Volume 1, 2020
VISIONS
Supporting people. Enriching lives.
Editor's Note
Thisissueof Visionswas largelyproducedbeforethe Coronavirusreachedthe UnitedStates.Oncethe virus hit, we assumedit wasinappropriateto send out this issue.But we quicklyrealizedthat thereis no better timethan now to celebratethe individualsand staff that comprisethe BCArcfamily. Berkshire County Arc cannot close its doors, nor can we support the individuals we serve remotely. This is a hands-on business. BCArc staff routinely call the individuals they serve "family" and this pandemic proves them genuine. Staff continue to work and continue to care for the individuals like they would family.
BCArc is doing all it can to limit the health risks of the 1,000 individuals across the programs. This virus is a moving target and circumstances, rules, and medical information change several times a day. We are moving as fast as we can to keep up. To print and mail Visions can take two weeks to reach your mailbox. At the time of this printing, we have people confirmed positive for COVID-19, and others quarantined. Let us all hope it stops right there. For current information, go to www.bcarc.org
Employees of the Quarter: Representing All Our Heroes
Panha Ros Accounting Staff
David Maina Residential Support
Tamara Young Residential Support
These five employees represent all the employees of Berkshire County Arc who have pulled together as a team to keep safe and healthy the people BCArc serves. We know it takes a certain person to display the compassion and dedication shown by BCArc staff. They are protecting and
Cliff Love Developmental Specialist
Parick Ghunney Residential Support
saving lives everyday. These might be the most challenging times that any of us have experienced. Let us take a moment to recognize the care, commitment and flexibility that BCArc staff have shown. They deserve a medal.
Letter from the President & CEO There are jobs. And then there is BCArc. So many of our staff stay on for years because this type of work feels just right for us. In fact, we currently have 10 employees who have served our individuals for more than 30 years, 42 staff members for over 20 years, and 30 employees for over 10 years. There is one person who has been working here for more than 40 years--me. Everyone understands that what we do makes a difference in people's lives. But not everyone can devote themselves to that work. When I came to the Berkshires to work at BCArc in 1980, I never dreamed that BCArc would grow to serve 1,000 people, manage 43 homes, and employ 800 people. Our great staff do not stay at this work because of the money. They stay because it feels right--it
becomes a second home and a second family. Over the past 40 years I've had the honor to work with so many talented, caring and humble people, committed to helping a vulnerable, capable, and appreciative disability population.
"No one plans to stay anywhere for 40 years."
It has been a fantastic experience working with the BCArc community--including families, friends, business partners and more. While the Coronavirus has turned things upside down for the moment, we will prevail and return a better agency for it.
BCAr c Community Celebr ates K en's 40 Year s of Gr owth with Agency BCArc President & CEO Ken Singer celebrates his 40th year at BCArc this year. BCArc held an Open House for Ken, where many BCArc staff members, the individuals BCArc serves, families, and friends visited throughout the day to share stories, enjoy cake, and congratulate Ken.
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BCAr cRespon din gSw if t lyt o Vir u s,Th an k st h e Com m u n it y Page 3 BCArc is doing everything it can to limit the health risks its individuals and employees face from the Coronavirus. It follows state-approved guidelines for crisis situations, and continuously meets to share information, stay current, and institute new practices as new information comes in. We are in continuous contact with the relevant state agencies? including emergency preparedness organizations? and fellow Berkshire human service providers. We have adequate supplies for providing care, including gloves, medical cups, masks, and more. We are concerned about these supplies for the long-term, and are pursuing every avenue going forward with our partners. We welcome help from the entire BCArc community for these types of supplies. The only visitors allowed at BCArc homes are
We welcome help from the community to refer potential new-hires to the BCArc website. staff and required medical services approved on a case-by-case basis. We have canceled in-person home outreach with our adult family care services, and support these families remotely. We have a communications chain based on our emergency plan, and communicate to the entire staff as new developments occur. We still need to hire, orient, and train new staff, while adhering to all virus safety precautions. We require regular taking of temperature at
every shift, and no one enters a BCArc property, including BCArc offices, without getting screened and their temperature taken. We face staffing challenges now and for the foreseeable future. Our staff, as most of you know, are incredibly caring employees committed to the individuals we serve. These are taxing times and we are fortunate to have a tremendous staff. We are concerned that as the weeks pass, our staff will grow exhausted. If anyone knows someone looking for work and BCArc hosted a public information interested in session for community agencies on the Coronavirus that featured Dr. Mark making a Pettus, Director of Medical Education difference, for Berkshire Medical Center, who also please point sits on the Board of Directors for BCArc; and Allison Egan, senior public health them to the planner for the Berkshire Regional BCArc Planning Commission. website. We thank the BCArc community for all its support and understanding and wish everyone good health and safety for all the families. We could not have made it this far without everyone's help. For news and updates, visit www.bcarc.org
Pr even t ion gu idelin es f or t h e BCAr c Com m u n it y . -
Wash you r h an ds of t en w it h soap an d w ar m w at er f or at least 20 secon ds.
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Cover you r cou gh s an d sn eezes. St ay six f eet aw ay f r om som eon e cou gh in g.
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Lim it you r ph ysical con t act , in clu din g h an dsh ak es an d h u gs.
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Fr equ en t ly disin f ect you r cell ph on e, door k n obs, ligh t sw it ch es, r ef r iger at or h an dles, et c.
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Don?t t ou ch you r f ace u n less you h ave f ir st w ash ed you r h an ds.
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In dividu alsLigh t UpFloor at HolidayDin n erDan ce
Helpin g Cop-on -Top Raise M on ey f or Special Olym pics
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Individuals Rise for Distant Adventures with Staff Gerry and DeSean Fly to Pittsburgh to Watch their Steelers Play
Tim Ventures Overseas with His Shared-Living Family
Gerry and DeSean flew to Pittsburgh to watch their favorite team the Pittsburgh Steelers play the Ravens. The trip included some sight-seeing, restaurants, public transportation, and the big game. ?This was an amazing experience for me,? DeSean said, ?but seeing the huge grin on Gerry?s face all weekend was the best part. He was so focused on the game, yelling the whole time. I felt like I was sitting with the coach. Gerry made the game more fun for our entire section.? ?I?ve loved the Steelers for years, ? said Gerry. ?This was my first NFL game, and it was great. I loved watching them play.? ?On top of it all, it was a great game," DeSean said. "They lost in overtime, 26-23, but if Gerry wasn?t yelling from the stands, they probably wouldn?t have gotten that far.?Read the full story at www.bcarc.org
Tim took a two-week vacation from his work at the company Blue Q to visit the Dominican Republic with Erwin Figueroa, a BCArc Residential Supervisor, and his family as part of their Shared Living program. Together they visited seven cities, five beaches, and countless eateries. "My wife and daughters always enjoy themselves with Tim," said Erwin.
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Glitz, Dance, Romance at Crossroads Prom
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Friends Remembered Volume 3, 2019 Summer Volume 3 2017
Leslie Ann Engle 5-13-58 3-29-20
Christy Rich 1-14-85 12-2-19
Carol Chouinard 11-20-43 1-4-20
Nicholas Rackham 1-2-77 12-12-19
Priscilla Hall 9-26-48 2-27-20
Daine Cruz Earns George Porter Award For the dedication she gives to the individuals in her Lakeway Drive home, Daine Cruz was awarded the Doctor George Porter Award. "We can train a person to work in direct care, but we can't train a person to truly care," said Ken Singer, BCArc's CEO. "With Daine, it comes from the heart." The award goes back to 1987, when Dr. Porter served as the unofficial physician of the house. The annual award goes to the person who best exemplifies the spirit, dedication, and warmth of Dr. Porter.
BCAr c Receives Gif t f r om Ou t -of -St at e Don or : A Hou se An out-of-state donor gave the Berkshire County Arc a house in Adams, Mass., appraised at $135,000. The handicapped-accessible home was given to BCArc without restrictions. BCArc was selected after the donor explored several other qualified non-profit organizations.
L ens on H R Meet BCArc's HR staff, from left: Maureen Marion, HR Assistant; Kathy Maloney, HR Generalist; Barbara Woods, Senior HR Specialist; Kristi Nastars, HR Director; Racquel Vincent, HR Generalist; Tammy Kupernik, HR Generalist II; and Risa Maynard, Senior HR Generalist. 6
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?We are grateful for the donor ?s generosity, and for selecting BCArc over the many other worthy non-profit institutions in the region,? said Kenneth W. Singer. ?It is this kind of generosity that allows us to provide high-quality programs.?
Volume 1 2019
Page Summer Volume 3 2017 7 7 t h e Valen t in e's Din n er Dan ce All Sm iles an d Decked OuPage t at
DSFG VisitsNaumkeag'sWinterlights
Cindy, "TheLady in Pink," celebrated her 50th birthday in March with someof her best friends. For 28 yearsBCArchasbeen lucky tohaveCindy in thefamily.
BCAr c Gr ow s Again , Open s 3 Hom es in Ham pden Cou n t y With its latest three homes opening in Agawam, Russell, and Southwick, BCArc now has 43 homes. Fourteen of those homes -- and 240 employees -- are in Hampden County. The agency expects to expand further as the need for its services remain in demand.
Fiveindividualsresidein thenew Russell home.
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Volume 3, 2019 Summer Volume 3 2017 Page 8 Betsy's Corner by Betsy Carlotto
On February 14, 2020, the Center for Development in Lee had our annual Valentine?s Day Party. We had yummy treats that were colorful and festive. We had heart shaped cookies, brownie bites and fruit punch! Lots of people wore pink or red to celebrate. Debbie presented us with a giant, decorated box full of Valentine cards from everyone (there were hundreds of Valentines in that box!). We all decorated our own paper bag to put in our Valentine cards and goodies. We had a good time with great music and friends. Lots of Love all around at CFD that day and every day!
Vict or y an d m or e f or in dividu als at Win t er Olym pics in Wor cest er
Jenna Thomas & Jimmy and Jenna with the 2013 World Series trophy.
Brian and Margaret with the Paw Sox hockey Mascots.
Marc, left and Joshua, right display their awards.
Tim shows his silver medal.
Individuals Give Back to the Community
BCArc?s individuals collected winter blankets from the community, which they then delivered to Barton's Crossing, a shelter for adults.
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BCArc Berkshire Self-Advocates Amy, Robert, Kim, and Margaret shopped and wrapped toys for five 2nd grade students that the Berkshire Dream Center sponsored for the holidays this year.
Volume 3, 2019
Summer Volume 3 2017 9 Krystal's "Rainbow Worm Page Family" Chosen for Blue Q's Cover
Buy a product from Blue Q and receive a hand-painted card in the package, cards painted by BCArc individuals, all of them a unique Rainbow Worm Family. A big hit with the customers, the worm families seemed natural for the catalog cover. But, as Blue Q explains, "We had to pick one cover and Krystal's was chosen."
BCArc Art Crew Featured in Blue Q's Catalog
The artist Krystal, pictured above, is blind. She has worked for Blue Q through BCArc's Employment Services for nine years.
"As you can see, our in-house art crew has been testing the efficacy of these aprons as smocks for months," says part of the caption to the two-page spread in its newest product catalog featuring Blue Q's BCArc employees. Blue Q's "Artist-in-residence" Andrew LaPatin works on his Fenway Park painting. Andrew spends three days a week at the studio Blue Q provides him, and pursues other art projects at his BCArc Co-op apartment. With upcoming exhibits, Andrew says, "I'll never stop painting."
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Volume 3, 2019 Summer Volume 3 2017
10 T r ansition Team L eads CensusPage Effor t to H elp Ever yone Get Counted
A team from the Transitions program are working to reach populations identified by the Census Bureau as "hard-to-count" to help them be counted. With 15% of the Berkshire population identified as people with a physical or intellectual disability, the team hopes to educate everyone on the high stakes of the Census. "The Census plays an influential role in the Berkshire economy and policy decisions, so this team knows the work they are doing is important to everyone," said Pam Kight, Senior Manager of Community-Based Day Services.
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Chris(left) and Matt preparetohit thestreetseducating the "hard-to-count" on theimportanceof getting counted in the Census.
Jamie Sigoski Named New Residential Super visor Jamie Sigoski was recently promoted to Residential Supervisor, where she oversees the operations of four group homes for adults with developmental disabilities. Previously she supervised a home in Lanesboro. Jamie joins a team of nine supervisors, who, collectively, oversee BCArc?s 43 homes across Hampden and
Big Welcome to BCArc's Newest Family Member
Berkshire counties. A Pittsfield native and mother, she has worked at several human service agencies, and for a variety of programs at BCArc. ?Years ago I saw myself in early childhood education, but after I took a job at BCArc, I fell in love with this kind of work. Now I don?t see myself doing anything else.?
BCArc Loyalty Measured by Years of Work
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Odin Kristopher Strzepa, 7lbs 4oz, 21.5 inches, Dec. 3, 2019. Mother Mackenzie Melski, LPN; Grandpa Chris Melski, co-director of Residential Services; and Grand Aunt Michele Porter, also a BCArc employee.
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AFC T ur ns 10, Celebr ates I ts Success with Families and Community Ten years ago The Adult Family Care program at Berkshire County Arc launched with eight families. Today it serves more than 120 families, providing medical support, a stipend to the caregivers, respite services when needed, counseling, events with other families, and advocacy to help negotiate through insurance, health care, and more. ?The Adult Family Care Program fills a critical need in the community,? said Maryann Hyatt, BCArc's Chief Operating Officer, who founded the program 10 years ago. ?Never before was there such a program like this that has helped families in so many
ways. We?ve connected them to the disability community, and provided multiple services for the entire family, such as day and employment services for their family member, health-care coordination, and a monthly stipend for caregivers.? The program has served more than 400 families since its inception. The number fluctuates widely due to families moving out of state, no longer qualifying, passing away, or other circumstances.
Spotl ight on Individual s Seek ing Per sonal Gr ow th With Lessons and Daily Practice, Dennis Takes on the Guitar At 70 years old, this U.S. Marines veteran with Parkinson?s Disease is determined to learn the guitar, harmonica, and sing. On his desk in his room--Dennis lives at a BCArc home in Southampton--sits a small pile of sheet music that he works on everyday between his weekly lessons. He says he's not that good yet, but ask him politely to play a few songs, and you'll see that he's wrong--he can play, and he's improving everyday. For the full story, and more like these, visit www.bcarc.org/individual-stories.
Todd Joins BCArc's Northview Program to Explore New Opportunity A fan of trains, voice imitations, comics, and "all things 80s," Todd joined Northview to engage with the community more, learn new marketable skills, and meet people. The Pittsfield native works seasonally at Shaker Village, volunteers at the Dream Center, and swims at the Y. Ask him what he likes about the '80s, and he'll rattle off a quick list: bands, video games, TV shows, cartoons, movies, and more. "All '80s all the time," he said, using the voice of Yoda from Star Wars. VISIONS VOLUME I 2020
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Non-Profit Org. USPostage Paid Pittsfield, MA Permit No. 121
Comments? Questions? Contact David Singer at dsinger@bcarc.org