Get to Know: Sandy Deare-Robinson (Part 2)
Note: This is the second part of our conversation with Sandy. Don’t miss part 1 of our conversation with Sandy here.
How would you describe the work you do at Nonotuck?
We are integrating individuals into communities, helping them pursue their desired activities and achievements, securing jobs, engaging in projects, participating in physical activities, and exploring various endeavors. Our approach is person- centered, bridging the gap between individuals and their communities. We connect people, fostering relationships and encouraging them to venture into activities they wouldn't typically consider, taking risks and experiencing personal growth.
By leveraging our community and theirs, individuals secure jobs and engage in volunteer projects they love, becoming integral parts of these initiatives for years. This includes dance activities, shows, and interactions within the community, such as shopping, taking walks, and sharing meals. There are notable success stories, including individuals initially hesitant or unable to leave their homes due to fear and anxiety.
Over time, they have overcome these challenges, actively exploring activities and achieving remarkable personal growth. Initially limited to sitting in and
doing nothing beyond their usual routine, they now participate in a variety of activities, from creating flower walls to taking walks, shopping, going to movies, and bowling. The community has witnessed significant growth, with individuals forming meaningful relationships both within and outside the program. Even during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic, our turnover rate has remained minimal, reflecting the enduring commitment of our staff and participants.
The impact of our program is evident in the transformation of individuals like Carrie {a program participant}, who initially had limited availability but, through her dedication, not only earned the admiration of coworkers and customers at Goodwill but also maximized her earnings on the days she worked. Such success stories inspire others to embrace meaningful volunteer projects, creating a sense of purpose and connection among participants.
Our focus is on recognizing individuals' skills, gifts, and talents, encouraging them to flourish and be seen within the community. The result is a profound difference in the lives of both program participants and the community at large, fostering love, acceptance, and meaningful connections.
As an example, during a recent trip to the dollar store with Renee {a program participant}, the cashier's face lit up upon seeing her, brightening the atmosphere in the store. This small interaction in a long line highlights the positive impact our program has on individuals and the broader community, reinforcing the notion that our efforts are a positive force for everyone involved.
What is something you bring to the table at Nonotuck?
My uniqueness—I don’t really perceive it as work. I acknowledge that it is work, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to visit someone's house, where they eagerly await. It transforms into a connection right from the door, as I prepare myself, knowing that I'm about to engage in something people genuinely enjoy.
It's about sharing what I love and discovering if there's something they might enjoy too. I view people as individuals, which makes the entire process so much smoother. I see their hearts and their imperfections. I have my own shortcomings, and the accepta nce I receive is something I cherish; I love them for it. My desire is to witness people flourishing, and it's in my heart to do whatever I can to facilitate that or bridge any gaps.
Whether people are feeling up or down, I hope to lift them up through a song, a kind word, or a comforting touch. This connection is innate within me; it's my heartfelt intention. Even a simple trip to the store, hearing a song, or observing people dance and express themselves freely brings me joy.
I don't mind going out and dancing myself; it has shaped me more than it has shaped the people I work with. I take pleasure in bringing others along with me. I remained dormant for so long, unaware that I could just be free to be myself, without judgment or criticism.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I enjoy spending time with my family. As a Shared Living Provider (SLP), I also cherish moments with my girlfriend, Amanda. We share interests such as listening to music, going out to explore, taking walks, visiting tracks and trails, watching movies, and attending shows. I appreciate being out, but I also savor home time. Being at home with my husband, Eddie, my kids, and my son when he’s home from college is special. We bond over watching movies, having pizza, enjoying wings, and playing games. My family includes my husband Eddie, my daughter Malyah, my one-month-old grandbaby Omavi, my son Craig, who’s in college and returns home for holidays and summers, our cat Bella (affectionately known as Bells), and of course, Amanda.
What does ‘caregiving with love’ mean to you?
It means vulnerability, connection; it means safety, a safe place, admiration, gratitude, fulfilling, thankfulness, warmth, acceptance.
Any closing words?
I would just say that working for Nonotuck has been one of the best jobs I’ve had in my whole life. I know I’m still young, but this is the longest I’ve worked anywhere. I was a cashier before, and Nonotuck has been one of the best jobs, from the management team all the way down to George {Fleischner, Nonotuck President/CEO}.
It’s been easy to do our job, working and fulfilling our roles in the day program with the teams that we have. From the higher-ups, I’m able to pour so much into the people I supervise and support. It’s just our culture, how we do things. With every piece of paperwork that we do in business, it’s been rewarding to work with this company that cares so much for the people we’re supporting. We’re able to implement things because of what we get from the top, including the marketing team; it all connects. It’s such a rewarding feeling to work for this company. Nonotuck has been truly amazing.
I’ve been able to raise my kids as a single mom, get married, become a SLP. I’m able to see growth in myself as well. It’s a busy place, and it’s a lot to come up with the makeup of who we are. I’m truly grateful and thankful. I also like to pray. I pray for us as a whole – a job, a company, an agency. I live that; I truly appreciate everything Nonotuck stands for. We have a good culture here.
Find out more about Shared Living
Watch: The Roots of Disability Rights
Nonotuck Resource Associates, Inc. was proud to recently host Attorney Bob Fleischner for his presentation, “The Roots of Disability Rights: The Impact of the Civil Rights Movement and Criminal Justice Constitutional Reform.” The presentation llustrated the connection between the early civil rights movement and criminal justice reform cases to the disability rights movement, providing an immersive history as well as a look at the future of the movements.
Nonotuck CEO/President George H. Flesichner spoke of the importance of the topic. "To provide the best possible support to the people we serve, it is essential for us to be aware of the progress made in the fight for equal rights and dignity for individuals with disabilities. This training will equip us with the knowledge of where we are in this journey, help us to comprehend the journey of advocacy, resilience, and empowerment that has shaped the lives of those we serve," he says.
Watch the entire presentation on Youtube.
Presenter Bio
Bob Fleischner retired in 2018 after more than 45 years as a disability rights lawyer at the Center for Public Representation, a national public interest law
firm in Northampton. He litigated and argued appeals in state and federal courts involving guardianship, prison conditions, solitary confinement, juvenile justice, civil commitment, involuntary treatment, and the rights of persons with disabilities to be free from institutionalization and to live in the community. Since his retirement, Bob continues to work supported decision-making and is a Senior Advisor to the Massachusetts Association for Mental Health. He is a work stream leader for the Access to Justi ce Knowledge Hub, an international gathering of disability advocates working to conform legal systems to the mandates of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Lexis published three editions of his treatise on Massachusetts guardianship law and he has written numerous law journal articles and book chapters about capacity, disability law, and guardianship. Bob graduated from Boston College Law School in 1973.
Shop Black-Owned Businesses in Massachusetts!
February is Black History Month, and we encourage you to celebrate by supporting the numerous black-owned restaurants and businesses all over Massachusetts.
This list was compiled from multiple internet archives. If you don’t find what you are looking for, here are some other resources with listings of businesses to support:
Boston.com: Here’s a Running List of Black-Owned Businesses to Support in Greater Boston
Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce: Celebrating Boston’s Black WomenOwned Businesses
Supportblackowned.com: Support Black and African American Owned Businesses
Blackownedbos.com: Black Owned Bos Business Directory
Boston Alliance of Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer Youth: Massachusetts Black Owned Businesses and Causes to Donate to
US Chamber of Commerce: 9 Black-Owned Small Business Directories
If you'd like to submit a business for our list, please email Joshua Murray .
1636 North
220 Worthington Street, Springfield MA 01103
tel:(413) 785-4025
67 Degrees Brewing
158 Grove St, Franklin, MA 02038
A-Plus Welding Roxbury, MA
tel:(857)389-6243
Academy Tree Service
121 West St, Methuen, Massachusetts, 01844
Aerospace Aces Malden, MA
Tel: (857)3235480
Akosua's Closet Worcester, MA
Artifact Soapworks Cambridge, MA
tel:(617)460-3752
A Sistas' Love LLC
Hyde Park, Boston
Ayana Mack Design Boston
Bartholomew Lighting Cambridge, MA
tel:(206)9137187
Breej Technologies Inc 44 Stedman St UNIT 6, Lowell, MA 01851
Bros Home Improvement
Brockton, MA
tel:(774) 450-7312
Brown and Coconut
Brookline Oral Surgery Group
1560 Beacon Street, Brookline MA 02446
Tel: (617) -751-6959
Bumpys Natural and Organic Foods
908 Allen St,
Springfield, MA 01118
tel:(413) 209-9471
Chapman Cleaning Company, LLC
56 Lawn Ave, Quincy, Massachusetts, 02169
Chef Wayne's Cajun on The Go 350 Worthington St, Springfield, MA 01103
(413) 417-7050
Clarke’s Cakes and Cookies
Find them at multiple locations throughout Massachusetts
Collaborative Inc.
Boston, MA
Tel:617 -338- 0018
Cross Spectrum Acoustics, LLC
25 Granby Street, East Longmeadow MA, 01028
Dewey’s Jazz Lounge
232 Worthington St, Springfield, MA 01103, tel:(413)301-8337
Edgartown Dental Group
Edgartown, MA
tel:(774)- 310-3457
Emerald City Plant Shop 702 Washington St. Norwood, MA 781-571-1086
Fasika Restaurants 145 Broadway Somerville, MA 02145 617 628- 9300
Frugal Bookstore, 57 Warren St, Roxbury, MA 02119
G|Code House
tel:(857)2611633
Giselle's Flowers and Gifts, 492 Dudley St, Roxbury, MA 02119 (617) 989-1263
Hair Fashion I, 1334 Blue Hill Avenue, Mattapan, MA 02126
House of Art and Craft
525 Western Ave, Brighton MA 02135,
Indigo Speech and Language
Dorchester, MA
tel:(617)935-7562
Insightful Tees
97 Callender Street, Boston MA 02124
tel:(617)461-4616
Jahzara Fashion House (617) 910.0476
Khi & Eli's Food for The Soul, 882 Sumner Ave, Springfield, MA 01108 (413) 732-0860.
Khelsea Pervis Editorial Services Randolph, MA
Tel: (010)32812752
Kopf Consulting
9 Barlet Street STE 239, Andover MA 01810
krio skincare Boston, MA
Level 5 Restaurant
890-892 State St. Springfield, MA 01109 (413) 209-9248
Liberty Realty
54 Clayton St, Boston, MA 02122
LS Computers
239 Onset Avenue, Onset MA 02558- 1988, tel:(508) 291-9989
Mamadou' Artisan Bakery
677 Massachusetts Ave Arlington, MA 02476
Mida Boston
782 Tremont St. Boston, MA 02118
Mida Newton
261 Walnut St.
Newton, MA 02460
Mill City Environmental Corporation
116 John Street, Lowell MA 01852
Nevina Infotech Pvt. Ltd.
302 Washington St #1 Brighton, MA 02135 (512) 380 1093
Payless Tax Services Quincy, MA 774-223-7966
Petsi Pies
285 Beacon St, Somerville, MA 02143
Playa Society
32 Valley Rd, Boston MA 02134 (413)209-0809
Radiant Behavioral Health Care, PLLC
101 Federal Street
Suite 1900 Boston MA 02110
(617) 841-8468
RepHAIRations
1339 Massachusetts Avenue
Arlington, MA 02476
Saint Clair Reality
1 Credit Union Way Suite 215E, Randolph MA 02368 tel:(781)6952444
South Hadley Dental Group 446 Newton Street, South Hadley MA 01075 tel:(413)- 252-8969
The Space Global Boston, MA (857)492-1917
Spider Apparel
P.O. Box 1526, Onset MA 02558,
Stinky's Kittens & Doggies Too 110 Bristol Rd, Somerville, MA 02144 (617) 623-0265
Sweet Glam Shop
Boston, MA
Tessi Consulting
867 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199
Tiana Bay Boutiques Canton, MA
Thony’s Barber Shop
545 Dudley Street Boston, Ma 02119
The Urban Grape 303 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA 02116
White Lion Brewery Tower Square
1500 Main St Springfield, MA 01103
The Williams Agency Cambridge, MA tel:(617)3957680
2024: What's Your Word?
As we enter the New Year, we have a question for the Nonotuck community: What’s your “word” for 2024? Instead of a New Year’s resolution, what’s one word you’d like to focus on for your own wellness and betterment for 2024?
You can still email your submissions to Joshua Murray (murray@nonotuck.com) and Jannelle Robinson (robinson@nonotuck.com). Videos are encouraged, too!
Nichole Bourke Placement Specialist, Conz Street Northampton
“My ‘word’ for 2024 is ‘contentment.’ I will focus on being satisfied with all life’s simple pleasures.”
Michelle J Call RN BSN, Harvard
“My word is ‘JOY.’ The definition of joy is: a feeling of great pleasure and happiness.
I want to find more joy in each moment of my life. I want to bring joy to others and find the joy each day brings.
It’s the little moments in life that matter most – the day-to-day life can be surprisingly joyful.”
Saoling Chhhit, Vice President of Northeast AFC Services Lowell/Lynn
“My word for 2024 is ‘forward.’ I will try to forget what happened in the past and look forward to the future.”
Jim Donnelly HR Generalist, Northampton
“My word for 2024 is ‘believe:’ I want to believe in myself, believe in others and believe that anything is possible.”
George H. Fleischner, President & CEO
“Here is my word for the year: meditation, as in reflection. I plan on taking time this year to meditate or reflect, consider, think about the people I love, and the people I’ve lost. I want to meditate on who I am and who I want to be. I want to meditate or consider, reflect on the work we do and how we can do it better.”
Edward Lattrell, Clinician: Conz St.,
Northampton and Auburn Offices.
“My word for 2024 is perseverance. 2023 was a very challenging year for myself, some of the people I support and the individuals who support them.
With family, work and relationship supports we persevered through 2023. We will continue to in 2024 and beyond.”
Joshua Murray, Marketing Coordinator, Easthampton
“My word for 2024 is ‘slow.’ When the world speeds up, I want to be able to slow down and to respond to situations in a measured and calm manner.”
Gretchen Parker, Human Resources Director, Northampton
“My word will be ‘Intention.’ As I am getting more settled in my position here at Nonotuck and our Department being fully staffed, I would like to start 2024 with projects that are more proactive and done with intention rather than reactive.”
Jannelle Robinson, Wellness Coordinator, Lee
“My word for 2024 is presence. I am letting go of distractions and calling in more moments of being truly present with the people I love.”
Amanda Stanislas, HR & Payroll Manager, Northampton
“My word for 2024 is ‘peace.’ I am intentionally seeking and discovering more things that bring peace to my days while setting healthy habits and better boundaries.”
Joshua Whitcomb, Billing & AccountsReceivable Specialist
“My word for 2024 is ‘purpose.’ I am focusing on living life with more of a plan and more intentionality, and not just taking things as they come. I have a vision for what I want out of life, and I’m doing more to make that vision into reality.”
Matthew Wieners, Care Manager, Plymouth“My word for 2024 is ‘progress.’ I am making a conscious effort to make steady progress in all aspects of my life, including my career, my health, my art and in my personal relationships. As Winston Churchill once said, ‘perfection is the enemy of progress.’ If one strives too hard for perfection, they will often find themselves paralyzed and unable to achieve progress. Small steps are my goal for this year, in order to better myself in every way that I can.”
Now Hiring: March 2024
Want to work for a 2023 Boston Globe Top Workplace? We’re hiring! From Assistant Program Directors to Registered Nurses, and everything in between Apply for these positions or share them with someone who should!
Auburn Registered Nurse
Nonotuck Resource Associates, Inc. is seeking an RN to provide case management for our expanding services. This AFC RN position offers flexibility and autonomy while utilizing your nursing assessment, care planning and case management skills to provide services to individuals in home settings. Case Management nursing does not require the delivery of hands-on nursing procedures. Requirements for the positions include Associate's or bachelor’s degree, RN license, computer abilities, travel/organizational planning, flexibility, excellent communication, training, referral, and planning skills.
Apply Now
Care Manager
Nonotuck Resource Associates is currently seeking a dedicated and experienced individual to join our team as a Care Manager. The Care Manager will play a crucial role in providing oversight and support for shared living homes, working closely with individuals receiving services, their families, caregivers, and service partners to enhance personalized services and relationships. If you are passionate about person- centered care and have experience in AFC, Shared Living, and Community Support, we invite you to apply.
Apply Now
Brockton
Assistant Program Director
This position provides leadership in the implementation of Nonotuck’s values and key agency principles to provide high quality supports to the people served by the program working in concert with the Program Director.
Apply Now
Registered Nurse
Nonotuck Resource Associates is currently seeking a passionate and dedicated Registered Nurse (RN) to join our team as a Shared Living Oversight specialist. In this role, the RN will provide oversight and support for shared living homes, working closely with individuals receiving services, their families, care providers, and service partners. The position focuses on developing and enhancing personalized services and relationships, and it does not involve skilled nursing activities/duties. If you are committed to fostering truly personalized care and support, we invite you to apply.
Apply Now
Berkshire County Integration Specialist/Direct Support Professional
Nonotuck Resource Associates is actively seeking a dedicated Integration Specialist to join our team and provide community and home services, along with direct care supports to individuals with developmental disabilities enrolled in our Community -Based Day Supports program. If you are passionate about fostering independence, creating meaningful connections and supporting individuals in their journey towards a full community-based life, we invite you to apply for this rewarding position.
Apply Now
Caregivers Needed
Open Your Heart, Open Your Home/Caregiving with Love Nonotuck Resources Associates (www.nonotuck.com) is a community-based agency that provides residential services since 1972 to people with intellectual disabilities. Believing in the transformative power of caring for a person in a home -setting, we support individuals through matching them with caring providers who open their hearts and homes to our members as Shared Living Providers (SLPs). SLPs need to provide a flexible and supportive environment where the individual they are supporting will feel safe and secure.
Shared Living Caregiver- North Adams/Williamstown
Nonotuck is currently in search of a kind-hearted and nurturing caregiver in the North Adams area who is looking to share their life with a man in his late twenties. This gentleman is looking to live with someone close in age, who will share similar interests, such as exploring the outdoors (hiking, cross -country skiing, canoeing), playing music and attending music concerts, going out to eat, enjoying the theater and possibly dabbling in sound and lighting. It is important that this man remain involved in his current community and continue to spend valued time with his family. Must love dogs!
Apply Now
Northampton
Assistant Program Director (RN Preferred)
This position provides leadership in the implementation of Nonotuck’s values and key agency principles to provide high quality supports to the people served by the program working in concert with the Program Director.
Apply Now
Staff Accountant
The Staff Accountant will work under the direction of the Director of Finance and will be responsible for variety of duties such as maintaining the general ledger, reviewing financial statements, preparing financial reports, assisting with audits and budgeting processes, and reconciling accounts. The Staff
Accountant may also be assigned finance department projects outside of the aforementioned responsibilities.
Apply Now
South Shore Quality Enhancement Specialist (Human Services)
This position will help implement the values and the Key Agency Principles of Nonotuck to provide high quality support to the people served and the people employed by the agency.
Apply Now