October 2009 - Berkshire County Arc

For the friends of BCARC
Berkshire County
ARC launches
Adult Family Care
Program
Executive Director, Ken Singer and
Coordinator of Advocacy, Maryann Hyatt
gather together with family members to
discuss and answer questions about the new
program.
See article on Page 2
Look inside for:
“Supporting People, Enriching Lives”
October 2009
Issue
Adult Family Care Article
From the Executive Director
HUD News
The Sports Page
Employment Grant Update/Big E
Residential Picnic
Helen’s 90th Birthday Party
Buddy Walk
Spotlight Individuals/Employees of the Quarter
CFD Welcomes/ Cathy and Betsy’s Corner
Vacation Page
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Berkshire County Arc’s Adult Family Care Program
Over the summer, Maryann Hyatt and Ken Singer introduced families to the new
Adult Family Care Program that BCARC is proud to offer families. The Adult
Family Care Program provides supports in a home setting that prevents out of
home placement for individuals with disabilities who cannot live safely on their
own. Eligible individuals can continue to live at home with their families, or if
they choose, to live with non-family members.
Participants need to be MassHealth eligible and need assistance with activities of
daily living, such as personal care, meals and supervision. In addition, the AFC
Program maximizes the potential for community participation for individuals with
disabilities by allowing them to live in their community while receiving needed
supports Caregivers can receive significant monetary support according to the
needs of the individual they care for.
Funding for the Adult Foster Care program comes from MassHealth through the
Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs. Multiple families have shown
interest in the program thus far, and BCARC is hoping to see the program expand
in the coming Year.
If you would like more information about Berkshire County Arc’s Adult Family
Care Program, please contact Maryann Hyatt at (413) 499-4241, ext. 227 or
Jessica Dennis at (413) 499-4241, ext. 276.
“Singer Shout Out” Radio Show
With Ken and Christine Singer
Wednesdays and Fridays at 4:00 p.m.
FM 104.3
This new show focuses on the exciting things that are happening in Berkshire County,
particularly with people involved in Human Services Agencies. Guest speakers will be
spotlighted and there will be useful information to be shared with our listeners.
“Shout Outs” periodically recognize outstanding individuals in our community that have
done something exciting that we want to recognize. If you have someone you would like
us to do a “Shout Out” for, please contact Ken Singer, 499-4241, ext. 239.
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From the Executive Director
Kenneth W. Singer
In these difficult economic times, when great stresses are being placed
on non-profit agencies such as Berkshire County Arc, it is important
to take time and reflect on the many positive things that occur every
day for those that we serve.
Individuals that live and work in our programs continue to have many
opportunities each and every day to enjoy life to their fullest. This
would not be possible without the great dedication of our over 500
employees. It is critical that we recognize their hard work and great
dedication to our mission. As I stopped last week and thought of
Christine, who just returned from a vacation to Hawaii, or Franck who
just celebrated ten years of employment at The Ponds in Lenox, I felt
a wonderful feeling of satisfaction, knowing that it was our staff that
made these and other great things happen. While everyone plays a
different role, whether it be as a direct care professional, accounting
staff, day habilitation specialist, residential supervisor, employment
specialist or a maintenance staff, it takes a team effort to make this
organization be successful.
We are extremely grateful for our staff’s hard work, and while we
know they are often underpaid, it is important for them to know that
they are not undervalued and that they truly are making a difference in
people’s lives.
Ken
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HUD Updates
Just like that...say good bye to summer and hello to fall . There are many projects that
are being worked on. As you can see from these pictures below people have been
busy working on various projects. Here are some pictures of what has been
going on behind the scenes.
(Above) New home on Kowchuk Drive in
Lanesboro is well underway. Four individuals
with developmental disabilities will live here
beginning early 2010.
(Above) Demolition of Hollow Road
home in Lanesboro, makes way for a
new HUD/State financed home with full
accessibility. Construction starts early
October.
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(Above) Interior view of new Kowchuk
Drive home. It has an open floor plan and
vaulted ceilings in the living/dining/family
areas.
(Above) Footings being poured for new
HUD/State financed home under construction
on Gamwell Avenue. The project will be
home to six residents with traumatic brain
injuries. Framing started in late September.
Visions
The Sports Page
Bruce (Left) at Stowe Acres
Country Club for a Special
Olympic
9– hole Golf
Tournament
John (right)
enjoys a night out with the
Harlem
Globetrotters
Patty (left) and
Carol (right) enjoy
a night out at
Wahconah Park and
pose with some of
the players of the
American Defenders
team.
Despite the drizzly weather, a good
time was had by all at the Annual
Ron Hutchings Golf Shootout.
(Right) Ron gets a little assistance
from Jay.
(Far Right) Ray watches as
Francis swings at his ball.
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Employment Grant Update
Leslie Olin has been hired as the Project Coordinator for our
$500,000 grant to expand the employment of youths with
disabilities in Berkshire County. Leslie has a wealth of experience with grants, strategic planning, and collaborations.
This MA-DEI grant (Massachusetts Disability Employment
Initiative) is an exciting opportunity to create systems and
opportunities across Berkshire County to assist individuals
with disabilities to become productively employed. We are
in the process of developing a strategic plan for the grant and
getting input from school district special education directors,
state agency management, business leaders , vocational providers and individuals.
We welcome Leslie to lead us in this exciting venture!
Big E
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Residential Picnic At Camp Stevenson
Thanks to all volunteers and staff that made this event a huge success!
Happy 90th Birthday, Helen!
Helen Taft joined the Berkshire County ARC family in August of 2001. She had been residing
in Sunbridge Rest Home in Hadley, MA. Initially, she was reluctant to move and it took some
convincing to relocate. Since moving, Helen has made numerous friends and enjoys retirement
by sharing her days with both Crossroads peers and her housemates at her home in Lanesboro.
Despite being 90, Helen is quite sharp and has a fantastic long-term memory. Helen’s cousins
from CT visit her several times a year and she corresponds with them via mail. We are so
proud of Helen and are thrilled to have one of participants reach the 90th milestone.
(Left): Helen’s
family were happy to
be there for Helen’s
birthday and got together for this group
picture.
(Right) Helen’s
birthday cake.
Thanks to all staff
that made this day
very special for her.
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Third Annual Buddy Walk of the Berkshires®
Raises over $ 13,000
On Saturday, October 3, 2009, the Berkshire County Arc Down Syndrome Family Group celebrated October
as Down Syndrome Awareness Month by hosting the third annual Buddy Walk of the Berkshires ® with hundreds of walkers participating in the 1.5 mile walk in Dalton. The walk is one of over two hundred walks
across the United States that is supported by the National Down Syndrome Society. The goals of the walk
were to promote awareness and inclusion of people with Down syndrome and to raise funds to benefit the
Down syndrome community in Berkshire County.
The BCARC Down Syndrome Family Group currently supports approximately 25 Berkshire County residents
with Down syndrome and their families. Proceeds from the Buddy Walk will help to provide a brighter future
for children, adults, families and friends of people with Down syndrome living in Berkshire County.
Thank You to our Sponsors, Contributors And Volunteers
Action Gaming, LLC
Bardwell, Bowlby and Karam
Insurance Agency
Bartlett Orchards
Bath and Body Works
Berkshire Bank Foundation
Berkshire County Arc
Berkshire Families And
Individual Resources
Berkshire Icelandics
Berkshire Pediatric Associates,
PC
Berkshire Print Shop
Berkshire Therapy Works, Inc.
Big Y
Cabot Creamery
Carr Hardware
Central Berkshire Regional
School District
Chin Bo Jok
Claim Services International
Classical Tents and Party
Goods
Clifford Oil Company
Coca Cola
Cord Master Engineering, Inc.
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Crescent Creamery
Dalton CRA
Donovan & O’Connor, LLP
Dufour, Inc.
Fredrick P. Hyman
Freihofer’s
Frito Lay
Greylock Federal Credit Union
Gymfest of the Berkshires, Inc.
Haczela Construction Company
Haddad Dealerships of the
Berkshires
Hilltop Orchards
Hinsdale H & C Realty Trust
Hold the Anchovies
Impress Printing
John Williams
Kelly Funeral Home
Kelly’s Package Store
L.P. Adams, Company, Inc.
Legacy Banks
Luau Hale
Michael Fabrizio, M.D., P.C.
Misty Moonlight Diner
Panera Bread
Patriot Suites
Paul Dilego, Jr., CPA, PC
Price Chopper
Price Rite
Renzi’s Country Store
Representative Denis Guyer
Rita Marie’s
Rotary Club of North Adams
Sandy Sakowski
Shaker Hill Pet Resort
Sheriff Carmen C.
Massimiano, Jr., and the
Deputies of Berkshire County
Smith, Watson and Company
South Adams Savings Bank
Stop & Shop
Superior Graphics
The Clip Shop
The Town of Dalton
Thomas J. Hamel, PC
United Cerebral Palsy of
Berkshire County
Wahconah Welding
White Wolf Trucking and
Excavation
Wohrle’s
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Spotlight Individuals
Recently the Ponds held a picnic in Franck Felix’s honor to celebrate his 10 year anniversary. Franck was surrounded by his family, friends and coworkers and was presented a
plaque commemorating his accomplishments while employed at the Ponds. For the past
10 years Franck has been employed as a housekeeper with the Ponds at Foxhollow a position that he truly loves. Franck started off working for the Ponds upon his graduation
from Lenox High School. Over the past ten years at the Ponds Franck has made many
achievements and overcome some obstacles. He has become extremely proficient at his
job, his quality of work is excellent always meeting and/or exceeding the employer’s expectations. He is fully capable of cleaning and entire single unit by himself, which includes a living area, kitchen area, large bathroom, and bedroom. He is a great team
player always willing to help out his coworkers. Nancy Anderson, head housekeeper for
the Ponds, states “Franck has come a long way since his graduation from high school. I
am extremely happy to have him as part of the team”. The Advantage Employee Network
would also like to take this opportunity to spotlight Franck for his achievements over the
past 10 years and his continued success at the Ponds at Foxhollow.
Congratulations Franck!
Franck Felix
Kim has been attending Lion’s Club meetings with her staff since April of this year.
Kim got involved with this group when her staff Juanita told her about the organization. The Lion’s Club is one of world’s largest service club organizations. It was
founded in 1917 and is best known for fighting blindness, but it is also known for
many different kinds of community projects such as caring for the environment, feeding the hungry and aiding seniors and the disabled. The group Kim is involved with
does a number of fundraisers, i.e. can/bottle drives to raise money and they also offer
scholarships for high school students. Kim meets twice a month at Zucco’s restaurant
with the group. Kim was recently inducted as a member in September. Kim is very
proud of her pins that she has earned since being with the group and for the work that
they have done so far. For more information about the group you can visit their webpage: www.lionsclubs.org
Way to go Kim!
Kim Scace
Employees of the Quarter
Ashley McNair
Assistant Director
288 Pecks Road
Right
Left
Marina Karapanagiotes
Developmental Specialist
Social Development Center
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The Center for Development
Welcome Aboard!
Cathy and Betsy’s
Corner
Art Cart
David Vaughan
Judy Brunelle
Cathy Crofut ( with the assistance of Cliff Love, staff at the
Center for Development) visits
Kimball Farms Nursing home
every other Thursday. Since
she has gone there, Cathy has
developed a friendship with a
woman named Rose. Cathy
brings some of her paintings
to the nursing home. Cliff and
Cathy always have a good time
during their visits. Cathy
taught an art class last week at
the nursing home. After
teaching her class I asked
Cathy how she felt. Cathy
stated that she felt very proud
and she feels included in the
community. Cliff and Cathy
will continue to go to the
nursing home every other
Thursday to visit their friends
and to share their art and
smiles with the people there.
Submitted by,
Betsy Carlotto
Sarah Vannah
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Ben Madden
Visions
Vacations
S
(Above) Christine poses near Hanauma
Bay in Oahu. This was the trip of her
lifetime!
(Above) Kylie, Carol and Cliff get their picture
taken at the Mystic Seaport Aquarium (with a
beluga whale as their backdrop). This was
Carol’s first vacation (and it won’t be her last!)
(Left) David and Jose
pose in front of the
Minne-Ha Ha at the boat
ramp in Lake George,
New York
(Right) Karen,
Margaret, Marie and Kim
bring forth their inner
pirate for this group
picture at Hampton
Beach
(Right) Erin, Cindy, Lisa, Tina, Antoinette
and Tonya are all smiles at Half Moon Cay
(an island owned by Carnival Cruise Lines).
The ladies also visited Nassau, Bahamas
and Grand Turk and had a wonderful time!
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Non-Profit Org.
US Postage Paid
Pittsfield, MA
Permit No. 121
P.O. Box 2
Pittsfield, MA 01202
On the web!
www.bcarc.org
Save the Date!
Berkshire County Arc’s
55th Annual Meeting
Friday, November 20, 2009
Itam Lodge, 7:30 AM
Full Breakfast
Call 499-4241, ext 200 to register
Cost: $20.00