6-56 2-26-2023

Full-Time at BICC, Pursuing a Degree, and Providing Residential Relief by Nicole Lemire Lamnatu Alhassan, or Rams, as she is known by friends and family, was recently named one of BCArc?s Employees of the Quarter, a result of her strong work ethic and willingness to help wherever she is needed.

In addition to her work at the Brain Injury Community Center, Rams also performs relief work on weekends at BCArc's residential homes, and will begin pursuing her Bachelor 's Degree in the fall at Westfield State.

Rams described herself as someone who is always willing to pick up a shift when she is able, which is why she believes she was chosen for this award. Her favorite part of the job is spending time with individuals and connecting with them.

"I love to work, and I don't hesitate to help where I am needed."

BCArc Packs Beacon Cinema for Private Show Champions, starring Woody Harrelson, depicts a basketball coach working with a team of individuals with intellectual disabilities as part of his community service.

BCArc individuals filled every seat of the private showing extended to the Agency, and at least one patron was heard shouting, "Hey, that player looks like me."

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Betsy's Corner: Letter to the City Leads to a Smoother Ride by Betsy Carlotto This January I wrote to the Vice President of Residential Services, Chris Melski, to tell him how worried I was about the condition of Quarry Hill Road and asked him to please fix the road we travel daily to The Center for Development. There are huge pot holes in the ground which make for a very bumpy ride. There are 50-plus people who attend CFD and 20 staff who travel this road every day. Sometimes people drive on the other side of the road to avoid the pot holes!

As soon as Chris Melski got my letter, he immediately took action! He forwarded my letter to the Town of Lee?s Department of Public Works Superintendent Lenny Tisdale, and the very next day there was a crew outside filling the pot holes on Quarry Hill Road. This is a temporary fix; when the weather gets warmer the whole road will be done over the right way with a new blacktop.

One night Chris called to tell me what a good job I did on the letter and how proud he was of me for advocating for myself. I said ?I was just thinking about the safety of my friends. It is not fun bouncing around in the vans and some of my friends are in wheelchairs, which are locked in but can move a little sometimes.? The ride is better now, thank you to Chris Melski and The Department of Public Works in Lee. We can always count on you.

Brittiany McDermott Wins George Porter Memorial Award

Brittiany won this award for her care and commitment to the individuals BCArc serves.

Congratulations Brittiany!

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Therapy Dog--Named after Donna's In-Law--Visits Program Winston the Therapy Dog was named after Donna's brother-in-law, a Lieutenant with the Pittsfield Police Department who passed away in 2018.

Here, Winston and Officer Derby visit the Northview program, where Donna attends.

Pictured here is Jenna getting big greetings from Winston.

Friends Jam at St. Pat's Chance to Dance Event

Celebrating Her 80th -- With BCArc Since Age 11 BCArc recently celebrated Mary?s 80th birthday with her family. Mary's parents were part of the initial group that conceived and launched BCArc in 1954.

Of the first group served by BCArc 65 years ago, only Mary survives. Tracing Mary?s journey through BCArc, when she started at age 11, is also a journey through BCArc itself. BCArc began with

Her par en t s w er e par t of t h e in it ial gr ou p t h at con ceived an d lau n ch ed BCAr c in 1954.

11 people coming together to create a support network. The regular meetings started to attract more families, and eventually professionals? teachers, doctors, nurses, speech and hearing specialists. The story continues 69 years later.

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BCArc Staff Host Cooking Shows, Promote their Culture's Dishes BCArc hosted cooking shows featuring Carmen Betances and Carlton Deen, two staff members who enjoy feeding the individuals in their residential programs. In the videos, Carmen and Carlton move through their recipes, instructing viewers on their no-longer secret ingredients. Carmen cooked a Dominican Pollo Guisado con habichuelas guisadas con arroz y ensalada verde, and Carlton made a spicy chicken curry, brought over from the West Indies. The programs, presented by BCArc's Diversity Committee, celebrate the cultural diversity BCArc staff bring to the agency. Check out both videos at bcarc.org/the-bcarc-diversity-page/

Celina meal is a traditional dish of the Dominican Republic.

Carlton prepares West Indian chicken curry with the help of a few individuals in the home.

Maria's Art to Hang in Training Dept.

BCArc Babies: Meet Delilah Rae

BCArc individual and artist Maria, left, was commissioned by Senior Training Specialist Jen McNulty, center, to create a painting for her office.

Also pictured, Vicki Alibozek from Transitions.

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Rachel Nicola Jefferson gave birth to Delilah Rae, calling her "Rose Manor and Goldenhill?s favorite new addition."

BCArc wishes all the best to Rachel, a past Employee of the Year.

Artists Show their Work at Botanical Gardens CATA Show

Titled "My Vacation," Nathaniel dances in front of his latest painting at CATA's Berkshire Botanical Garden show called "The View From Here." At right, Jeri, who attends Nu-Opps and lives in a BCArc program, stands by her untitled watercolor monotype. Several BCArc individuals sold their art work at the show. CATA provides the art classes and presented the exhibit.

Employment Services Comes Together for Pancake Breakfast and Comradery Employment Services staff typically spend the workday spread across Berkshire County to help more than 80 individuals with disabilities succeed at their employment sites. Pictured here is a community breakfast to bring staff together for a rare time of comradery and leisure. Joining Employment Services staff is the team from Northview, left, a community based day service. On right, Chef Pam Kight, Director of Employment and Community Based Day Services, with staff Stephen Albareda.

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Non-Profit Org. USPostage Paid Pittsfield, MA Permit No. 121 395 South Street Pittsfield MA 01201

Save Th e Dat e BCArc's Annual Meeting June 16, 2023 Ber k sh ir e Hills Cou n t r y Clu b

The Lepotakis Family enjoy their victory moment with their son Stephen (pictured above left). BCArc board member Kathy Clark holds her bronze medal, while Cindy smiles with her silver medal at the Special Olympics State Bowling Tournament in Auburn.

This publication is mailed by Zip 'N Sort, a mail service that offers pick-up and delivery for your business, and employs individuals with disabilities. www.zipnsort.com

Comments? Contact David Singer at dsinger@bcarc.org