Visions Vol 2 2025

Vol. II, 2025

Volume III, 2024

O I N S I S V

Making Our Voices Heard

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

Contact Editor: David Singer dsinger@bcarc.org Assistant Editor: Nicole Lemire nlemire@bcarc.org

Federal Cuts? BCArc Will Still Thrive The future is never certain. This has always been the case for Berkshire County Arc, which has operated with a sound budget for decades through a financially conservative approach and steady growth.

We hear a lot about Medicaid getting cut at the federal level. At a recent legislative breakfast – see page 4 -- Berkshire County’s state legislators told the crowd that the state can absorb a large federal cut on the short term, but may not be able to sustain services year after year with significant cuts.

BCArc – like most human service organizations – relies on MassHealth for many of its programs, which is the state’s provider of Medicaid. BCArc is well-positioned for lean times. Our mission will stay the same – enrich the lives of the people we support. We are large, but we can be agile. We are prepared for a change in state funding. We have weathered many storms in 70 years.

We will also continue to stay front and center in Boston with our partners in the Berkshires and our Arc colleagues – 18 Arcs across the Commonwealth.

BCArc is lucky to have the support of its lawmakers throughout the state, and particularly in Western Massachusetts. This is a state that cares about its most

“BCArc is well-positioned for lean times. We are large, but we can be agile. We are prepared for a change in state funding.

We have weathered many storms in 70 years.” vulnerable population. We know they will do their best to fund basic services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and brain injuries. We also know they will face tough choices if Medicaid is reduced significantly.

Meanwhile, we will keep shouting about our most important issues – higher wages for staff who are committed to this work, better transportation services for all of Western Massachusetts, and numerous other related areas that impact the disability community and all of our communities.

Thank you everyone for your interest and support in caring for people with disabilities. When we stick together, we get things accomplished.

Maryann Hyatt President & CEO

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Employees of the Quarter - Quarter II, 2025 Staff members are nominated by their coworkers, and a committee selects the winners each quarter.

Alexis Breda Nu-Opps

Shaunna Christiana Clinical

Sharon Watford Residential

Christie Lewis Residential

Tom Liccardi Employment

Chris Adorno

Center for Development

BCArc Starts Lending Library for Assistive Technology BCArc’s Training Department hosted an open house to celebrate its new Assistive Technology Lending Library. The library provides a “try before you buy” opportunity for individ­uals to test adaptive equipment that will assist them with daily living activities such as eating, get­ti ng dressed, commu­nicating, and more.

Donations from BCArc staff for the Annual Campaign and a generous grant from the Fiegenbaum Foundation funded the library.

The library is open to all BCArc programs. For more informa­tion about BCArc’s Assistive Technology Lending Library, con­tact Rachel Gordon at rgordon@bcarc.org.

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Advocating for Mass. State Legislators & Berkshire Human Service Organizations Come Together for Disability Advocacy

Medicaid. Wages. Housing. Transportation. Adult Family Support.

These were a few of the topics addressed by Berkshire County legislators at a collaborative legislative breakfast.

The event brought in more than 30 regional groups to discuss issues with Mass. Senator Paul Mark, Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier, Rep. Leigh Davis, Pittsfield Mayor Peter Marchetti, and Joann Shugrue on behalf of Congressman Richard Neal.

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While the event celebrated its 20th year, the region had not held the event for the past six years, since before COVID. Partner agencies who presented with BCArc include: UCP of Western Massachusetts, Soldier On, the Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts, AdLib, Pittsfield Council on Aging, Community Access to the Arts, The Brien Center, Hearthway, and the George B. Crane Memorial Center.

Our Community Rallying for Support at the State Level BCArc has been actively advocating at events in Boston through the year, sending teams of staff and individuals with disabilities to deliver messages to legislators.

One group took part in this year’s Association of Developmental Disabilities Providers (ADDP) Legislative Budget Forum. Another group traveled to the State House in Boston for a statewide Arc of Massachusetts rally.

Both events sought to provide legislators with a more comprehensive understanding of the needs of the developmental disability community.

Commissioner Visits, Praises BCArc Brain Injury Center Toni Wolf, Commissioner of the Com­ monwealth’s MassAbility (formerly Mas­ sachusetts Rehabilitation Commission) visited BCArc’s Brain Injury Community Center in Westfield, one of only five in the state. Members of the Center walked through a typical morning agenda for the Commissioner and Maryann Hyatt, BCArc President & CEO. “This Center has given us a family to share our challenges,” several members told the group before Commissioner Wolf commended the group for the work they are doing.

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Boxing, Training, Laughing as a Team Miner Combat Classes Promote Staying Active

BCArc’s Inclusive Combat Experience Boxing Classes returned for a ten week series in partnership with Miner Combat in North Adams.

These classes provided a fun opprtunity for individuals and staff to take part in boxing, stength training, and other workouts. The series encourages living a healthy, active lifestyle and working together.

BCArc Bowling Champions Strike Success BCArc athletes gave it their all at a recent Bowling Tournament for Special Olympics Massachusetts. Congratulations to all of the athletes!

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Blind, Tanny Sees the World Through Music, Bird Sounds, Braille, & Learning New Languages Tanny is blind since birth.

She is a strong Braille reader, and works once a week at Canyon Ranch translating their marketing literature and meal menus into braille.

She plays piano. She doesn’t read music, but says she has a great ear for songs, and whistled a scale of notes during a recent conversation – key of F, she says – and then whistled the next scale. “That was the key of B flat.”

“Tell me what this is,” she said, making several stop-and-go sounds.

“That’s punctuation! The first was a question mark. The second was a semi-colon.”

She then whistled again. “That was a White-breasted Nuthatch.” She explained that she has CDs of bird whistles and enjoys listening to the sounds.

Tanny rattled off a list of more than 15 countries. “I took a DNA test, I’m from all of those countries.” From there she spoke phrases in several languages.

“I like living here. I like to read in my room, I like music, I have friends, I listen to birds,” she said, maneuvering around the room as easily as someone with sight.

Asked about her good friends, she listed a few dozen first names, mostly from her BCArc home in Lenox, which she shares with three other individuals, and her BCArc day program, the Center for Development in Lee. “I like living here,” she said. “I like to read in my room, I like music, I have friends, I listen to birds,” she said, maneuvering around the room, avoiding her keyboards as easily as someone with sight.

Joyce Finds Her Forever Home

“This is all for me?” Joyce said when entering her new room, tears in her eyes. “It is just as I always imagined it.”

Joyce comes to BCArc’s Southampton home from a rehabilitation center in Worcester for the past three years. She selected yellow walls covered with flowers, and was happy to have “real pizza” for the first time in years.

She looks forward to calling BCArc her new home and never moving again.

Welcome to your new home, Joyce!

Green Redeem Keeps Growing Alex and Izzy spent part of a cold April Saturday at the Cheshire Transfer Station collecting recyclables for BCArc’s Green Redeem.

The new BCArc enterprise has more than 30 businesses hosting recycle bins which the Green Redeem collects every week. They are working to grow the recycle business across the County and provide individuals with employment opportunities.

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BCArc Takes 2 of 5 Awards at the DDS Annual CAB Event Two people with Berkshire County Arc received this year's Citizen Advisory Board awards from the Department of Developmental Services Berkshire Area Office.

Kristie Cullison, Director of the Social Development Center, a BCArc Day Hab program, won the Reach for the Stars Award. Harriet Grandchamp, an individual supported by BCArc's Adult Family Care program, was

Kristie Cullison (left) and Cybele Kilby, BCArc's Vice President of Day & Employment Services (right).

given the Dream Award.

The Citizen Advisory Board consists of self-advocates, family members, guardians, professionals, and other citizens who advise directors on community needs and the quality of programs. CAB members are appointed by the DDS Commissioner to serve on the board.

Congratulations Harriet and Kristie!

Harriet’s friends came to support her accomplishment.

From left, Marc, Jeffrey, James, Harriet, Sarah.

The 15th Annual

SPROUT FILM FESTIVAL Short Films Featuring Individuals with Disabilities

Featuring a special art exhibit by Community Access to the Arts (CATA) 8

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May 17, 5 PM Barrington Stage Company 30 Union Street, Pittsfield

www.bcarc.org

Colleen Goes the Extra Mile for the People She Serves

By Nicole Lemire “I love helping individuals to reach their goals, and letting them know that I’m always here for them.”

Colleen works as a Habilitation Specialist at BCArc’s Center for Development and feels that she has found her dream job.

“BCArc makes me feel appreciated,” she said. “Not just through raises and bonuses, but through little things, like a letter in the mail. During COVID, they always recognized the extra work that we all put in.”

“BCArc makes me feel appreciated. Not just through raises and bonuses, but through little things, like a letter in the mail.”

Never one to back down from a challenge, Colleen always volunteers to take on new tasks and learn new skills, such as one-on-ones or helping individuals who need more extensive support and attention.

“When one of our new individuals first joined us, he was always in attack mode,” she said. “But I stuck by him, and put in the work to help him however I could.”

For anyone thinking of working in this field, Colleen says that although it can be difficult, the gratification that helping others gives her is always worth it.

“This work is so rewarding,” she said. “All I can say is, don’t knock it until you try it.”

Friends We Will Always Remember Thomas MacMillan 7-19-1955 2-13-2025

Steven Wheeler 1-3-1962 3-3-2025

Jeffrey Morrissey 12-16-1965 4-14-2025

New Manager of Northview Brings New Opportunities Keysa Santos-Delgado has been named the new manager of the Northview Program. Northview is one of BCArc’s Community-Based Day Services, and serves older adults with disabilities.

With over 15 years of experience at BCArc, Keysa has worked in a variety of settings including residential, day habilitation, and CBDS. “This is an exciting new chapter for me,” said Keysa. “My goal is to continue bringing a positive, productive environment while ensuring we stay aligned with our objectives and values. I’m looking forward to the journey ahead!”

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Betsy’s Corner: Botanical Garden Art Show

by Betsy Carlotto On February 28th, there was a CATA art show at the Berkshire Botanical Gardens in Stockbridge Massachusetts. There were so many paintings to observe, and I was very lucky to have my family come to the art show along with some of my house staff. At the art show I ran into old friends, and it was nice to see them. Both of my paintings sold, and I was even interviewed about my paintings.

Seeing old friends, and people support my art, and everyone’s art was amazing. It was a great Photos by Stephanie Zollshan, Community Access to the Arts night out and John (left) with his painting “Jellyfish” and Myles (right) with his painting “Full of Daisies” at the grand opening of the Seeds of Connection Art Exhibit at Berkshire Botanical Gardens. experience.

Training Dept: Equipping Staff to Support Others BCArc’s Training Department offers more than 500 training courses every year such as CPR, First Aid, and AED training in Pittsfield and Westfield. The Department’s nine staff members ensure that the BCArc workforce is equipped to give individuals the best possible care.

“Our job is to support people who support others,” said Lisa Hop­ sicker, Director of Staff Development & Training. “We give them the tools and knowledge to keep individuals safe.”

From developing a strong foundation at orientation to staying current on Medication Administration Program (MAP) recertifi­cations, setting healthy boundaries, human rights, and much more, BCArc staff enter their programs with the fields state-of-the-art training.

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Dancing the Night Away at the Stationery Factory This season’s Dinner Dance, held at Dalton’s Stationery Factory, allowed individuals and staff to get dressed up, enjoy a delicious meal, socialize, and bust a move on the dance floor.

Jeff & Koffi Take on TD Kevin Enjoys Working Garden for Celtics Game with Friends at the Library

Staff member Koffi brought Jeff, a lifelong sports fan, to watch the Celtics beat the Denver Nuggets.

This special experience is just one example of the many ways that staff supported Jeff and helped him to live his best days. Sadly, Jeff passed away on April 14, 2025. See page 9.

Kevin, at work with his manager Wendy Pearson, the Director of Stockbridge Library Association.

Kevin works with his friend Sarah, and together they sort books, assemble projects for the arts and crafts program, arrange the lettering for outside signs to announce library events, and disinfect children’s toys, among other projects.

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Non-Profit Org. US Postage Paid Pittsfield, MA Permit No. 121

www.facebook.com/BCountyArc @bcarcgram

30th Annual BCArc Golf Classic Wednesday, May 21, 2025 Berkshire Hills Country Club

REGISTRATION OPEN • All proceeds from the event go directly towards the individuals BCArc serves.

• Lunch, Dinner, Awards, Raffle, Silent Auction

www.bcarc.org/golf2025 Contact: David Singer dsinger@bcarc.org, 413-496-4423