Visions Vol. 4 2025 by BCArc1

VISIONS

Championing Growth & New Chapters

Board of Directors

Mike Ferry, Chair

Michael Lyon, Vice Chair

Bruce Marzotto, Treasurer

Thomas J. Hamel, Esq.,

Assistant Treasurer

Joanne Spence, Clerk

Why An Arc?

Since our inception in 1954, Berkshire County Arc has been part of the national Arc network, which includes 18 chapters in Massachusetts, and more than 600 chapters across the country.

These are the people who helped move the disabilities population from institutions to the community. This is the organization who went to the courts to secure the right to a public education for children with disabilities. The Arcs also helped pass the Americans with Disabilities Act legislation.

Board Members

Linda Carnevale

Kathy Clark

Douglas Craighead

Eric Harlow

Anthony Mazzeo

Bob Sinopoli

Dr. Paula Blagg

President & CEO

Maryann Hyatt, MBA, DBA

Much of these accomplishments are now part of our communities. We expect a ramp at the doctor’s office, and assume all children can go to school. But, as a speaker at the recent national Arc conference made clear, there are always forces out there looking to roll back the clock.

Fortunately, no one fights like a parent, another speaker at the conference said. Parents made all this happen in every state, including our Commonwealth. Parents created the Arcs.

Beyond social and legislative advocacy, belonging to the Arcs provides a support system for operating at the highest level. We talk often. We share ideas and resources, we advocate as a group, and we mentor one another.

Much of these accomplishments are now part of our communities. We expect a ramp at the doctor’s office, and assume all children can go to school.

The directors of the various programs also collaborate, including training departments, human resources, residential programs, marketing, and so on. And while we all operate independently with our own CEOs, Boards, leadership teams, and budgets, we do not compete. In fact, we do the opposite –we are eager to help every chapter succeed.

It wasn’t that long ago when public events – from theater to sports – did not have to accommodate a person with physical challenges, or school districts were allowed to prevent children from an education. This impacts 15% of the population, not to mention their families.

Contact

Editor: David Singer

dsinger@bcarc.org

Assistant Editor: Nicole Lemire nlemire@bcarc.org

The Arc is a village to change the world, said one person at the recent annual conference. While the BCArc family achieves at an impressive level on its own, it is always better to be part of a larger village.

Maryann Hyatt, MBA, DBA President & CEO

Employees of the Quarter - Quarter III & IV, 2025

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

Quarter III, 2025

Quarter IV, 2025

Courtney Guthrie Employment Specialist

Roberta Kaufer RN

Eva Myers Family Support

Angel Tshibuabua Residential

Patrick Terpak Residential

Chris Baran Maintenance

Citizen Ackah Residential

Koffi Brou Residential

Madison Corkery Center for Development

Jamie Carpenter Site Manager

Benjamin Green Training

Kimberly Bernardo Residential

Nii Ayi Ankrah Residential

Crystal Hewes Residential

Kristina Mensah Residential

Nicole Russo Case Manager

Paul Ruda Site Manager

Heidi Bannish Residential

BCArc Annual Meeting Elects Board and Announces 2025 Employee of the Year Among 860 Staff

Shiwen “Wendy” Kanel (pictured right), accepted the Employee of the Year award at BCArc’s Annual Dinner Meeting, which featured a keynote speech from Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier, and recognized other staff and individual achievement awards.

Wendy has worked the same shift for 14 years at a house supporting a group of ladies each with a brain injury, where she arranges all their medical appointments, transports them, advocates for them, tracks their progress and follows-up for each of them.

“Even with my accent, we have a unique understanding of each other,” said Wendy about the individuals she supports.

Individual Awards

Work Achievement Award – Gus Gundlach

Work Achievement Award – Bruce Stiles

Personal Achievement Award – Jill Reed

Personal Achievement Award – Cesar Martinez

Community Achievement Award –Katherine Butler

Community Achievement Award – Rosemarie Tessier

Staff Awards

Employee of the Year – Shiwen “Wendy” Kanel

Carol Craighead Mission Award – Nicole Negri

Debra Jarck Advocacy Award – Sharon Johnson Partner Award

Innovative Business Partner of the Year — The Notch Insurance Partners

Respite House: Providing Support for Caregivers & Individuals

BCArc’s Respite House provides a break for family members while at the same time enhancing community opportunities for their loved one.

Matthew (pictured below), recently celebrated his 41st birthday in the Respite House. He lives at home with family but enjoys these stays at the Respite House, with staff in the home describing him as fun-loving and energetic during his visits. For more information about how to get involved with BCArc’s Respite Services, contact LaSheika Moody, Director of Family Support at lmoody@bcarc.org or 413-464-7262 x188.

Celebrating Growth at Transitions’ Moving Up Ceremony

BCArc hosted a Moving Up Ceremony championing 19 individuals who have made tremendous progress at the Transitions program for young adults. The graduates are moving on to new opportunities including employment and new day programs. Congratulations to all the graduates!

Bottom

from

Malika Boiret, Katlin

Maria Cardeno, Christina Buffi, Alexander Pettus, Isabella Carey, Ryan Schwendenmann Also graduated, see page one: Timothy Franchere, Robert Perkins, Jeffrey Kane, Christopher Morin Also graduated, not pictured: Nathaniel Lemoine, Benjamin Nguyen, Matthew Arseneau, Samuel Guy

Hundreds Rally for Down Syndrome Awareness at

19th Annual Buddy Walk of the Berkshires

Hundreds of staff, individuals, volunteers, and community members gathered for the 19th Annual Buddy Walk of the Berkshires, hosted by BCArc and the BCArc Down Syndrome Family Group. The event was held at Craneville Elementary School in Dalton to raise Down Syndrome Awareness, celebrate, share stories, and enjoy the day together.

Top row,

left: Samuel Gogel,

Huffman, Molly Stark, Robert Warner, Charles Ferry

row,

left:

A Second Home & Honest Work: Alec & Austin’s Journey with BCArc’s Employment Services

By Nicole Lemire

Supporting their mother and earning an honest paycheck is the main motivation for twin brothers Alec and Austin. They both work at Papa Joe’s Ristorante and Pizzeria in Pittsfield with the support of BCArc’s Employment Services.

“The restaurant has become like a second home to them,” said BCArc Employment Manager Regan Carlotto. “The team there welcomed them in, provided training, and continued to give them new responsibilities as they grew in their roles.”

As participants in the Employment Services Program, Austin and Alec receive ongoing support from Matt, one of BCArc’s Employment Trainers. Matt has worked with the twins for years now and expressed how beneficial the program has been for them.

“I’ve seen them grow in confidence,” Matt said. “They know their jobs well and have established strong relationships with the owners and staff at Papa Joe’s.”

“If I didn’t have BCArc, I’d be lost. I appreciate what they have done for our family, I wouldn’t do it any other way,” said the twins’ mother, Fawkia.

Taking Flight with Lyon Aviation

Blanca Durant, BCArc’s Chief Financial Officer, with family and the pilot, enjoyed a recreational ride over the Berkshires.

Thank you Lyon Aviation Inc. for donating this trip to BCArc’s Golf Classic auction, and to Blanca for her aggressive auction bidding.

The Heart of BCArc, Recognized by City Hall

Pittsfield City Hall lit up yellow to recognize Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week. A BCArc team attended the celebration alongside several other local agencies.

Thank you to Pittsfield Mayor Peter Marchetti for this recognition and support.

Film Festival Draws New Crowd at Stationery Factory

The community gathered for BCArc’s 15th Annual Sprout Film Festival. The afternoon featured a series of memorable international short films starring individuals with disabilities and brain injuries. Thank you to The Stationery Factory for hosting and to Community Access to the Arts for presenting their art exhibit at the event.

Advocates Celebrate Achievements at Award Dinner

BCArc’s Citizen Advocates, Proteges, and Self-Advocates gathered for a dinner at Zucchini’s Restaurant to celebrate their accomplishments over the past year. The Citizen Advocate program consists of a community volunteer being paired with an individual with disabilities to form a mentorship and friendship.

BCArc is always looking for new Citizen Advocate volunteers. For more information on how to get involved, contact Chris Ferrari at cferrari@bcarc.org or 413-464-7262 x102.

Bernard’s Journey Back to BCArc

By Samantha Goudey

After immigrating to the United States from Ghana, Bernard was excited to begin a new chapter.

Helping people had always been one of his priorities, so a career in human services felt like a natural path to choose. In 2015, after the birth of his daughter, he found just that by joining the BCArc family as an overnight staff member.

Bernard remained in this position for a year and a half until deciding to explore a new career path as a correctional officer. Despite having a positive experience, something was missing. He later learned that the ‘missing piece’ was BCArc.

“People get confused because I refer to Gamwell as home, but that’s truly what it has become for me.”

“Why did I decide to come back? Well, I love working with our individuals. It’s important to me that their wants and needs are heard, and in my position, I can give them that voice.”

Now, Bernard has been working at a BCArc brain injury house for the past year and a half as a Site Manager, where he handles staff schedules, residents’ appointments, and helps plan outreach activities.

“People get confused because I refer to Gamwell as home, but that’s truly what it has become for me,” Bernard said. “I love the guys I work with, they’re an awesome group, the staff too. I’m pretty lucky.”

Expanding BCArc’s Residential Program With New Homes in Pittsfield and Westfield

As needs arise and the disabilities population grows, BCArc will continue to respond to the call and provide exceptional support. This year, the Agency looks to expand with new homes in Pittsfield and Westfield.

Music Therapy Services: Encouraging Creativity, Boosting Self Esteem,

Individuals across BCArc’s programs have been learning new skills and accomplishing goals with the help of Susan Davis Warren, owner of Greylock Music Therapy.

Music Therapy is the clinical use of music to reach non-music goals, and can address physiological, cognitive, communicative, psychoemotional, and/or social limitations in a fun and encouraging atmosphere.

Reducing Stress for Individuals

Susan holds both group and one-on-one sessions, in which participants can take part in activities including singing, songwriting, dancing, learning an instrument, and more forms of musical expression.

Betsy’s Corner: Hosting Family for the Holidays by Betsy Carlotto

This year I decided to have my family come to my house for a Christmas party. It was nice to see my brothers and nephew. They all brought ingredients for dinner and we cooked together at my house, it was so much fun! I love getting together with my family for the holidays and am glad they were able to come to my house this year.

Everyone is excited to welcome guests into their home for the holiday season. Betsy, the author, is sitting in the center of photo.

Todd and Susan working together in a one-on-one session. Todd, a rock and roll fan, enjoys spending his sessions playing the piano, singing, and playing guitar.

Brain Injury Community Center Director Jillian Rivera Recognized with Statewide Award in Boston

The Providers’ Council, the largest statewide human services advocacy group, recognized Jillian Rivera as Manager/ Supervisor of the Year.

Jillian has built a closeknit community as director of BCArc’s Brain Injury Community Center.

Jillian has created a much needed resource for the community as the only brain injury clubhouse of its kind in Western Mass. Congratulations Jillian on your achievement!

Engaging the Next Generation of Leaders: BCArc Presents at the Arc National Conference

For 70 years BCArc has thrived by developing and advancing its staff into future leaders over several generations. The practice creates pathways for growth and ultimately benefits the organization at all levels. This year the approach was given national attention, when Nicole Lemire, BCArc’s Communications & Marketing Specialist, presented at the Arc of the U.S. National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., titled “Engaging the Next Generation at the Arc.”

Nicole presented alongside two other Massachusetts Arc marketing professionals – Damon Kruppa from Northeast Arc and Matt DiPesa of Community Connections. The talk packed the room and generated discussion on strategies for empowering young people as future leaders, and attracting and retaining young professionals into the human services field.

Getting into the Holiday Spirit Together

BCArc’s Community Based Day Services created this festive display for Berkshire Museum & Hancock Shaker Village’s Festival of Trees, “Barn to Be Wild.”