Volume 11 - Summer Fun

Helping People
Build Better Lives
Since 1954
Staff Newsletter
June 2011
Vol. 11
Essentials
After a pretty yucky winter, we‟re finally starting to see some nice weather, and people are ready to
get out and enjoy it. We asked some folks how they found out about cool stuff to do, and we got a lot
of great responses back that we wanted to share with everyone. Got a fantastic recreation idea?
Favorite local restaurants or hot spot, or an annual event or fair that you love going to? Write us and
tell us about it, and we‟ll include it in an upcoming newsletter! E-mail [email protected]
DISCOUNTS!
Saving money on having fun
is easier than you think! Check out these
websites for cool ideas!
Whofish is searchable by state, with events
broken down by city, with clickable links to specific even
pages. The website also includes “daily catches”, which
are discounts to area events, restaurants & recreation
spots, like $89 for a 2 Hour Guided ATV Tour at Out Back
Kayak, which is normally a $168 value. You can order &
pay for the Daily Catch deals directly on the Whofish
website. You can also enter to win free tickets to
selected events.
www.whofish.com
Groupon, Living Social, Eversave and Buy With Me
are searchable by major city, with discounts to area
events and restaurants even outside the major cities.
The discounts are usually about 50% less than normal
retail price, and you can register by selecting your city
and entering your e-mail address. Each will send you
daily e-mails with the information about the deal of the
day, like tickets to Contemporary Art Museum in Boston,
which usually cost $15, are offered by Groupon for $8.
www.groupon.com
www.eversave.com
www.livingsocial.com
www.buywithme.com
Restaurant.com is searchable by zip code or popular
city, and you can purchase gift certificates at select areas
eateries like the House of Blues in Boston, Odyssey
Cruises, or Fire Bull in Peabody. Discounts are usually
about 50%.
AAA has discounts for members. Visit
http://discounts.aaa.com/attractions.htm and enter your
zip code. Some of the discounts available are a 4-pack
of Showcase Cinema tickets for $31 (usually $41), Six
Flags pass for $28 (regular price $44.99) and discounts
at Walt Disney World, including “park hoppers”.
You must be a AAA member to access these
discounts.
EVENTS!
Check these great websites for area events!
Phantom gourmet (phantomgourmet.com) has food events
like BBQ Beach Party, Food & Wine Fest, Food Fest & Beer
Fest. They also have a Restaurant Recipes
section to see how to make your favorite “out to
eat” foods & beverages at home. You can also
purchase Phantom Gourmet gift cards which
are usable at selected restaurants.
Eventful (eventful.com) is searchable by major metropolitan
area & shows many local events, festivals, concerts,
movies, family event, local hotspots & even singles events.
You can purchase tickets to area events highlighted on the
website.
Celebrate Boston (celebrateboston.com) has lots of
information on regional events, historic sites, attractions,
museums, tours & sporting events with links to official event
webpages to find more information. A few free events listed
are Friday Night Flicks at the Hatch Shell &Free Concerts at
the Hatch Shell.
Boston Central (bostoncentral.com) is your
go-to source for fun and inexpensive (some
times even free) stuff to do in the Greater
Boston Area. There‟s an events calendar,
activities, classes & camps, shopping,
resources & restaurants, & even “free fun” section! You can
sign up for weekly e-mails about all the great fun things to
do in the area for free.
The Boston Globe (boston.com/thingstodo/) features
movies, restaurants, events, music, theater, arts events,
family activities, nightlife & comedy events. There are
reviews of different activities, & links to coupons & discounts
as well. The site also features articles such as “25 things to
do in Boston under $25”.
Yelp (yelp.com/events/boston) celebrates “real people, real
reviews”. Content is user generated, so you know
you‟re getting the real scoop, rather than some
article done by an advertising agent.
(cont. on page 4)
LifeSaver
Awards
Do you feel lucky?
Lucky Birthday
Winner
Do ya?
Do Ya???
LifeSaver Winners for June!
Nomination forms can be found at S:\Blank
Forms\LifeSaver Nomination Form.doc, or e-mail
[email protected]
For July
Mary Albanese
School to Work
Karen Rankin – Supported Living
Gerald Jean – Career Services (EMI)
Jeff Balzarini – Life Choices Reading
Alecia Bennett – Hopkins Street
Anthony Muisyo – Hopkins Street
Kristin Laffey – Newcomb Avenue
Meet Maureen
Maureen O’Brien, Interim Executive Director, will be at the
June Town Hall meetings to discuss leadership changes and
plans for the agency. Susan Roche, Human Resource
Manager will also be present to answer any last minute
questions about our new insurance package. You will also
get to meet David D’Arcangelo and Amy O’Brien, of the
Development Team.
6/21
Beverly
3p-4p
6/22
Reading
12p-1p
6/22
Reading
3p-4p
6/23
Burlington
3p-4p
All staff are encouraged to attend which ever
location and time is most convenient.
Light refreshments will be served.
Curious?
Is there part of the Agency that you‟d like to
learn more about? Curious about a program,
activity, group, committee or event? Got a
suggestion for an article? Or for a StaffLight?
Drop us a line!
[email protected]
Congratulations,
Mary!
From the Desk of Maureen O’Brien
Although I am new to this position my experiences with
EMARC go back over 17 years. Please know that my
main interest is to ensure the continuity of services for our
participants and their families. To that end I am calling
upon every EMARC employee to maintain the high-level of
service that are participants and their families have come
to expect from EMARC.
As we begin this new endeavor, I want you to know that
my door will always be open and your input will be both
welcomed and appreciated. I want to thank everybody
who has stopped by to welcome me thus far to my new
position. I am looking forward to working with you and for
our participants and their families.
Thank you,
Maureen O‟Brien
Interim Executive Director
781 439-4072 (cell)
Tom Barton
Program Director
at Main Street is our
June Winner!
Congratulations
We want to know what you think!
EMARC Essentials, Staff Newsletter, June 2011, vol. 11 PAGE 2
Tom!
Awards for General Awesomeness
Anne Tetrault – Wonder Woman
The O’Brien Clan – O’AwesomeSauce
Staff
Lights!
Kelly Dwyer
Sometimes someone does something so
awesome, they need their own award created
just to honor it! Just a few of the totally
fantastic folks who did something really
remarkable that just needed its own award.
What to know what they’re for? You’ll need to
ask them!
Want to nominate someone for an Award for
General Awesomeness? Talk to the Committee!
At first, Kelly Dwyer didn‟t think she could be a nurse. “I had friends who were
nurses and I don‟t know how they did it,” Kelly said. “I kept thinking to myself, „I
could never do that.‟”
But now Kelly works as a nurse for the Supported Living, Residential, and Adult
Foster Care departments at EMARC. Kelly can be seen darting between the
Gould St. office and from home to home helping EMARC‟s consumers manage
their medications, doctors‟ visits, and their health.
Kelly first started working in the corporate world as an office manager, but left
because she wanted a career where she could help people and spend more
time with her family. She went back to school part time, earned her nursing
degree, and since November, has worked for EMARC in both nursing, and
direct care positions.
Kelly says working directly with EMARC‟s consumers is her favorite part of her
job. “They‟re so much fun and so appreciative of what we do for them,” she
said. “They make me smile.”
Anne Tetrault, Residential Health Care Coordinator, says “Kelly‟s nursing skills,
life experience and warm, caring personality have made her an invaluable asset
to our Residential team.”
Submitted by Ace Reporter Matt Tetrault
Ahoy Matey! And WELCOME to our new co-workers!
Karen Bell – Administrative Assistant
Jillian Hinds – Life Choices Instructor (Reading)
Yee Yee Banks – Residential Relief
Dorothy Mendes – Life Choices Instructor (Beverly)
Maureen O’Brien – Interim Executive Director
Cherie Pierni – Residential at Main Street
Finding EMARC
http://tinyurl.com/emarcfacebook
http://twitter.com/EMARC1954
http://tinyurl.com/EMARClinkedin
http://tinyurl.com/EMARC4square
Haven Street has started a cooking
class taught by one of the house
staff, Janani Ligunya, who is
currently attending Bunker Hill
Community College for Culinary
Arts. He has been making many different meals at Haven
Street for the individuals. After some thinking we came up
with the idea to do an “in home cooking class” for the guys
and EMARC‟s Iron Chef Janani would be the teacher.
Janani sat down with the guys and compiled some recipes
that they would like to make and set out a schedule to do
a cooking class every Saturday afternoon. Some things
that have been made are meatloaf, cupcakes, pastas and
so on. He has been working with the individuals on getting
the materials, prepping the materials, measuring, reading
recipes, making the food, and finally eating the food. It
has been a great way to engage our guys into healthy
eating and also building their cooking skills. They are very
happy with the end result and love that Janani has been
able to share his learning with them!
EMARC Essentials, Staff Newsletter, June 2011, vol. 11 PAGE 3
Fun Ideas
Fun & Friends Connection
(funandfriendsconnection.com) is a website
bridging the gaps between desire-money-knowhow.
You‟ll find links to advocacy groups, volunteer
ideas, dating sites, etc. You‟ll also find a month-tomonth training guide for community inclusion Some
examples are “adopt-an-island”, great ideas for
volunteering and teamwork and making connections.
The website includes information on recreation,
community, learning, friends and free things!
Essex National Heritage Area (essexheritage.org/) features
many recreational and adventure activities of different levels,
including beaches, trails, heritage sites, photo safaris, gardens,
marshes, historical houses and sites, and lots of other stuff.
Check them out, as there is far too much to do for us to list in this
article.
90 Great Things to Do in Massachusetts (visitmassachusetts.com/current_category.2511/companies_list.html)
does indeed list 90 great things to do, including the Lift Ev‟ry
Voice Festival in Berkshire, Poet‟s Seat Tower in Rocky
Mountain Park, the Eric Carle Museum of Picture
Book Art, as well as quirkier recommendations like
the Marine Specialties shop in
Provincetown and Skyzone in Boston
(you‟ll have to check the links to see
what they are!) You can select events by date or
by town.
MeetUp (meetup.com) website is searchable by zip code or by
topic or interest. Their tag line is “Do something.
Learn something. Share something. Change
something.” And it‟s all about making connections
with people who share the same interests. Some
examples of “meetups” that are
scheduled in the Greater Boston Area are Friday
Night Tennis, the Boston Beanstalks Tall Club
Monthly Meetup, Ukulele Jam on Harvard Square,
walking clubs and puppy play dates.
Hampton Beach Sandcastle Competition
(hamptonbeach.org/sandcastle-competition.cfm) is held June 1729, with Master Sand Sculptors creating fantastic works of art.
You can check out photos from past competitions on their
website. Crane‟s Beach in Ipswich also has a sand castle
competition.
Adaptive & Accessible Resources
Department of Conservation and Recreation
Universal Access
(mass.gov/dcr/universal_access/index.htm) is
dedicated to providing outdoor recreation
opportunities in Massachusetts State
Parks for visitors of all abilities. There
website lists loads of accessible events,
parks that are wheelchair friendly,
conservation activities, parks with Park Interpreters
and assistive listening equipment.
The Trustees of Reservations
(thetrustees.org/) is another great place to
find fun and accessible activities. Some of
the programs listed on their website that look pretty
interesting are An Introduction to Geocaching, Farm
and River Day, Cope Poge Lighthouse Tour and EcoVolunteer Training. They also have a searchable
section where you can find cool places to visit that are
near you.
Lynch Park (bevrec.com/lynchpark.html) in Beverly is
a lovely park, and many areas
(including the bathrooms) are
accessible.
Other places to look
 Town websites
 Local papers
 Local Libraries & library websites
 Town “patch” media (do a web search on the
name of your town and add the word patch, for
example there is a Malden Patch, a Melrose
Patch, a Woburn Patch, a Reading Patch, and
they all feature local news, information and
events. Each local Patch has a website, and most
can also be followed on Facebook
and Twitter.
Thanks to Chenine, Brittney, Magi, Aimee, Alyssa,
Mindy, Christine B, Amy O, Nancy N, Laura M and
Christine A for all the fantastic info for this article!
Those are some super fun folks we have working with
us!
Samantha‟s Harvest is non-profit foundation that works to raise
awareness by providing funding for programs and organizations
that directly enhance the lives of individuals with Down
syndrome. To date, they have raised over $150,000.00
EMARC has been a beneficiary of these funds as well as VSA Arts Massachusetts, The Reading Integrated School
Experience Pre-School Program, and The Department of Cardiology at Children's Hospital among other organizations. In
addition, Samantha‟s Harvest also focuses on celebrating inclusion in schools. Samantha‟s Harvest has brought speakers
on issues of disabilities to The Reading Public Schools as part of the Inclusive Schools Celebration. Samantha Gibbs is
an athlete, swimmer, and excellent student. Samantha also has Down‟s Syndrome. Samantha‟s mother Lisa Gibbs and
father Robert Gibbs are the cofounders of Samantha‟s Harvest. In addition to her role as Vice-President and Co-Founder
of Samantha‟s Lisa also serves on the Board of Directors at EMARC as the newly elected Vice-President. To find out
more about the outstanding work that this organization does please visit www.samanthasharvest.org.
Submitted by Ace Reporter Amy “A-Bomb” Ruiter
EMARC Essentials, Staff Newsletter, June 2011, vol. 11 PAGE 4
Magi Lindeman began working as a Program
Director at our Albion Street location in July 2010.
Magi has been instrumental in coming up with
creative ideas to get everyone actively involved in
the community.
One of the things Magi strongly believes in is
music. In school Magi participated in chorus and
the “Young in Arts” program in Boston. She has
been writing and singing her own music off and on
over the years. She has also recorded some backup vocals for local bands.
Recently Magi decided to get back into singing. She
answered an ad on Craiglist looking for a singer. After
auditioning, Magi got the job! The name of the band is
Lexington Street. Magi practices every Wednesday after
leaving work. The band has played several local shows
and at one of the shows filmed a video for their Facebook
page. A friend saw the video on Facebook and knew of a
show featuring Darius Rucker (formerly of Hootie and the
Blowfish). One thing led to another, and Lexington Street
will be opening for Darius Rucker at The Noisy Oyster in
Charleston, South Carolina on July 26th.
We here at EMARC are very excited for Magi and all the
members of Lexington Street. Magi’s enthusiasm for
everything she does is an inspiration to all of us. We wish
Magi luck in Charleston and wish we could all be there to
show our support and cheer them on!
To check out Lexington Street’s pages, go here:
http://www.facebook.com/LexingtonStreet
http://www.myspace.com/lexingtonstreetband
Submitted by Residential Rock Stars Sarah Carpenter,
Christine Burke and Tracy Hanson
Lexington Street
Joe Savia, Ryan Boisselle, Len Morrissey, Jimmy Whalen ,
Paul Paglierani and Magi Lindeman
Safety Squirrel Approves!
On May 19th Tracy Hanson and Kelly Dwyer conducted a transfer training for the
Recreation Department. The Recreation Department has a number of participants that
require assistance with transferring. EMARC wants to ensure the safety of both staff and
participants while transferring. Proper body
mechanics are important to maintain the safety of the
participant and staff person. We discussed how to
safely transfer participants from wheel chair to
chair/bathroom and in and out of vans. Some
important things to remember are to (1) Assess the
person you are transferring to see how they can help
you (weight bearing, pivot, etc.); (2) Use proper body
mechanics; (3) Always tell the participant what you
are going to do so they are prepared; and (4) Ask a
second staff to stand by for assistance if you need it.
Most participants can assist you in some way by using their upper body to push out of a
chair, pivoting, or taking small steps. The staff from the Recreation Department were able to
practice assisting with transfers, and also being transferred. Thank you to Chenine Peloquin,
Laura Morabito, and Christine Arruda for arranging this training for their staff.
Submitted by Cub Reporter Kelly Dwyer
EMARC Essentials, Staff Newsletter, June 2011, vol. 11 PAGE 5
Pat, the CPR/First Aid Attack Weasel
Wants to know if you’re Certified!
All staff who work in Group Homes, Supported Living, Life Choices,
Employment Services or Transportation are required to have current
certification in Adult CPR and First Aid. To sign up, please contact:
Please remember that you MUST sign up for a class in advance to attend:
CPR
06/22/11
11a-1p
07/12/11
6p-8p
07/18/11
11a-1p
07/27/11
1p-3p
080/8/11
1p-3p
First Aid
06/27/11
6p-8p
06/28/11
1p-3p
07/21/11
11a-1p
07/26/11
6p-8p
08/23/11
11a-1p
Corey started as an Employment Specialist at
EMARC in August 2009. It was clear from the start
that he had possessed a special kind of energy,
drive and a desire to make a difference; especially
shining in leading Chore-service groups on various
assignments including assisting the individuals and
maintaining relationships with customers. The
Employment Manager left in May; though there
were other applicants for the position, Corey‟s
familiarity with the individuals and his willingness to
learn more and, ultimately, to succeed, really stood
out. Corey has an excellent rapport with co-workers,
customers, business representatives and parents.
In just a few weeks he demonstrated an astonishing
ability to absorb information and to learn about being
the Employment Manager. We all wish Corey all the
best in his new position!
EMARC wants
Submitted by Ace Reporter Alex “Eagle Eye” Marxsen
Y
YO
OU
U!!
Chris Tetrault began working for
EMARC in spring of 2010 as
Residential Relief Staff, working
primarily at Main Street and
Haven Street. He graduated
from University of New and
began working full time at
EMARC as a Program Manager
at Haven Street. Chris quickly
learned the ropes and assisted
by not only completing his
regular Program Manager tasks, but also took on
additional responsibilities in a large house.
On June 6th Chris will become the Program Director
for Woodcrest, a position which has been vacant for
awhile, waiting for the right candidate. Join us in
wishing Chris the best in his new position!
Submitted by Ace Reporter Brittney “Awesomesauce” Malionek
Photo credit Anne “Shutterbug” Tetrault
Staff Appreciation
Committee
Appreciates Staff!
Reader Rewards!
Last month we
asked you to tell
us what EMARC
staff person could
be contacted for
more information
about the great
events happening.
The winner of the
random drawing is
Deb Rauseo from
EMI! We‟ll send
you info in your
e-mail!
This month, to enter into a
drawing for a $75 gift card you
need to tell us about your
favorite local attraction!
Whether it be a park, hiking
trail, camp ground, restaurant,
museum, club, festival, concert,
whatever it is, we want to know
about it! Send an e-mail to
[email protected]
telling us what is it, and what
you like best about it! Your
answer may even end up in an
upcoming newsletter!
Recently the Staff Appreciation
Committee gave each
supervisor an envelope with
Free Car Wash certificates for
each of their staff! If you didn’t
get yours yet, see your
supervisor. These car wash certificates are good at Simoniz
Professional Car Wash at their Lynn, Malden, Reading or
Everett locations. For more info on Simoniz Professional Car
Wash visit www.CleanCareFeeling.com
EMARC Essentials, Staff Newsletter, June 2011, vol. 11, PAGE 6
th
On May 25 the folks from the Development
Team put on quite a spread at the Annual
Meeting. Members of the EMARC family,
including staff, participants, families and Board
members were all present. Terry Kennedy
talked about the past years issues and
accomplishments, as well as goals and events
for the upcoming year. Terry remarked that
the past year has been a good one for EMARC, and that it was due to the dedicated and creative staff who work so diligently to support
our individuals and families.
Among the things mentioned were:

CEA and the grant they received to makeover the lobby into a community art gallery

Closing of Lebanon Street and subsequent opening of Woodcrest Avenue

Opening Burlington Life Choices and expanding Reading Life Choices

Redesign of the Development Team

Expansion of Family Support including Adult Family Care and the new contract for
the Family Resource Center

EMARC‟s success in the recent DDS Survey and Certification Process

Reading Life Choices recent community partnership with the Boston Museum of
Science in assisting to make their new Human Body exhibit more accessible

Upcoming events being done by the Development team
o Dining for a Cause at Wakefield Dockside, Not Your Average Joes and the
Horseshoe Grill
o Fashion Swap on June 9
o Tucker Gala on November 7
o Wine Tasting Event to be held this summer
This evening was also a time for changes. Outgoing Board of Directors President Maureen O‟Brien presented the new Board of
Directors President Christine Flaherty. Christine presented Maureen with a beautiful painting of Lake Winnipesaukee by CEA Artist
Sean Cusack and custom designed jewelry Natural Elegance Artist Alfred Restighini.
Christine also introduced the new officers of the Board
of Directors, Lisa Gibbs (Vice President) Brian
McCoubrey (Treasurer) Deanne Cefalo (Clerk) and new
Board Member Yvonne Zani.
Refreshments were provided by Lucci‟s in Wilmington,
and a special thank you goes to Bob O‟Brien for picking
up the food and to Colleen O‟Brien for making delicious
EMARC cookies for everyone to enjoy. Also special
thanks to the Development Team for putting on such a
Brian McCoubrey, Jack Mason, Susan Hubbard, Deanne Cefalo,
great event. Thanks Heather, Amy and David!
Maureen O‟Brien, Christine Flaherty, Ralph D‟Amico, Yvonne Zani
Kala Malionek (Haven Program Manager) and Marisa
Rodriguez (Residential Relief) recently graduated from Mt
Ida‟s Dental Hygiene program. Kala also won and award
for “Excellence in Specializing in Patients With
Developmental Disabilities”, and Marisa won an award for
“Outstanding Achievement in Community and Public Dental
Health. Both of these awards were given for the work they
did with EMARC in providing specialized training programs
for individuals and support staff on dental hygiene.
Congrats to Kala and Marisa!
Residential programs have started a Walking Club at Lake
Quannapowitt in Wakefield. Each Monday (6p-7:15p) folks
will meet (weather permitting) to walk the lake.
Arati Thapa, Water Street Program Director, recently
graduated from Salem State with her Masters in Social
Work. Congratulations, Arati!
Supported Living staff and participants recently started a
Healthy Living Challenge modeled on the Biggest Loser
program, but more focused on health than on weight.
Individuals and staff are paired together on teams to work
on healthy lifestyle choices, including food choices and
getting more active.
Susan Roche will be the new Human Resource Manager.
Susan has been with EMARC for awhile and took over her
th
new HR responsibilities on May 30 , and we‟ll be hiring a
new person to do Payroll. Congrats, Susan!
EMARC Essentials, Staff Newsletter, June 2011, vol. 11, PAGE 7
July 2011
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Birthstone: Ruby
Flower: Larkspur, Water Lily
3
4
5
11
World
Population
Day
17
18
Different
Colored Eyes
Day
19
Yellow Pig
Day
24
Parents Day
31
7
National Fried
Chicken Day
12
Thursday
National Blueberry Month National Anti-Boredom
Month - Unlucky Month for
weddings - National Cell
Phone Courtesy Month National Hot Dog Month National Ice Cream Month
6
Independence
Day
10
Wednesday
13
Chocolate
Day
Bastille Day
21
26
Aunt and
Uncle Day
27
World UFO
Day
9
Video Game
Day
15
16
Cow
Appreciation
Day
22
23
National
Hotdog Day
Moon Day
25
Saturday
2
Canada Day
8
14
20
Friday
1
28
29
National Milk
Chocolate
Day
DINE FOR A CAUSE
30
National
Cheesecake
Day
Not Your Average Joe’s Burlington 4C Wayside Road Burlington, MA Every Tuesday in June 2011
(6/7, 6/14/ 6/21 & 6/28) 15% of proceeds will go to EMARC
For event tickets and information, please call Amy O’Brien X. 4010
EMARC Essentials, Staff Newsletter, June 2011, vol. 11, PAGE 8