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 [...]
By Morgan Banta-Ryan At only 21, Paola has already found her niche within BCArc. She has now worked at the Crossroads Enrichment Center for seven months, working with numerous individuals with disabilities. Calling her experience “amazing,” she sees her co-workers and individuals she serves as family [...]
By Morgan Banta-Ryan Matthew Pennell has a very busy schedule. First, he arrives at his overnight sleep-in position at around 11 p.m. In the morning, he wakes the individual in that house, prepares him for his day, and drives him to his program 9 a.m. For most of us, the day would be over after that. [...]
By Morgan Banta-Ryan Joachim immigrated from the Ivory Coast in 2004 with his wife and son in search of better opportunities for his family. They landed in New York, then moved to Florida where their son graduated high school. When their son chose to attend college in the northeast, Joachim and his w [...]
Stephany started working at BCArc so that she could enjoy a flexible work schedule that allowed her to care for her mother. Today, four years later, she now manages a program in Lanesboro, overseeing numerous staff, programs, and budgets. "The time I’ve spent working with individuals with development [...]
by Morgan Banta-Ryan “I’m proud of the way I’ve stuck around through both good and bad times.” Julie has faced many challenges since she started at BCArc six years ago. Working through the Pandemic, which brought its struggles, also created great memories with her coworkers and the individuals that l [...]
By Morgan Banta-Ryan Before Amanda came to work at Berkshire County Arc, she worked in an administrative position at a mental health clinic. The longer she worked there, the more she realized she wanted to work directly with the people who visited the clinic. While finishing her degree, she worked in [...]
Alyson (right) with Darlene, at a restaurant. by Morgan Banta-Ryan As a senior in high school, Alyson applied and received a scholarship from BCArc. Today, three years later, she is an assistant manager of a program. When asked about her favorite memory from working at BCArc, Alyson can’t pick just [...]
Ashley, with mask, and her new partner Deb. Before Ashley started working at Berkshire County Arc, she considered herself a patient person. Now, a few months in, she appreciates the lessons she learned around patience from the person she cares for. “As soon as I met Deb, she seemed very familiar an [...]