Visions January 24 Vol. 1

Volume I , 2024

VISIONS

Staying Fit through the Winter Months Individuals have been taking part in a variety of fun activities to get moving and stay fit, including boxing lessons, workout classes, and ice skating.

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 Maryann Hyatt

Year 1: Grateful for Growing Together In my first full year as President & CEO of Berkshire County Arc, 17 new individuals moved into our residential programs, the most transition the program has experienced in recent memory.

Moving to a new home for anyone is an emotional event. At BCArc, the family meets with the staff, the individual meets their house peers, spends some time together, and maybe spends a night or two before making any decisions.

Often the new individuals are overwhelmed with joy and disbelief. A recently moved-in resident was so taken with joy, that a staff person said to me, "It?s days like this that make this job 100% worthwhile." (see page 5 for more). We are lucky to watch the happiness on their faces, watch them make new friends, help them furnish and arrange their room, and watch them bask in the comfort of their new home.

Working at BCArc also includes loss. This year several people dear to us passed away. During these times BCArc staff spend time in hospitals offering comfort, experience hospice together, make funeral arrangements, and console friends and housemates. Despite these trying times, our staff perform with grace and dignity.

"Caring for people the way We tell our new employees that this our staff does seems to me is not easy work. During all these as important as any work deeply emotional days, staff still need can be. I am proud of what to keep meticulous records for state we accomplished this year." agencies, administer medicines, attend doctor appointments, prepare meals, tend to financial matters, and perform countless more tasks. Despite all this, we have more than 40 employees who have been with BCArc 20-plus years, and 130 employees more than 10 years. Some, like myself, have been doing this work for more than 30 years. We experience the growth of individuals over decades, and they watch our growth as well.

I am grateful to be leading this team. Caring for people the way our staff does seems to me as important as any work can be. I am proud of what we accomplished this year, and look forward to growing together next year.

Maryann Hyatt President & CEO 2

VISIONS VOLUME I, 2024

Scenes from a Family Photo Shoot BCArc furnished its new office spaces with dozens of family photos from the Berkshires to the Pioneer Valley. Here are a few shots.

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Celebrating the New Year & Spreading Holiday Cheer

Individuals, staff, and family celebrated the holidays at various parties and themed events. Guests were able to get into the spirit together with good food and good company.

To end the holiday season, individuals rang in the new year with resolutions and goals for 2024.

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VISIONS VOLUME I, 2024

Home Sweet Home for 17 New Individuals Seventeen individuals moved into BCArc homes last year from the Berkshires to the Pioneer Valley.

Some came from nursing homes, family homes, shared living programs, and Nikki moved into a newly-built BCArc home in other situations.

Southampton, attends the Day Hab program For each Nu-Opps, and often wears this smile. new resident, the staff and current residents play a large role in the process to transition the new individual and family to the new house.

"Chris is really in his glory today," said Jamie Sigoski, a residential supervisor who helped helped move an individual into a Pittsfield home. "He is over the moon with his new bedroom and new friends. He couldn't be happier!"

Another new Pittsfield resident -- different house -- made friends quickly and acclimated immediately at the Crossroads Day Habilitation program, where she attends several times a week.

"Thomas was overwhelmed by his new program and its beauty," said Jessica Warner, Assistant Director of Brain Injury Services, referring to BCArc's home in Lanesboro that sits on a hill overlooking the mountains. "He was Tom was excited to move to Lanesboro, with a almost in disbelief full view of the mountains from this chair. that this would all be his. He couldn't stop talking about it."

Tracy, a new resident in Pittsfield, made friends quickly.

Chris moved into his Pittsfield home before the holidays, and quickly caught the holiday spirit.

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Friends We Will Always Remember

Marie DeFreest 2-28-62 1-1-24

Richard Eramo 2-21-51 12-2-23

Lucinda Jackie 8-21-61 12-15-23

Kimberly Campbell 5-20-63 1-17-64

Self-Described "Weekend Warrior " Balances Nursing School, Motherhood, and Overnight Shifts Rachael McHugh calls herself the ?Weekend Warrior ? because of her work schedule -- 40 hours in three days. Although this schedule may not be for everyone, Rachel loves having four days off per week, as it gives her plenty of time to spend with her two sons.

In the fall, Rachael plans to start an RN program at Berkshire Community College. She has been studying nursing for several years and is excited to have the finish line in sight.

Once she completes the program, she plans to work as a nurse at BCArc, as she loves patient care and bonding with the individuals BCArc serves.

Rachael has had such a positive experience working at BCArc that she encouraged her wife, Alisha, to apply. Now, Alisha is the site manager of a BCArc home in Pittsfield. ?It?s been great having both of us working at BCArc because we can relate to each other,? Rachael said. ?If one of us is struggling with something at work, the other person really understands. But then, if one of us had a great day at work, Rachael spending time with David, an we?re also able to celebrate together.? individual in the BCArc home where she works..

Rachael is passionate about advocating for accessibility.

Her commitment to this issue increased after she had surgery on her foot and was wheelchair-bound for several months. She recalls many experiences where public areas did not have the proper accommodation for her, as well as feeling judged by strangers. ?I was already empathetic to these issues, but experiencing it firsthand just made me even more passionate about accessibility and breaking stigmas around disabilities.?

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Family Support Conference Tackles Issues on Wellness in the Berkshires

More than 100 people attended BCArc's Family Support conference on "Wellness in the Berkshires," featuring a keynote by Dr. Mark Pettus, three breakout sessions, a family panel, and tabling by supporting agencies who promoted their services.

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State Issues High Marks to BCArc License Survey An intensive review from the Mass. Department of Developmental Services (DDS) Office of Quality Enhancement awarded BCArc the state?s highest level of licensure, recognizing the supports provided by the agency, the care of its individuals, and the diligence of the staff. ?I am so thrilled and proud of our staff,? said Maryann Hyatt, BCArc?s President & CEO. ?They work so hard, care for BCArc?s individuals, and tend to all the detailed record keeping this work requires.?

A team from DDS spent several days at BCArc, talking to the individuals who BCArc serves, interviewing staff at the residential and employment programs, and reviewing the past two years of BCArc?s record keeping. They also looked at items that include managing the finances and healthcare of the individuals, reaching their behavioral goals, and employment opportunities.

"It's a rigorous process and I couldn't be more proud of our team," said Maryann.

BCArc Recognizes Hollow Road for its Work, Manager Gives Credit to Staff 's Dedication Hollow Road Site Manager Alyson Kalisz says that the key to running a successful program is putting the individual's needs first and maintaining strong, consistent communication among staff.

This, she said, led to Hollow Road getting named BCArc?s DDS Program of the Year this past summer. ?Our main goals for this program are to keep the individuals happy and healthy, and to keep their house clean and acceptable to live in,?

Alyson said. ?That is my number one priority.?

Previously, the individuals in her program were nonverbal, and the house had an established

?Our main goals for this program are to keep the individuals happy and healthy." dynamic. But when a new resident moved in this year, the staff and other residents adapted to make the house a positive place for everyone.

Alyson attributes the success of the program to the hard work of her staff, and the willingness of the individuals to adapt.

"The staff do anything and everything for this program. Some, like Albert, have been here a long time and treat the individuals like family. It's nice to see our hard work get recognized.?

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VISIONS VOLUME I, 2024

Employees of the Quarter - Quarter I, 2024 Staff members are nominated by their coworkers, and a committee selects the winners each quarter.

George Gyan

Rachael McHugh

Matt Alibozek

Mavis Mensah

Darcey Sawtelle

Residential

Residential

Employment

Residential

Crossroads

Gr an t Helps Su ppor t New Hom e f or In dividu als w it h Br ain In ju r ies Berkshire County Arc received a $250,000 grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank that helped build a new home in Southampton to give new lives to four men with brain injuries. ?This is part of a statewide effort to move people with brain injuries into communities to live more independently," said Maryann Hyatt, BCArc President and CEO. ?The list is long for individuals waiting for a residential program.

BCArc will continue to do its part to support people with brain injury.?

CEO Hyatt Appointed to Statewide Advocacy Board Maryann Hyatt, BCArc's President & CEO, has been appointed to the board of the statewide Association of Developmental Disabilities Providers, which serves to provide a unified voice to the Governor and other elected officials and policymakers

across Massachusetts.

"Berkshire County Arc has always advocated loudly for people with disabilities, as part of our mission," said Maryann. "Our staff are considered critical workers, and that status should be paid appropriately for the work they do. I look forward to working with my colleagues across the state to fight for these issues and more."

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BCArc Gives Thanks To Its Partners Berkshire County Arc could not succeed without its friends -- including financial support, attending events, employing individuals, volunteering, and more all keep BCArc moving forward.

Financial Literacy with Berkshire Bank

Thank You to Our Sponsors Berkshire Bank

Tatro Flooring

Sourcepass

Berkshire Mazda

Greylock Federal Credit Union

Complete Payroll Solutions

Health New England

Associated Electronic Mechanics

The Notch Insurance Partners

Berkshire Bank taught a series of financial literacy classes to individuals at the bank?s operational headquarters in Pittsfield, reviewing budgeting, understanding credit and debt, discussing financial security, and more. Student earned a certificate in financial literacy.

Yankee Candle

Mutual of America

Sherwin Williams

Advanced Manufacturing

LP Adams

BBE Office Interiors

UTCA

Lyon Aviation

Arrow Prescription Center

MacMillan Group MountainOne Pittsfield Co-op Bank

Barb Hassan Realty Saloomey Construction Courtney, Lee & Hamel

Staff, Community, CIVITAN Help Finance New Van for SDC Individuals at the Social Development Center now regularly engage in community activities, a result of $28,900 from the Foundation for Children with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities, $2,000 from the local Civitan Club, and the remaining from BCArc staff and community supporters for its Annual Campaign.

To support this year 's Annual Campaign, go to www.bcarc.org/donate.

Help BCArc's folks live their best lives possible.

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VISIONS VOLUME I, 2024

Un expect ed bu t Rew ar din g: How Am an da Fou n d Her Callin g as an Em ploym en t Tr ain er ?I never expected to work in this field, but I?ve found my niche.?

Amanda works in BCArc?s Employment Services department as an Employment Trainer. She has worked at many of BCArc?s employment sites ? overseeing individuals with disabilities employed by local businesses ? and is currently overseeing the team that works at Berkshire Mountain Lodge.

Amanda is responsible for overseeing the individuals while they work and helping them to stay on track and focused.

The individuals she works with at Berkshire Mountain Lodge are housekeepers, so she ensures that they are properly cleaning each room in the lodge. ?These guys brighten the day of everyone they meet,?

Amanda said. ?No matter how hard my day has been, they always make it better with the love and the fun that they have.?

The love that Amanda has for the individuals she works with is not one sided; they all had nothing but praise for her as well. One individual, Christina, said that Amanda is the best trainer she?s ever worked with. ?Amanda is so good to everybody,? Christina said. ?She?s loving and caring and makes sure that we get our work done. She?s like a sister to me.?

Sen. Mark and Sen. Kennedy Visit BCArc Staff and Programs State Sen. Paul Mark and State Sen. Robyn Kennedy, chairperson for the Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities, recently spent time visiting Berkshire County Arc?s programs and discussing shortand long-term plans for human services in Massachusetts. Both Senators demonstrate strong support for BCArc's mission.

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

@bcarcgram

BCArc's 29th Annual Golf Classic Registration Open at:

www.bcarc.org/golf

May 22, 2024 Berkshire Hills Country Club Feedback: Contact David Singer dsinger@bcarc.org