Volume 2, 2019
Legislative Breakfast Draws more than 300 - Page 5 Recognizing Employees- Page 2
Supporting people. Enriching lives.
VISIONS
BCArc Opens Northview Day Program Focused on Enriching Lives Through Community Engagement BCArc opened its newest program, a community-based day service, on Pittsfield's North Street to provide opportunities for individuals to engage in the community. The program is focused on helping individuals who work part-time, or are unemployed, and want more community oriented activities, and individuals moving toward retirement, or who are retired and want to remain active. ?We believe those we serve should fully participate in the community and have opportunities to share and contribute," said Kenneth Singer, BCArc's president and CEO. ?Our new program will create opportunities for our individuals to take on a variety of community roles ? working, volunteering, and enjoying the full range of activities ? that will lead to new relationships, new friendships, and new experiences.?
A few individuals helped clean the Common in downtown Pittsfield one spring afternoon. Program Director Jose Taveras is second from the right. Continued on page 7
Berkshire County Arc Family Support Conference Helps Families and Individuals Develop a "Vision for a Good Life" Information, advice, and passionate stories were shared by more than 100 families, providers, self-advocates and others at BCArc's 2019 Family Support Conference at the Country Club of Pittsfield. The conference, "Person-Centered Thinking: Caring about Your Family,? featured keynote speaker Sophia Johansson, who offered an overview of ?Charting the LifeCourse,? a framework to help families discover the elements needed to determine their own futures. Continued on page 7
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Letter from the President & CEO AT THE HEART OF BERKSHIRE COUNTY ARC: THE TALENTED STAFF The heart of any organization is its staff. At Berkshire County Arc, our staff surpass all expectations. They set their goals, achieve them, and take initiative. They support one another. They are experienced and confident. They make sound decisions and care deeply for the people they serve. The individuals and their families often tell me that BCArc staff are people they can trust. People work at BCArc because they see themselves as caretakers. They take care of people who need help. They chose this occupation, and they made the laudable commitment to stay in it because they love it. For some it?s a calling. For others it?s comfortable, like home. Different reasons motivate different people. The bottom line: they love their work and the individuals they serve. They do an amazing job and we are all fortunate to have them working at BCArc. These are particularly challenging times for BCArc staff, who often cover shifts for vacant positions. We are working hard to recruit additional talented staff . We have billboards, radio ads, TV ads, newspaper ads, and more. We recognize and value the extra efforts of our current staff, and are doing what we can to find them help. Meanwhile, a round of applause for our amazing staff.
Employee Promotions And New Hires Blan ca Du r an t - Promoted to VP of Finance
Joh n Beisch el - Hired as CPA, Accounting
Car olin e Eldr ed - Promoted to Nursing Supervisor
M ar cia Gr aves - Hired as Front Office Supervisor
Kyle Har vey - Promoted to Sr. Employment Manager
Scot t Gu llet t - Hired as Brain Injury Supervisor
Kat e Hood - Promoted to Nursing Supervisor
Ch r is Pelt ier - Hired as Clinical Director
Pam Kigh t - Promoted to Senior Program Manager, CBDS David Sin ger - Hired as Director of Marketing & Son ja St ew ar t - Promoted to Director of Family Support & Advocacy
Communications Ter r i St or k - Hired as HR Assistant, Westfield
Employees of the Quarter
Nicole Martin Assistant Site Manager West Street, Lenox
Raymond Drumm Family Support Individual Supports
Tanisha Harris-Yeboah Assistant Site Manager Southampton
Angela Raciti (left), R.N. Jill W ollins, Case Manager Adult Family Care
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BCArc Employee Graduates Berkshire Community College as Valedictorian BCArc employee Soncere ?Starr ? Williams graduated Berkshire Comm. College as its valedictorian this year. She has worked
Christine Ferrari Earns "Reach for the Stars" Award Congratulations to Christine Ferrari, Family Advocate, for winning this year ?s Reach for the Stars Award, presented to her by the Berkshire Area Citizen Advisory Board of the Mass. Dept. of Developmental Services.
in several capacities for BCArc over the years while pursuing her degree, and she plans to continue her career in human services while earning higher degrees. After 15 years working in retail in Albany, she joined BCArc where she has served many roles, including her current position in an overnight shift, while she continues her studies in social work.
Chief Operating Officer Maryann Hyatt Gets Statewide Human Service Forum (HSF) Award Maryann Hyatt, BCArc's Chief Operating Officer, received the HSF Esteemed Service Award for her leadership, mentoring, and lifelong commitment to human services.
25th Golf Classic Raises $56,000 MONEY TO FILL UNMET NEEDS OF INDIVIDUALS The Berkshire County Arc?s 25th Annual Golf Classic on May 23 drew 172 community members and raised a record $56,000 through sponsorships and donated auction items. The money will go directly to the people BCArc serves to fulfill unmet needs for the individuals, including clothing, vacations, dances, music classes, adaptive & therapeutic equipment, and family functions. The money also goes to scholarships awarded to high school graduates looking to pursue careers in human services. This year BCArc, along with the Down Syndrome Family Group, gave away more than $7,000 to area graduates. (see page 10) Corporate Sponsors Greylock Insurance, Health New England, and Berkshire Bank committed at the highest level, and some 70 area companies and supporters donated at a variety of levels. To date, the agency?s annual Golf Classic has raised more than $830,000 and awarded more than $100,000 in scholarships to graduating high school seniors.
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Spring Dinner Dance HOLIDAY INN -- PITTSFIELD
Family Support Spring Break Camp BERKSHIRE SOUTH -- GREAT BARRINGTON
Summer Games -- Boston HARVARD
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Legislative Breakfast Draws Lawmakers and 300 Attendees LOW WAGES AND STAFFING CITED AS CHIEF ISSUES The issues of staffing challenges and low wages were front and center at the 19th Annual Berkshire Legislative Breakfast, where nearly 300 people filled the room, along with the full legislative delegation for the Berkshire region on March 29. ?This region collaborates like no other region in the Commonwealth,? said State Representative Tricia Farley-Bouvier, noting the number of representatives from business, families, community organizations, and service providers. Because of this collaboration, ?every dollar spent out here is a dollar well spent.?
The panel, seated from left: Sen. Hinds, Rep. Pignatelli, Rep. Farley-Bouvier, and Rep. Mark.
State Representative William ?Smitty? Pignatelli called the event unexpectedly emotional, given the loss of his father a week before the event. ?My father served on the board of BCArc. He loved people with all different abilities. He loved BCArc, and he loved Ken Singer.? Singer, CEO and president of BCArc, moderated the event. Toni A. Wolf, Commissioner of the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC), told the crowd that the agency was committed to the region. After the breakfast, she spent her afternoon in the Berkshires touring BCArc residential homes, day programs, employment services, and BCArc?s mailhouse company Zip ?N Sort, staffed by people with disabilities. Along with comments from North Adams mayor Thomas Bernard, State Representative Paul Mark, and aides to U.S. Senator Warren and Congressman Markey, front-line service providers talked about the issues they faced, calling on the panel of lawmakers for action on behalf of people with disabilities.
MRC Commissioner Wolf, second from left, toured several BCArc facilities after the breakfast, including the Gamwell House. BCArc president & CEO Singer stands at the far right.
Marc Bourassa (BCArc), and Kim Baker, an employee of Berkshire Family and Individual Resources (BFAIR), spoke about the difficulty living with low salaries, forcing many staff to work two jobs and 16-hour workdays. ?This is as close to the definition of modern day indentured servitude as it gets,? said Marc.
Kenneth Singer, BCArc president, moderated the event.
The event was also presented by: Ad Lib, Inc.; Autism Connections; Baroco Corp.; BFAIR; BIA-MA; DDS; Goodwill Industries of the Berkshires; Guidewire, Inc.; Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts; MRC; ServiceNet; and United Cerebral Palsy of Berkshire County.
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Friends Remembered "You may be gone from our sight, but you are never gone from our hearts"
Thomas Liquori 5/24/1938
Juliette Zerbato 3/12/1924
4/11/2019
6/15/2019
Thomas Carey 10/16/1947
Lisa Jacobs 1/22/1970
Travis Weiss 10/26/1986
LouEllen Wilbur 7/9/1955
Dorothy Counter 10/21/1921
5/25/2019
3/2/2019
4/19/2019
3/2/2019
6/8/2019
Vice President Paul Gavrity to Retire after 32 Years of Service Paul Gavrity retired July 31, 2019, as Vice President of Administration & Employment Services after 32 years at BCArc. Among many responsibilities, he oversaw Employment Services, Zip ?N Sort Mail Services, the Staff Development & Training Department, and countless more small and large projects over the decades.
?We have come a long way from the time I started in 1986," he said. "Today our individuals are more accepted, and contribute as a vibrant part of the community.?
"Paul was critical in the development of BCArc,? said Kenneth W. Singer, president and CEO. ?His leadership, caring, and talent helped us reach the success we enjoy today. He will truly be missed."
"Paul has done so much for so many people. The impact of his work on the community will continue long after he stops working at BCArc,? Ken said.
Integrating people with disabilities into the community was a particular focus for Paul.
Paul serves on the Mass. Partnerships in Transition to Employment. He has served on the Board of the Center for EcoTechnology for 24 years and has been the Board Chair for the past 17 years. For 19 years he has volunteered as an adaptive ski instructor for Stride Adaptive Sports at Jiminy Peak.
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Northview Day Program Launches from Downtown Pittsfield Continued from page 1
Activities will help individuals develop an independent mindset and encourage decision making. Examples may include educational tours of a workplace, informational interviews, health and wellness programs, classes and workshops, travel training, skills classes, managing public transportation, and more. Often programs create segregated experiences for the participating individuals, and perpetuate the stigma the public attaches to people with disabilities. Goals of the program seek to: break down barriers with the public who have no experience with people with disabilities; elevate the comfort level of the public by debunking the myths through personal experiences; and create an atmosphere that empowers individuals. The Berkshires offer a wide range of activities that will help individuals in the program explore skills, which includes engaging with the colleges, government agencies, advocacy groups, museums, and much more, to develop communications skills and teamwork.
Family conference offers "Vision for a Good Life" Continued from page 1
?We think individuals and families of all abilities and all ages deserve to have rich, happy lives,? said Kenneth Singer, president and CEO of BCArc, ?and we wanted the day to help families set goals that can help them to achieve desired outcomes.? A series of workshops and a family panel during the day addressed topics that included: Charting the LifeCourse framework; mindful movement; Department of Developmental Services 101; How to tell your story; and more. Presenters included practitioners, program managers, representatives from the Commonwealth, a self-advocate, and family members. A panel of family members, including individuals with disabilities, presented snapshots of each of their journeys in supporting family members or themselves. The panelists were: Maren Jacobs (mother); Robert Perkins (self-advocate); Gerry Hurley (mother); Lindy Haczela (mother); Nancy Burt (mother); and Rebecca Harrington (sister).
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Betsy's Corner BY BETSY CARLOTTO
Betsy Carlotto
On May 1st, individuals and staff from the Center for Development (CFD) traveled to Monument Mountain High School for the Special Olympics Track event. Many people were there despite the rainy, cold weather. Our individuals participated in running, walking, assisted walking, and wheelchair races. Everyone who attended also had the opportunity to participate in the softball throw. Many of our family members, care providers, and residential staff came to support our athletes at the field! The joy this event brings to everyone is priceless. Every year CFD has a tradition where we go back to the center after the races and have a well-deserved pizza party for the rest of the afternoon. ?It?s the perfect way to end the day!?
Monument Games MONUMENT MOUNTAIN HIGH SCHOOL-GREAT BARRINGTON
Givebacks ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE...
Individuals bought food and delivered them to the families of the Conte Community School.
To celebrate Memorial Day, individuals made cards and donated baked goods for the veterans at Soldier On.
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12th Annual Sprout Film Festival INSPIRING AUDIENCES The 12th Sprout Film Festival tackled a range of issues in its 10 short films that played at Berkshire Community College. Presented by the BCArc Down Syndrome Family Group, the films explored the victories and emotions experienced by individuals with disabilities. A reception followed the film and featured a photo and art exhibit from local artists with disabilities. Proceeds supported Berkshire County residents with and impacted by Down syndrome.
President Kenneth Singer (from left), with DSFG family member Stephen Narey, SPROUT Executive Director Anthony Di Salvo, and Christine Ferrari, Family Advocate.
BCArc Opens New Brain Injury Home in Southwick BERSKHIRE COUNTY ARC'S 14TH BI PROGRAM BCArc?s Brain Injury Services opened its 14th home with the 15th program opening in August. These programs support 57 individuals with Brain Injury and employ over 200 full-time staff. The programs benefit the Berkshire and Hampden County economies, and provide opportunities for individuals to receive support services in their own communities. Services include comprehensive medical care and full support to access the world around them. The new program in Southwick will support four individuals. The three individuals who have already moved in feel overwhelmed with happiness to be in their new home! One individual in particular has already made significant improvements as a direct result of the move and has a renewed outlook on life. - by Amber Steele
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Star Students Awarded Scholarships
Kailey Su lt air e
Alyson Kalisz
Han n ah Robin s
Alisa M ar r a
Em m a M ar in o M adelyn Wen dlin g
Congratulations to our six scholarship recipients, who each received between $1,000 and $2,000 for college costs for their exemplary work with individuals with disabilities and their intent on pursuing careers in human services.
Alisa M ar r a, Wah con ah High Sch ool, is a fierce advocate of inclusion, with two brothers with disabilities. "I always wanted my brothers and their friends to feel included." She will study education and special education at Oklahoma Baptist University.
Kailey Su lt air e, Tacon ic High , calls her time helping a young student with autism "a life- changing experience." She is also interested in the foster care system for children. She will attend Simmons University for social work and pre-law.
Em m a M ar in o, M cCan n Tech , plans to become a lawyer to fight for people with disabilities. "My experience with individuals with disabilities has allowed me to become a better, honest and open-minded person.? She will attend Assumption College.
Alyson Kalisz, Hoosac Valley, is a relief worker for BCArc. ?Working with individuals with disabilities has really opened my eyes. I?ve realized how great life is.? She plans to pursue nursing through Berkshire Community College.
M adelyn Wen dlin g, Wah con ah High Sch ool, volunteers in numerous community events, and babysits for two families who each have a child with a disability. She will attend Endicott College to study elementary education.
Han n ah Robin s, Wah con ah High Sch ool, volunteers extensively in the community, with a focus on helping people with disabilities. She served as captain of an inclusive, unified track team that won Western Mass and reached the finals in the state championships. She will attend Westfield State University to teach special education.
Funds for the scholarships were raised through Berkshire County Arc's Annual Golf Classic and the Berkshire County Arc Down Syndrome Family Group. Sultaire?s scholarship is the Eighth Annual Carol Craighead Memorial Scholarship Award.
BCArc Staff Rallies Lawmakers at Caring Force Event
BCArc staff joined the statewide Caring Force at the State House in Boston, visiting the elected officials of Western Massachusetts to advocate for fair pay for jobs that require the skills, commitment and compassion to provide essential care for others. BCArc?s own Marc Bourassa delivered a great speech to the crowd.
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Spotlight on Kathy Luscier, Zip 'N Sort Mail Services Kathy Luscier has been working at Zip 'N Sort since 2004. When asked what she likes best about coming to the Zip office, she replied, ?The friends I have made and the work that I do.? Kathy works on the PJLibrary team assembling story books for grades 6, 7, and 8, which totals 96,000 books a month. When not working for her clients at Zip 'N Sort, she likes to dine out. Her favorite place to eat is Bob?s Country Kitchen, where she sometimes treats her best friend Pam. Her favorite meal there? The fried chicken, of course. - by Beth Hahn
Betty Ann Marshall Retires from Employment Services If you see this lovely lady out and about with Northview, give her a big congratulations on her retirement. Betty Ann Marshall, who started working with BCArc Employment Services in 1991 (then AEN), recently retired. She worked a variety of occupations. She started as a bed maker in a local nursing home, she worked as a housekeeper at the Crowne Plaza, a custodian at Berkshire South Community Center, before spending almost a decade with Marian Fathers. Betty Ann has always been a strong, reliable staff member but is probably best known for her contagious smile, sense of humor, and strong work ethic. She is now attending and enjoying BCArc's new community-based day service, Northview. - by Regan Tyer
BCArc's Newest Family Member Meet Kashess Caldwell, daughter of Assistant Site Manager Tatianna Williams,
She was born Sept. 5, 2018, 4 pounds,13 ounces.
"Concentrate on things your disability doesn't prevent you doing well, and don't regret the things it interferes with." --Stephen Hawking
Non-Profit Org. USPostage Paid Pittsfield, MA Permit No. 121
SAVE THE DATE 13t h An n u al Bu ddy Walk -- Sept em ber 28, 2019 Regist er On lin e: h t t p:/ / bit .ly/ Bu ddyWalk Sept em ber 2019 We like hearing from you. Submit your story to dsinger@bcarc.org and you could be featured in the next Visions.