Berkshire County Arc awarded six students between $1,000 and $2,000 for college costs for their exemplary work with individuals with disabilities and their intent on pursuing higher education in the field of human services. The applicants submitted essays, resumes, and letters of recommendation, and [...]
After work, Bruce takes a seat in the recliner of his apartment, his door wide open. From there he chats with his best friend across the hall, Robert, who also relaxes in his recliner after a hard day’s work. Sometimes they talk about their workday, or sing old songs together from their separate hom [...]
Money to directly fill unmet needs of people with disabilities May 23– Berkshire County Arc held its 25th Annual Golf Classic at Berkshire Hills Country Club in Pittsfield, Mass. on Thursday, May 23, 2019. Many of the 172 community members Saturday have attended the event every year for 25 years. The [...]
Sharon Watford started at the Berkshire County Arc 20 years ago. But she remembers clearly why she made the move. “I worked at a nursing home where I had to worry about 30 people sometimes, just me and them,” she said. “Here we have four staff for eight individuals.” Sharon works with BCArc’s co-op a [...]
By Shaun Hall Rich Enuol manages a brain injury home in Westfield, Mass., for the Berkshire County Arc. But he spent the first half of his life in the jungle without ever seeing a light switch, money, or packaged food. “We traded rice for salt,” he said. “For protein we caught and ate insects, lizard [...]
John Chapdelaine is not proud of his past. He describes himself as a party-driven “spoiled rotten brat” before his brain injury at the age of 19. A once fearless scrapper with a nose for trouble, today he uses his experience and hindsight to help young people avoid his fate. “What I want to do is hel [...]
Panel Moves Crowd to Tears with Care-Taker Stories Information, advice, and heartwarming stories were shared by more than 100 families, providers, self-advocates and others at BCArc's Family Support Conference at the Country Club of Pittsfield. The “Family Support Conference 2019: Person-Centered Th [...]
Shaunna at Crossroads Shaunna Christiana has worked a good number of jobs in her life. But the role of care-giver—of helping people—is the role she feels most comfortable. “When you come in to work, and walk through those doors, you can’t help but smile when you see the individuals we serve,” she s [...]
John Kelly calls it good business. When John Kelly hired Chris, Chris occasionally would come to work frustrated over issues he was facing. John would take the time to meet with Chris before the day started, talk things out, and then both return to work. “He’s happier now,” John said. “When an employ [...]
From right, Commissioner Wolf, Sandy Biber, and Kenneth Singer Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commissioner Toni Wolf spent the day recently touring several Berkshire County Arc facilities, meeting with frontline staff members, and discussing ideas to improve the current systems for funding and delive [...]