Visions March 24 Vol. 2

SproutFilmFestivalWarmsthe Heart,TacklesToughTopics

Morethan150 attend

Board of Directors

Mike Ferry, Chair

Michael Lyon, Vice Chair

Bruce Marzotto, Treasurer

Thomas J. Hamel, Esq., Assistant Treasurer

Dr. Mark Pettus, Clerk

70 Years Enriching Lives

We have one job to do here at Berkshire County Arc -- support individuals with disabilities That mission is focused, but to do it right -- provide rich lives with opportunities to feel fulfilled, and gain independence -- can be complex. BCArc is a large organization that faces all the challenges and opportunities any mission-driven large organization experiences -- whether for-profit or not-for-profit. Moving the Agency forward is critical. Staying still is not an option. Well into my second year as its leader, I am amazed at the pace of change in our

Board Members

Linda Carnevale

Kathy Clark

Douglas Craighead

Eric Harlow

Anthony Mazzeo

Bob Sinopoli

Joanne Spence

President & CEO

Maryann Hyatt

Contact Editor David Singer dsinger@bcarc.org

Assistant Editor Nicole Lemire nlemire@bcarc.org

work, and the need to stay agile as an Agency employing more than 750 staff and caring for 1,000 individuals with disabilities from Down Syndrome to brain injuries.

I am amazed at the pace of change in our work and the need to stay agile as an agency.

This year we celebrate BCArc’s 70th year of growth as a human services agency and as a community member. They are both connected and inherent to what we do. We will celebrate our seventh decade with a Gala on Sept. 19. Our staff is creating a float for the Pittsfield July 4 parade to recognize our hallmark year. We continue to create new programs, explore new initiatives, and embrace new technologies and advanced approaches to better support the people we serve Every corner of our Agency moves forward faster than ever Staff drive our changes We add new training programs as the times change. We are always improving our facilities, honing the programs we offer, and developing new programs.

Reaching milestone years forces you to look back at your own history. There are many lessons in BCArc’s history that teach us how to move forward, and I thank my predecessors for those lessons as BCArc begins to celebrate its 70th anniversary.

President & CEO

BCArc’s latest house, being built in Southampton, that will serve as a new home to five individuals with acquired brain injuries. These are often individuals on a waiting list living in a nursing home.

Employees of the Quarter - Quarter II, 2024

Staff members are nominated by their coworkers, and a committee selects the winners each quarter.

“New Genesis” Group Seeks to Impact Community

Three BCArc residential programs in South County participate in a group called “New Genesis” and routinely meet at St. Ann’s Church to scrapbook, play bingo, hold bake sales and potluck meals.

Comprised of residential programs West Lenox, Golden Hill, and Laurel -- they have helped the church with carnival tickets, tag sales, and raffle sales. They also sent presents to children overseas as part of “Operation Christmas Box.”

The Genesis mission is to provide opportunities for members to get together and positively impact the community.

Enjoying the Eclipse

Individuals and staff had a great -- and safe -time getting outside to watch the eclipse. Pictured are the ladies of the Valley Rd. residential program. They were one of numerous programs that took advantage of the orbiting phenomenon.

Keysa Santos-Delgado Community-Based Day Services

Renee Secord Residential

Patty Ferrari-Behan Community-Based Day Services

Nadjimou Geraldo Residential

Forming Connections, Spending Quality Time

Together: Why Outreach is Jason’s Dream Job

As the first full time outreach staff member, Jason Mach is a trailblazer at BCArc. Jason started at BCArc working in employment services but began picking up hours doing outreach shifts, and quickly realized that he had a passion for this work and wanted to make it a fulltime job.

“A big part of my job is being a good role model and a friend to someone who needs it. It’s bringing positivity and joy to an individual’s life.”

Jason has a caseload of 14 individuals who he meets with on a weekly or biweekly basis. He helps individuals to meet their goals and stay active within the community.

In addition to one-on-one outings, Jason also facilitates group outings which bring individuals together and can help them to form bonds with one another. Every Tuesday he brings out a group of guys to get dinner and see a movie at the Beacon Cinema, which has been very successful.

“The dinner and movie group has been an absolute hit and has brought together many new friendships and real meaningful, and lasting connections,” he said.

When thinking about the future, Jason hopes to continue doing outreach work for years to come. For him, the position is fun and enjoyable but also incredibly meaningful and rewarding.

Dalton Team Comes Together in Times of Grief

A residential program in Dalton helped two individuals recently pass as peacefully as possible in the same month. “Our team has become a family even more so after experiencing these challenges and losses,” said Kaitlyn, who oversees the house as a supervisor. The team is pictured wearing Beatles t-shirts to honor Genie, an individual who loved the Beatles. “We are so proud of this team,” said Kaitlyn. “Everything they’ve been through and how they came out on the other side stronger.”

From left: Bryce, Jordyn, Cassie, Lauryn, Kaitlyn, Amanda. Edie, sitting, lives in the house.

How Faith Helped Marek Through Struggles

Marek turned to his faith to help him overcome challenges in his life, including OCD, his temper, and the brain injury he experienced at age 17 while playing basketball. He grew up as a Baptist but did not practice for years -- he rediscovered his faith later on.

In college he studied Human Services and played tennis, but struggled academically. He lived in Nashville for several years working in restaurants and doing construction.

Marek loves listening to music, particularly movie soundtracks. His two favorites are the soundtracks from Secret of my Success and Top Gun. He also enjoys reading the Bible in his free time.

He has lived at a BCArc home for four years and has been attending the Brain Injury Community Center for two years. At the Center, each member performs daily chores -- Marek is the self-appointed bathroom cleaner.

“I don’t mind it,” he said. “It makes me feel productive.”

Betsy’s Corner: Puppy Love at CFD

At the end of last year, Otis, our therapy dog at the Center for Development, passed away and went to doggy heaven. Now we have a new therapy dog that visits us -- Milo. Although Otis is dearly missed, we are so in love with Milo! Milo is very friendly and cute. He is only six months old and he loves the training treats he gets when he is learning new tricks. Milo loves to jump on the Physical Therapy table

by Betsy Carlotto

and lay with us while we do our exercises and stretches. Milo makes everyone happy when he comes to visit. We will always remember and miss Otis, but we are lucky to have sweet Milo with us now!

Friends We Will Always Remember

3-6-24

Taking a Chance on BCArc

Chance only began working for BCArc in November but can already see a long career in human services ahead of him.

This is his first job working with individuals with disabilities, having previously worked in restaurants and as an eye doctor technician. His experiences with his uncle, who has a brain injury, inspired him to explore opportunities at BCArc.

Now working in a Pittsfield home supporting individuals with brain injuries, he uses his personal experience to better serve the individuals in the home.

“Some of these guys don’t have any family, so we are their family.”

“Some of these guys don’t have any family, so we are their family,” he said. “My favorite part of the job is getting to know everyone’s personalities and connecting with them.”

A day in Chance’s life consists of doing various tasks around the house including assisting with showers, doing laundry, preparing meals, cleaning, and spending time with the individuals.

“I love how happy the guys are to see me when I come in, especially if I haven’t seen them for longer than usual.”

Chance says that he spends a lot of his time working, often picking up additional shifts at another BCArc program. When he is off the clock, he spends time with his younger sister.

Christopher Wrenn

Eugenia Bogomolow

BCArc Team Strikes Success in Bowling Tournament

BCArc’s bowling team had a great showing in the winter Special Olympic games, which included two qualifier rouinds and the state tournament in Auburn.

Many individuals won medals for their scores, including Vicki (pictured right), who won her first 1st place medal. An avid bowler, Vicki, pictured right with Rob, came prepared with her own bowling ball and shoes. Chris, left, also bowled at a champion’s level.

The team will now set their sights on the spring Olympics in May. Great job everyone!

Heartwarming and Emotional Films

Highlight BCArc’s 14th Sprout Film Festival

More than 150 people came to the 14th Annual Sprout Film Festival. The free event featured short films that took on issues around romance, resilience, and parents describing to their children how they felt when they first learned about their child’s Down Syndrome. Lunch was provided for attendees, who stayed after to discuss the films with friends. The event was presented by BCArc and the Down Syndrome Family Group.

The Outreach Crew’s Latest Adventures

Members of BCArc’s outreach program have had a busy couple of months. The group has gone to a variety of different events including Disney on Ice, a Harlem Globetrotters game, a monster truck show, Highland Farms, and more.

Moving From China, Finding Stability at BCArc

Wendy has worked in the same residential program caring for the same individuals for more than 12 years.

Before that she managed a restaurant in Hangzhou, China, that had a staff of 500 people, 100 of them working in the kitchen. Despite years of experience managing large staff, Wendy insists that she could never leave the individuals she cares for at BCArc.

“I remember when I started at BCArc and my relationship with the ladies was a little rocky. But it has developed into a great relationship and we are a new family now.”

“I care for three of the ladies, and I care deeply about all of them,” she said about the Brain Injury program she works in. “I like to spend a lot of time with Michelle We work well together.”

Shiwen “Wendy” Kanel never planned to live in the United States. She describes her Chinese city as beautiful. Her husband, Chris, an engineer from New York, met her during a business trip. They had a language gap, but they talked for hours anyway, slow and laboriously, looking up words in their dictionaries during the conversations. Wendy eventually moved to the United States so they could be together. Her daughter came over at age 11, also without speaking English. Today, Wendy says proudly, her daughter was on honor roll every year in high school, graduated from college, is married and owns a restaurant on Long Island.

Wendy is settled now and feels at home in this life. She visits family in China every few years. “I remember when I started at BCArc and my relationship with the ladies was a little rocky. But it has developed into a great relationship and we are a new family now.”

Wild Findings: Artists Ring in Spring Season with CATA and Berkshire Botanical Art Exhibit

Artist Sam created the painting above as part of a CATA exhibit “Wild Findings” at the Berkshire Botanical Gardens. The exhibit, which ran through March, featured over 30 paintings, drawings, photographs, and collages inspired by nature.

Mayor Marchetti and BCArc Staff Share Visions & Plans

Pittsfield Mayor Peter Marchetti spent time with Berkshire County Arc, discussing challenges and opportunities with BCArc staff, and ways to work together to strengthen the community for everyone.

Several houses came together in Dalton to throw an 80s Karaoke party – singing, snacking, chatting together.

Two of the highlight performances were Rosie’s rendition of In the Air Tonight by Phil Collins and a group number of Don’t Stop Believing by Journey.

Eastern Mass Arc Visits BCArc to Learn, Share

A team from the Charles River Center, an Arc based in Needham that serves Middlesex and Norfolk counties, visited BCArc to learn more about the agency's services. The teams spent the day learning from one another how to better serve the disabilities population and to use one another as a resource going forward.

Leaders Recognized in BCC 40 Under 40

Congratulations to Berkshire County Arc's two winners recognized by Berkshire Community College’s 40 Under 40 Awards: Sonja Haecker, Executive Vice President, Scott Barschdorf, Director of Brain Injury Services Residential

Giving Back to BCArc

After Kim Campbell passed away earlier this year, her sister Kelly and Kelly’s family donated Kim’s wheelchair-accessible van to the BCArc program where Kim lived. “She received the best care at BCArc,” said Kelly, “made everlasting friendships with housemates and staff, and was given the opportunity to truly live her final years. We are very happy to give the van to BCArc for the people they care for.”

Out and About in the Community with Northview

The Northview program provides opportunities for members to enjoy staying active and engaging with the community. Below, members finished up a swimming session at the YMCA

and spent time with the lifeguard after. They also delivered gift baskets with cookies, games, and other goodies to the Pittsfield firefighters.

From left, Chris Melski, V.P. of Residential Services, sister Kelly, and Stephanie Kulzer, the site’s supervisor.