Celebrating New Spaces with H.O.P.E

Recovery

Recovery has many steps for a community. The Recovery Center of H.O.P.E.(formerly the Ware Regional Recovery Center) is a welcoming space that creates conditions for recovery, supports families, and brings together the growing recovery community in the region.

RCH educates and advocates for improvements in complex systems where people who struggle with addiction and persons in recovery, continue to find challenges and stigma within healthcare, criminal justice, employment, housing, and social services, thus contributing to the improvement in recovery-oriented systems of care. The center engages in the peer participatory process whereby peers - people in recovery- take the lead in determining what (and when) the center offers.

Transformation for recovery in the Ware region starts with a space where community members can share with and support one another.

Take a look at these before and after photos of the new space.

The doors for the new recovery space will open on January 18, 2023. Please stop in and say hi!

BeforeBefore Transformation Hope

Peer-to-peer support is giving community members HOPE, thus the name (Healing Ourselves with Peers Everywhere). With multiple pathways of recovery, The Recovery Center of HOPE and its members look forward to welcoming people in the community who are in recovery, their families, and those who support recovery with the hope that drives success.

AfterAfter

Spiritual Care

The “Spiritual Care Program ” is led by Social Justice and Spiritual Care Director Reverend Gregory Jones and has a mission to serve and encourage meaningful and purposeful relationships in, out, and around the community. These connections are nurtured through spiritual practices, art, nature, and/or things that bring the individual(s) meaning and purpose. If you need support in this area, you can reach Rev. Greg at gjones@wmtcinfo.org.

OUR NEW SOCIAL JUSTICE LIBRARY B Bo oo ok k o off tth he e Q Qu ua ar rtte er r

The Power of Personal Accountability by Mark Samuel

Pay attention to what really matters to you. Find out where you spend your time and energy. Understand what works and what doesnt and then use the simple strategies described in this book to change what doesnt. Built around Mark Samuels and Sophie Chiches Personal Accountability Model, the authors share their structured approach, case studies, and exercises in a highly motivating manner. You will learn how to make choices consistent with your desired outcomes.

You can find this and other books in the new Social Justice Library located on the 3rd floor of the Holyoke Office. For more information, please send an email to Rev. Greg Jones, Director of Social Justice and Spiritual Care at gjones@wmtcinfo.org.

I ’ m p l e a s e d t o a n n o u n c e o u r v e r y f i r s t “ S o c i a l J u s t i c e L i b r a r y ” a t T h e C o n s o r t i u m l o c a t e d a t o u r H o l y o k e o f f i c e 1 8 7 H i g h S t r e e t , S u i t e 3 0 3 , r i g h t o f f t h e k i t c h e n a r e a . A l l a r e w e l c o m e d t o c o m e a n d t a k e a l o o k a n d t o u t i l i z e t h e s p a c e . C o m e e n j o y s o m e c o f f e e a n d a b o o k ! !

P l e a s e , i f y o u h a v e a n y b o o k r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s t h a t f i t i n t o o u r c o m m i t m e n t t o w a r d E q u i t y , I n c l u s i o n , a n d S o c i a l J u s t i c e , p l e a s e f e e l f r e e t o s e n d m e a n e m a i l a n d w e ’ l l t r y a n d o r d e r t h o s e r e s o u r c e s f o r a l l t o e n j o y .

Meet the Program Managers! Meet the Program Managers!

Home & Community Connections Program Managers are the foundation of H&CC’ s 24-Hour Supports and Individual Options programs. In their critical role, they drive H&CC’ s mission and values in providing innovative support! Home and Community Connections provides residential and community support to adults with developmental disabilities and/or who have autism/ASD. We provide innovative and individualized support that eliminates barriers and empowers individuals to live the lives they choose. Program Managers are responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of residential and community support to assigned individuals. The Program Manager plans, implements, coordinates, and evaluates direct support to individuals. This position is a combination of direct care and administrative responsibilities. The Program Manager is responsible for the safety and well-being of the individuals supported. We ’ re grateful for this team and proud of their contributions in support of folks realizing their dreams! Look at the amount of experience listed here, it’ s incredible!

Anita Ross: “My name is Anita Ross and I have been working in the Human Services field for over 20 years. I was lucky enough to be hired by the Consortium in 2019 where I began a new role as Program Manager for the Individual Options program. I just recently became the Senior Program Manager and work with the most incredible team and individuals that we support. ❤ I believe every day we are alive is a gift and love to share all I have to help make others as happy as they make me!”

William M. Cole: “My 1st job in Human Services began over 20 years ago at the Martin Luther King Center summer camp. Over the years, I have enjoyed the people I have interacted with and learned from. Ever since starting at the Consortium, I have built great connections through the training that I conduct along with assisting at most programs. I am also a Manager in Individual Options.

Sherry Cote: “I have been with the Consortium for a little over two and a half years. I started working in Human Services as an Outreach Counselor for mental health, addiction, and homeless individuals at Carson Center for Adults and Families. I picked up a part-time job at the same time working as a Direct Care worker for Berkshire County Arc. I stayed with them for 8 years changing to Relief staff when I started my first Manager ’ s job for the Center for Human Development. I found I liked to work with people with developmental disabilities and have done so 12 years now. Taylor Pace: “I have been in Human Services for 10 years, and I have been with Home and Community Connections for the last 3 years. I truly enjoy helping others, and it’ s just great that I found a career that allows me to do just that!”

Ramon Planas Vega: “I like to be called Ray. I have been in the field for over 20 years providing innovative services for individuals needing support. I have been with Home & Community Connections since January 2020. I love the team that I work with.

Sherri Desmarais: “I have been with the Consortium since November of 2021. I started out as an overnight staff, then as a Program Supervisor to becoming a Program Manager. I have gotten the opportunity to work my dream job. I’ m very passionate about working with individuals that have physical and mental disabilities.