Visions June 2023 Vol. 2

VISIONS

Dinner Dance Returns ? Individuals Cut Loose

This year's Spring Dinner Dance returned for the first time since COVID. The hall sparked with well-dressed, excited individuals who danced, socialized, and enjoyed good food and good friends.

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

Finding Small Moments to Celebrate is Critical

Rewards come in many forms at BCArc, and it's important we recognize them. But we do not get to rest on our laurels for long. We celebrate, appreciate one another, and get back to work because people depend on our support 24/7, seven days a week.

This year we were fortunate to end our fiscal year with a financial reward to our staff. People work at BCArc for many different reasons, but primarily because they are caretakers -they help others at work and outside work. This is what they do. But they also deserve to get paid for their hard work and inherent compassion. They deserve a pay rate more than a career in human services offers (we take this fight to the state throughout the year -- see page 8).

Our staff will continue to provide great care for the individuals we serve ?that?s who they are ?- and we will continue to do everything we can to pay them what they deserve. Thank you to our friends and families in the community who support us through the year. We can't do this without you.

Employees of the Quarter -- Quarter II, 2023

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

DanielleWalker BI ServicesRelief

ElvisBenle DDSResidential Services

Jessica Mullaly BI Residential Services

TheMaintenanceDepartment:From left, Michael Smith, Lori Moore, SalvatoreRimauro, ShaneHarrington, Robert Alger, and AndyKelly.

Maryann Hyatt President & CEO

Annual Meeting Celebrates Individual & Staff Achievements

BCArc celebrated the accomplishments of staff members and the individuals they serve for self-advocacy, employment achievements, and other areas of growth at its annual meeting at the Berkshire Hills Country Club on June 16 in front of more than 250 people.

?I look out and see overwhelming support in this room," said Maryann Hyatt, President & CEO. Hyatt, with Board Chair Michael Ferry, announced the following awards:.

Individual Awards

- Achievement Awards - Patricia Butler, Robert Day, Daniel Connors

- Achievement in Personal Growth Awards - Gloria Hunt, Eric Karlin

- Work Achievement Award - Justin Abbott

- Self Advocate of the Year Awards - Maria Cardeno and Victoria Provencher

- Citizenship Awards - Ricky Ostellino and Alan Zurlino

Staff Awards

- BCArc Employee of the Year - Tracey Babcock

- Carol Craighead Mission Award - Michelle McKeon

- Debra Jarck Ambassador Award - Cecelia Schnopp

- Administrative Employee of the Year Award - Tammy Walger

TraceyBabcock, Employeeof theYear, selected from 740 employees. Left, Maryann Hyatt, President & CEO;Michael Ferry, Board Chair.

- Outstanding Nursing Employee - Sharon Ireland

- Outstanding Employment Services and CBDSEmployee - Alex Daley

- Outstanding DDSResidential Services Employee - Joseph Nyamekeh

- Outstanding Family Support/Advocacy Employee - Cody Ciepiela

- Outstanding Day Program Employee - Bryce Solomon

- Citizen Advocate of the YearVictoria Gritman

- Employer of the Year - Drury High School

- Business Partner of the YearOrion Magazine

Hyatt also recognized Janet Newberry for 35 years of service, Laurianne Bigelow for 30 years of service, and employees who reached milestones of 10, 15, 20, and 25 years at BCArc.

Cesar Settles in at His New Home

Cesar recently moved into a new BCArc residence and settled in quickly. He loves to play basketball with staff, talk on the phone with family members, and relax with video games. The site manager of the home called Cesar a fun, active addition to the program.

Welcome to your new home, Cesar!

Celebrating Pride Month at the BCArc Booth

Individuals and staff came out to support the BCArc booth for Pride Day at events in Pittsfield and Springfield. Kids made beaded necklaces and played cornhole, while paraders stopped by to show their support -- some applied for open positions at BCArc. The festivities were to celebrate Pride Month and show support to members of the LGBTQ+ community.

BCArc Athletes Compete and Bring Home the Gold at Special Olympics

Many individuals took part in this year's Special Olympics and competed for medals in a variety of sports. Congratulations to all of our BCArc athletes -- and their superfans -- on a job well done!

Note from a Family Member: Thank You Staff

The lovely lady pictured here is my Aunt Madeline, my mom's 86-year-old "baby" sister! Madeline, who lives in a beautiful group home in Pittsfield, is developmentally disabled but nothing stops her, especially when one of the best caretakers ever decides to take her on a fantastic vacation. Roxy and Madeline went to Foxwoods where Madeline enjoyed hotel life and won over $19.00! She bowled, visited the aquarium, went sightseeing and met me for lunch!

Many thanks to Roxy for her kindness, care, and hours of driving to give Madeline every opportunity to get out and do cool stuff! Also, thank you to all the staff at Sampson House and to BCArc for allowing opportunities like this to happen and for giving Madeline the quality of life she deserves.

- Madeline's niece, Shari

Ed Turns 85

Ed celebrated his 85th birthday with his friends, and his special friend Tina who came over to celebrate.

Ed has been celebrating birthdays with BCArc for more than 50 years. Happy Birthday Ed!

BCArc Names 3 New Supervisors

Berkshire County Arc has promoted Jennifer Newell to Supervisor of Developmental Disability Residential Services, Stephanie Kulzer to Supervisor of Brain Injury Residential Services, and Melissa Garwacki to Supervisor of Brain Injury Residential Services.

Jennifer started working at BCArc 25 years ago. In this new position, she will oversee four BCArc residences, as well as shared living providers. Stephanie began working at BCArc four years ago, while Melissa started six years ago. They will each oversee four BCArc brain injury residential programs in the Pioneer Valley.

Roxy, left, with Madeline

Jennifer

Melissa Stephanie

Transitioning after High School ? Michael?s Story

Transitional moments in life can be hard. When Michael graduated Lee High School, he did not look back. But while Michael looked forward to whatever was next, his mother, like many mothers, was nervous about his future.

Today he is thriving. He participates at ExtraSpecialTeas, a program that provides employment on weekdays, but also activities like dance, drumming, art, and life skill lessons with community outings.

Michael?s interests are wide ranging, but if he had to pick one, he?d go with music. ?I love music, I listen to all types,?he says, naming favorites like Elvis Presley, ABBA, and, Metallica. Through the Adult Family Care program, BCArc provides support to the family -- nursing , community networking, a stipend for support, and more. Michael likes to attend BCArc events, like the dances. ?We love having him home. He is doing great,?says Michael's mother Letitia. ?He?s making new friends and loves his daytime program. Some day he will have to move out. We know that. Like most young men, he wants space and freedom. But he will always need care. He could move out in six months or six years. We are all taking it one day at a time. And every day I feel lucky to have him around."

Michael likesto fish and hunt with his dad.

Michael with hisfamily.

Maryellen Midghall

Betsy's Corner: A Day in the Leaf at CFD's New Garden

by Betsy Carlotto

We started a garden project at the Center for Development this summer through a collaboration between Mary Deyo, SLP, Zmara Harrison, Elms College student, and Deb Caiola, CFD program director. Our goal is to build communication skills in a natural setting. We planted two beds with the help of staff Mary Stalker. One has vegetables and one has herbs and flowers. We also planted tomatoes and sunflowers in pots. Clarks Garden Center donated some of our plants. We have our group every week, and each time we go outside we check on the plants and see what they need. We can?t wait to eat what we grow!

BCArc Travels to Boston to Fight for Higher Staff Pay

Two BCArc groups separately visited the State House in Boston to meet with senators and representatives to advocate for human service workers. The bills BCArc advocated for were related to higher pay and student loan forgiveness for employees.

Staff members shared their personal experiences with the lawmakers and why passing these bills would positively impact BCArc -- the bills, if passed, would attract more people to work at BCArc and create a more knowledgeable work force to better care for the individuals BCArc serves. The lawmakers expressed support for these initiatives.

Sharing Stories, Chatting ? Theme of the Spicy Cougars

Spending time together, talking about women?s issues, supporting each other, and having a good time. The ladies in the Pioneer Valley have made a conscious effort to get together and check in on each other while enjoying the conversation and good company.

Nicholson Hill Holds Car Wash

Fundraiser for Aquarium Trip

Nicholson Hill held a car wash to raise money for their trip to the Aquarium. All the individuals of the house plan to take a summer trip, have lunch and ice cream. Congratulations to site manager John and the team for taking charge of their plans and efforts!

Individuals Shine in "Finding New Rhythms" Performance

BCArc individuals performed in the Community Access to the Arts annual performance titled "Finding New Rhythms" at Shakespeare & Company in Lenox. The show celebrated artists with disabilities.

BCArc Awards Scholarships to Nine Local High School Graduates Pursuing Higher Education in Human Services

Berkshire County Arc, along with BCArc?s Down Syndrome Family Group, awarded scholarship funding to nine recent Berkshire County high school graduates who plan to pursue the field of human services in college. Award winners are selected based on their prior involvement with individuals with disabilities, the potential to contribute to the field of human services, and academic achievement. More than $120,000 has been given over the years, a result of fundraising activity led by the Agency.

Randi Duquette Pittsfield

Ella Kelly Lenox

Brody Kaley Wahconah

Lily de Movellan Monument Mountain

Kiera Devine Pittsfield

Carol Craighead Memorial Scholarship Recipient

Olivia Lovieno Wahconah

Paige Trager Wahconah

Bethany Iffetayo Pittsfield

Tiffin Martin Taconic Deb JarckMemorial Scholarship Award Recipient

Knitting Craze at Northview, Thanks to New Loom

A tiny loom, a device which helps to make knitting easier, was recently donated to Northview. Individuals at Northview went to the library to learn more about how to use it. Since then they have knitted a number of items.

Charles is Ready to Race The BICC's Latest Adventure

Charles will be competing in a 5k race with his niece this fall, and has been getting fitted for the right racing chair. We will report back with training progress and race results.

The Brain injury Community Center members recently enjoyed fun days of cycling around town, eating pizza, and playing mini golf. Sounds like a great time!