After Sarah’s family sold their Angelina’s Sub Shops in Pittsfield and Dalton, she walked in cold to BCArc’s Pittsfield office and asked for a job. “There was a group of adults with special needs who regularly came to Angelina's,” Sarah explained. “I was always happy to see them. I felt lifted every [...]
Jessica takes a break from her work at Jiminy Peak. Jessica likes to work hard at everything she does. At her current job at Jiminy Peak, she’s called efficient and diligent. Her crewmates and job coach know she will come through on her assignments. In her modern dance performances, and musicals [...]
As a relief staff worker, Marissa Messana-Banks cut the hair of a few individuals while on her shift, at no cost. “I’m a professional hairdresser. I like cutting people’s hair, it helps them feel good about themselves, so that was my approach with the individuals," she explained. When COVID hit, word [...]
Brandi Labelle plans to take the next step at Berkshire County Arc. But for now, her role as a relief employee – a substitute in the residential programs – serves her well. “I plan to grow with the company. I work like 60 hours a week, but I remain at the relief level because I get to choose my own s [...]
Berkshire County Arc supporters helped raise more than $53,500 at its 26th Annual Golf Classic at Berkshire Hills Country Club in Pittsfield on September 29, 2021. In a field of 38 teams and 150 golfers, several have attended every year since its inception. (The 2020 event was canceled due to COVID.) [...]
Guyana native. U.S. postal worker. Atlanta, Ga., realtor. Chef. Today, manager of a BCArc residential program. Call him Carlton Gump. “Home is everywhere, the Berkshires is where I rest my head,” said Carlton Deen Sr. about his ongoing adventures. He travels at least twice a month to Queens or Brookl [...]
Katherine, showing the kind of printed dress she prefers. While she loves clothes, she is careful not to spend too much of her paycheck at the store where she works. When Katherine isn’t drawing, or reading, or taking art classes, or caring for her cat, or riding on the back of dad’s motorcycle, s [...]
When Andrew first suffered a brain injury, he struggled to accept the situation. As a recovering alcoholic, he responded well to the 12-step recovery program. Staff at the Pittsfield home decided to develop their own 12-step program to help Andrew accept the fact that he has a brain injury. Andrew an [...]
Dan was awarded the "Diamond Award for Being Multifaceted" at the Staff Appreciation Event yesterday. After serving for six years in the Air Force—stationed in Japan and California—Dan Mazzacco returned to the Berkshires working at a series of jobs outside human services. “I was looking for somethi [...]
An avid sports fan, Joel Barscz talks like an athlete, even sees BCArc as a team sport, where the team can defeat any challengers. “We’re all pulling in the same direction for our guys,” he says of the direct care staff. “With all of us pulling in one direction for each individual, how can anyone sto [...]