Visions Volume 3 2022

VISIONS

Buddy Walk, Live Again, Draws Over 700 Under Blue Skies

More than 700 people came to walk, support, and celebrate Down Syndrome awareness at the 16th Buddy Walk. The Sept. 24 BCArc Down Syndrome Family Group event was live again, and energized by a bright blue sky, and a community happy to gather in person once again. BCArc thanks its many sponsors, the town of Dalton, and all the walkers and volunteers.

Board of Directors

Mike Ferry, Chair

Mike 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

CEO

Kenneth Singer

President Maryann Hyatt

Community Partners Make BCArc Stronger

BCArc thrives because it enjoys tremendous support from its community. For more than 60 years organizations, businesses, government agencies, and residents of Western Mass have helped strengthen and grow BCArc.

Our programs depend on community partners. The individuals we serve work as employees with area businesses; they volunteer with community services. Every day they engage in the community in some form. Volunteers take them to plays, concerts, and sporting events. And our partners provide the financial support that lead to new opportunities and experiences.

During the tough COVID days, staff and the individuals we serve spent time inside, staying safe. When programs opened up, we again realized how critical our partners are, and their role in enriching the lives of the individuals at BCArc. Community engagement is integrated with everything we do at BCArc. And because of the support we receive, the opportunities are boundless. Thank you.

Maryann Hyatt President

Employees of the Quarter -- Quarter III, 2022

Seven staff members, nominated by their coworkers for their work in the past quarter, were recognized as Employees of the Quarter. Not pictured is Milan Bile, a direct care worker.

Latasha Brown Young Relief Christopher Carrigan Zip 'N Sort

KathyBradley Hab Specialist - SDC

Deb Wagner FamilySupport

Kristen Myers Clinical Supervisor

Madison Curtin Accounting

Citizen Advocates Forge Genuine Friendships Between Volunteers and Individuals

By Nicole Lemire

BCArc?s Citizen Advocacy Program provides an opportunity for community members to volunteer and form a bond with BCArc individuals.

?My favorite part of this experience has been having another friend,?said Blanca Durant, BCArc's Chief Financial Officer, who has developed a strong bond with Margaret since they were matched five years ago. ?It?s enjoyable, there?s no pressure. I like when my husband joins us sometimes.?

?I love how much Debbie enjoys spending time with me,?said Theresa White, an advocate who is a BCArc residential site manager. ?She always calls me at work to ask when we can hang out again, or just to tell me what she has going on for the day.?

Pairs are matched based on similar interests, hobbies, and availability. It is a flexible program which requires meeting only once per month. The duo can take part in any activity that interests them.

Blanca encourages others to join, noting, ?If you do it a few times, you get hooked. I wish I had the time to do it more often, to be honest.?

The program is always looking for more volunteers, as they have a waiting list of individuals who would like to be assigned an advocate. If interested, contact Chris Ferrari, 413-464-7262, ext.11.

Kate Hood, R.N., Retires

After 34 Years at BCArc

Kate Hood has provided health care guidance for the Agency for 34 years, including serving as Co-Supervisor of Nursing through the COVID pandemic.

"Her expertise, her experience, and her instincts have helped the Agency through many situations," said Maryann Hyatt, BCArc's president. "All told, she's probably kept hundreds -thousands -- of us healthy for years. We will miss her dearly, and wish her the best."

Justin's Work, with Art of Other Individuals, Hung at the Clark

Justin poses next to his painting at The Lichtenstein Center for the Arts. Several BCArc individuals took part in the Community Access to the Arts' annual art show, which displayed at The Clark and The Lichtenstein Center for the Arts throughout the summer.

Margaret, left, with her advocate Blanca.

Melanie Achieves Brown Belt With Black Tips -- Next Step is Black Belt

By Nicole Lemire

Melanie recently earned her brown belt with black tips.

She said that she initially started karate 10 years ago as a way to get some exercise while having fun, and it soon became something that she loved to do.

To receive her black tips -- moving her up from the basic brown belt -- Melanie completed the Shinkoukei test of knowledge, which she passed with flying colors.

Her favorite part of practicing karate is spending time with her sensei, Sensei Liskin. She takes part in Sensei Liskin?s class three times a week at Elm St. Martial Arts in Pittsfield.

To receive her black tips -- moving her up from the basic brown belt -- Melanie completed the Shinkoukei test of knowledge, which she passed with flying colors.

?It?s awesome, and we?re all so proud of her,?said Christina, the Site Manager where Melanie lives. ?Melanie missed classes for a year because of the pandemic, and once she started again, she picked right back up into her practice. She didn?t miss a beat.?

Melanie?s next goal is to earn her black belt, the most advanced level for karate.

After Day Hab, Eric Keeps the Day Going

Eric has boundless energy. When he returns home to West Street after a day of activities at the Crossroads Center for Enrichment, he spins a few records to relax, checks the mail for the house each day, and plays baseball on his homemade diamond in the backyard.

Betsy's Corner: Open Air Model at CFD Finally Returns

By Betsy Carlotto with Nhi Ricchi

The day we all have been waiting for is finally here! Our day program, the Center for Development, has officially returned to ?Open Air Model.?For the last two years we have been staying in the same groups of people and doing everything in our pod room. We were sticking together to be safe from COVID. Open Air Model means we are free to go to different activities throughout the building, spend time with different friends,

and have opportunities to make choices about our day. Now a typical day at CFD starts with coffee hour on the main floor -- coffee or tea with our friends as people are coming in for the day. We then have a quick morning meeting where we are told about the different activity choices we have during electives. We break up into our normal pods and work hard on our goals. Then it is time for fun. We usually have three or four activities during electives that we can choose from. Some examples are: cooking, arts & crafts, yoga, walking club, sports, physical games, sign language, karaoke, brain games, Shake Your Soul, Mark?s music, and more! Then we have lunch with different friends and choose two more electives before we return back to pod to finish up the day. There is always so much to do now, it?s hard to decide.

To celebrate Open Air, we had Silly September -- themed dress-up days where we enjoyed fun activities and snacks according to the theme. I couldn?t be happier to have all this excitement back!

"I couldn?t be happier to have all this excitement back!"

Summer Series Scores for Students & Families

BCArc's annual Summer Event Series took individuals to karate classes, swimming at Berkshire South, boxing at Miner Combat, and water color art classes at CATA, to name a few activities.

"The summer series gave individuals another path to be social, learn new skills, and have fun, while their families gained some respite time," said Sonja Stewart, Vice President of Community Services. BCArc thanks Lee Bank for funding portions of the program.

Big YNames Shannon Star of the Month

For the past 14 years Shannon has been a familiar face to customers at Big Y, bagging their groceries, bringing their purchases to their cars, and providing overall excellent customer service.

The store stated: ?Shannon received this well-deserved recognition for her excellent customer service and continued commitment to Big Y. We are proud to have her as part of our team!?

Phil Cormier

6-18-59 8-21-22

GaryGionet 5-18-63 9-23-22

BoardMemberDebJarckPassesAway

Debra Ann Jarck passed away unexpectedly on July 21, 2022, at Albany Medical Center. Debra served BCArc for more than 30 years ? she was a longtime board member, a Vice Chair of the Board of Directors, and a generous donor. ?Her expertise as a professional nurse, and her commitment to help people, provided us with unique guidance. She was a dear friend of BCArc, and a personal friend to so many of us,? said Ken Singer, BCArc?s CEO.

Deb Jarck

6-5-58 to 7-21-22

An Anniversary Note: One BCArc Staff Member to Another

Rachael has been with BCArc for seven years, working both residential and day programs. Rachael takes pride in the work she does and the people she takes care of. To her the individuals are not just people, they are family. She makes sure that everyone is being treated right and are healthy. She enjoys working on holidays to help make their day special. When she works she makes sure that they are happy.

She is also going to school to become an RN. When she isn?t working or at school, she is busy being a mom to our baby Nikolai and seven-year-old Jayden.

Rachael introduced me to BCArc, otherwise I would have never seen myself working with people with disabilities. I am so happy she pushed me to try something new. I found my calling, I love what I do, so much that I am going to school to get my degree in Human Services.

So thank you Rachael. Not only for being my person and loving me but helping me grow and build this life!

- written by Alisha (Alisha and Rachael havebeen married for threeyears)

A BCArc House Divided: Yanks v Sox

Roxy and Brooke had a great time with Joe Pete at Fenway Park in September watching Yankees play Red Sox. Joe Pete holds a foul ball given to him by a Yankee fan.

Individuals Celebrate Summer with Swimming, Dance & Food at Picnic

Individuals and staff danced, swam, played games and feasted at the Residential Picnic at Camp Stevenson in August. Friends were united, friendships were rekindled, and staff joined the excitement.

What's On My Mind . . . by Latasha Brown Young

I am a Relief staff. But when I walk through BCArc doors I am All Staff.

When I come to work and look up at the individuals smiling because I did something extra for them, it makes it worth it.

If they are blind, do you know how they appreciate smelling the change of seasons, or feeling the grass?Those who are deaf appreciate sitting in the park looking at the people go by or seeing the kids play.

Some have no family visitors. We are their family. Some never get out themselves. So we take them for a ride.

Would you like a fresh hair cut?Some would like one but can't communicate this to staff.

Everyone is not built to love others unconditionally.

But the people we support depend on people like me.

I just wanted to speak my mind, since I can.

BCArc Intern Experience Helps Affirm Career Choices

By Nicole Lemire

I spent my summer interning for BCArc's Marketing Department, an opportunity I discovered through Lever's Berkshire Interns program. Lever allows college students to take part in a 10 week internship with local businesses. My friend Domenica Gomez, both of us seniors at MCLA, interned at BCArc's Advocacy & Family Support Program.

Domenica worked at the community-based programs Transitions and Northview. She helped individuals meditate, practice social skills, manage money, make art, and more.

As Marketing Intern, I helped write stories for the BCArc website, designed the quarterly newsletter (this issue), helped with the golf tournament, took photos, and many other tasks.

NicoleLemire(left) and Domenica Gomez at theBerkshireInternsaward night banquet, a program byLever.

"The individuals that I worked with taught me that it is never too late to pursue your passions and try new hobbies," Domenica said.

Domenica will continue as a seasonal staff member during school breaks; I will work part-time at BCArc as Marketing and Communications Specialist during my senior year of college.

Thankyou Bloom Brothers, theLenox HousingAuthority, and theMass. Dept. of Developmental Servicesfor themoneyto provide needed back-up power to oneof BCArc'sresidential programs.

BCArc's Annual Golf Classic Supporters Raise $46,000

BCArc held its 27th Golf Classic at Berkshire Hills this summer -- 160 golfers had a full day of 18 holes of golf, lunch, dinner, awards, raffles, and prizes. The event raised $46,000.

All proceeds go directly towards the individuals BCArc serves. A committee receives requests from the individuals through the year that include items like art classes, concerts, dance lessons, medical equipment, wheelchair swings and more.

Corporate Sponsors made it possible, and included: Berkshire Bank, Greylock Federal Credit Union, Health New England, Compuworks, and Notch Insurance Partners. BCArc thanks all its sponsors -dozens of generous partners that support the mission of BCArc year after year.

BCArc Named Area's 5th Best Company to Work for Based on Financial Health, Diversity, & More

Based on salary data, financial health, and employee diversity, Zippia named BCArc 5th on its list of "best companies to work for" in the Berkshires.

Zippia, a San Francisco company, describes its mission as: "[E]mpower people with the information and tools to achieve their career aspirations."

Non-Profit

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