Ken runs a newly built home overlooking a strawberry field and the Taconic hills. He’s happy to talk to applicants about BCArc working life.
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If 
you are thinking about working at Berkshire County Arc, you might want to talk with Ken first. He’s been around the BCArc and back, and can probably give you the skinny on any position. He’s also worked in the field outside the agency, starting years ago driving a Cabulance, individuals from a BCArc home to one of BCArc’s day time programs, the Center for Development.
“I became friends with all the guys I was driving,” he recalls. “Next thing you know, the director of the program, Deb Caiola, asked if I wanted a job at her program. I liked the guys a lot, so I took the job.”
After a few years at the program, where he developed relationships with many of the individuals, he chose to move to a group home. “I knew the four guys at the home, so I thought it’d be a good move for me to try it. The hours I was doing were just right for me, but I wanted to advance my career.”
Ken Is Happy to talk to applicants about working at BCArc. He welcomes emails from interested applicants. Contact info below.
He eventually left the agency after a few years to advance at another agency, but soon returned to manage a BCArc home, then returned to the day program as a floor manager.
“At each stage of my life, BCArc had a position that aligned with what I needed,” he explained, noting his young daughter through the early years. “I wanted to be there for her, and that’s why I seemed to move around a lot as her needs changed too, as well as allowing me to advance in growth and pay.”
While he spent his years working with people with developmental disabilities, he never worked with people with brain injuries, something he knew was quite different. “I was exposed to that area, but never worked directly with it.”
When he learned that BCArc was building a house to run a home in Lanesboro, he jumped. Now, two years later, he says he found his spot. “It’s been great starting on the ground floor, making plans for the home, furnishing it, and moving people into it. Also, it’s an amazing house on a hill with a great view.”
With air hockey and a pool table in the basement, Ken is starting to build up the rec room. “We need a few more donations and this will become a great room for all the BCArc homes to use.”
The move from developmental disabilities to brain injury was larger than he expected. “There are new challenges, new goals, and different strategies to advance the individuals.”
Ken resisted from applying recently for the next highest position, explaining that he still had much to learn in the brain injury field. “I wasn’t ready at the moment. I’m wrapped up with the brain injury area of this work. There’s a lot to learn and I’m learning it. I’ll know when I’m ready.”
contact Ken at kvanbramer@bcarc.org
